Conference vmsnet::car$note:carbuffs

    Could not find an appropriate existing entry, so...
    
    I have what appears to be a power steering problem:
    
    Symptoms:
    Vehicle=1983 volvo 240dl
    In straight and level driving, if the steering wheel is released, the
    car will begin a turn to the left. Sounds like alignment, right?
    Checked that - all is well. Then tried -very carefully on a selected
    portion of road, putting the car in neutral and turning off the engine.
    Car then tracks straight as an arrow.
    Then, put car up on jacks, started engine, wheels slowly turn full
    left.
    
    It would appear that whatever meters the fluid to the power assist
    hydraulics is putting out more pressure to one side than the other.
    Or.., the fluid is leaking past the seal on one side of the piston. 
    
    Question: Is there any way to determine whether the fault lies in the
    metering system or in the piston assembly (piston may not be the proper
    term, but I refer to the rod which is pushed out by the pressure of the
    fluid). Is this correctable, or done by replacing the meter and/or
    piston assembly?
    I would like to find a solution which does not exceed the cost of the
    vehicle.
    Or, I could just ask my son to continue to live with it. the problem is
    not terrible, just annoying.

    This kind of thing is usually fixed by replacing the rack, which has
    all of the above parts in it. It's not something that I would let go -
    it's probably going to get worse. 
    
    You could probably buy a rebuild kit and do it yourself, but it's
    usually easier and quicker to get a rebuilt rack and swap it. Special
    tools are usually needed for the rebuild. I have no knowledge of the
    Volvo specifics here, though.
    
    Chris
    
     

    I had a '83 245 that showed similar symptoms. The local shops said to
    swap the rack. However, the dealer said it was a valve of some sort in
    the pwer steering system. After replacing it and getting a new
    alignment, everything was fine for another 100k. Total cost for all was
    under 125 about 10 years ago.

    
    I had the same symptoms on an older (76) Chrysler. There was an
    adjustment ( a valve on the power steering pump if memory serves) that
    fixed the problem. Might not apply to Volvos, but thought it was worth
    mentioning.
    
    /Charlie

You can get a rebuilt rack for $229.  Why not go that route instead of pouring
money and time into the old one?

Jim

    to -1
    Because $229, for just the rebuilt rack, equals about 35% of what we
    paid for the car over a year ago.
    But, since we chose this particular vehicle because of a belief that it
    probably had several more years in it, maybe 229 is worth it.
    
    Though I much prefer the answer in -2 of an adjustment, or in -3 of a
    valve for $100.
    
    thanks folks. The collective wisdom of this conference -all conferences
    - continues to amaze me.

    the valve is what we used to call the "spool valve", though I don't
    know what it's called on these newfangled rack-and-payin systems.. it
    basically senses torque on the steering input shaft and directs the
    fluid to the correct side of the piston to help.
    
    ...tom