hello ive recently had some bad luck, seem to have sprung a leak on a rusty 1/4" high pressure metal crossover line on my power steering rack.

i removed the line in hops of recplacing with a flared brake line of the same size but unfortunately it appears that the lines terminate in a strange bubble flare o-ring style fitting. cant find a replacement and nobody locally can make one custom.

the rack is fine otherwise and dont want to replace it outright. is there any hope of a replacement?? if not is there some way i can jb weld or otherwise stop the existing line from leaking? its cracked and rusted in one spot. getting desperate for a fix as i have no running cars at the moment. thanks! will post a photo of the line when i get home

 

I had the same problem with a 240 I purchased ten years ago. Fortunately for me I had a wrecked 240 with a good rack and I transferred the whole rack from the donor car. Repairing the line with JB Weld will not work as the pressure in that line is very high. Only solution is to find someone to fabricate a new line or get a rebuilt rack. You could try getting the line from a junkyard - if you can even find a 240 in a junkyard - but more thank likely it would be in a similar condition as yours.

 

I drove a 240 for a week without power steering. once you're rolling, you hardly notice, its only an issue when parking. if you're desperate for transportation, remove the belt driving the PS pump, and give it a try.

 

i cant seem to find anyone to make one for me as the line ends are very uncommon. guess il just look for a parts rack and drive without pwr steering for now. really dont want to shell the money out for a new rack if its just a stinkin line

 

I've driven my '89 740 without power steering for about 3 years now...drove a Dodge Colt for about 5 years without power steering.

As previously stated...once your rolling at speed there is no issue...it's only while parking that ya have to really pull on the steering wheel.

 

I have a 1965 F100 pickup truck that never had power steering :-p 300CID straight 6, 3-on-the-tree transmission. no power assist on the 4 wheel drum brakes, too.

 

Is there any additional cause for concern if going without functional power steering for an extended period of time? Any extra wear on the rack itself that could eventually cause a dangerous steering issue randomly? A 740 I purchased recently has a leaking hard-line like this. On my 740 however, I can't just remove the belt that runs the pump, as it also runs the waterpump.

Sorry, don't mean to threadjack, but thought my question would fit this thread better than starting a new thread.

 

Hello 244Life,

Did you ever find a replacement for your line. I'm in the same boat. Spoke with the dealer, and they are backordered with no estimated date of availability.

Appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks,

 

Its an ISO DIN bobble flare. It might help to know if the rack is a ZF or CAM. Trying to find individual parts for steering racks is probably impossible except for things like boots and links. I've had good luck with JB Weld if you wrap the patch with some sheet metal for reinforcement. Alternately, go to a auto parts store and ask for a rebuilt rack for your car and ask what other cars use that rack. Then go to pick-n-pull and take just the line. Tell the cashier its a brake line.

 

Any pick n pull type yard should have this part as long as they have older type Volvos, or try Voluparts.com. He will find you one.

 

hey!
still driving my 240 without power steering. kinda used to it now.

i looked everywhere, tried to find people with racks i can take lines from but there are a few different models of racks and most of the time the lines are rusty.

i did a lot of looking to try and get one custom made, sent it out somewhere specialty and the guy said he couldn't replicate the type of flare. i gave up!
best of luck to you!!

 

Not the answer I was hoping for, but do appreciate the response.

I called Strandbergs (WI) & Voluparts (GA) neither were optimistic.

Visited two foreign auto shops and a hydraulic shop today, no luck. Have two more shops in my town to visit.

Certified Transmission is based here, thought I'd give them a try.

Thanks for everyone's help.
Will report back with what I learn.

 

Not the answer I was hoping for, but do appreciate the response.

I called Strandbergs (WI) & Voluparts (GA) neither were optimistic.

Visited two foreign auto shops and a hydraulic shop today, no luck. Have two more shops in my town to visit.

Certified Transmission is based here, thought I'd give them a try.

Thanks for everyoneveryone's help.
Will report back with what I learn.

Looking for #31.

 

Did an image search for "o ring flare" and found this:
https://autoplicity.com/6190093-gate...ngcomnofitment

 

Thank you for looking. I may give that a try, see if I can bend it into shape. Talking with a local hydraulic shop, they offered to assemble an intermediary if I could find the flares and have enough material to lock onto.

Also learned that there is a new part number, which supercedes the last. I placed an order for this new #1330228 with IPD. Fingers crossed.

 

IPD came through, new line is in and PS is functional. Of note, the fitting on the end of the rack was not easy to tighten. Numerous 7/16th wrenches to turn a degree or two, w/o rounding it out.

16 year old daughter gets to drive the car I bought for her 16 years ago (literally the week of her birth).

IPD's invoice info for future reference

Item #: 236452
Description: RACK AND PINION HARD LINE
Qty Ordered: 1
Qty Pending: 1
Net Price: $55.95

 

Tasca came through. I have an extra power steering line. I should never need it, so available to anyone to keep their trusty 240 going.

Still sealed in the bag

 

this is literally a gem for someone. my indy made one for me... not sure how he did it but it works..

 

Silvermine, looks like I have the bookend to your 240. Kuddos to your indy. I shopped all over, fittings could not be found. Going forward I have original line, one fitting can be used. In the future if anyone needs it, I'll pay it forward. Also, if reading this thread in five plus years, please cut your line in the middle, to save the fittings and the stubs. From what I learned, most hydraulic shops could have created an intermediary.

 

Thanks for the Volvo parts diagram, and thanks for the very clear pictures. About 10 years ago I got a hydraulic shop in Bethel Connecticut to use the line ends with connectors on them and he brazed in a new section of line which he bent to match close enough that I could get the fittings in alignment for screwing in. That was on my 1989 Volvo 245. I think he's still in business, at least was about 3 years ago. I will look up the company name and contact info for anyone in the future.
I also have a 1988 245 with rusted steel lines. I have misplaced one of the end fittings. I know eventually I will find it, and the car' s off the road right now anyway. I'm driving my 1992 245 for a couple of years now.