I have a great 88 240 DL sedan, with 160k miles on it. Maintained, well kept, drives like a top. Went to bed Friday, got up Saturday and just like a like switch, it went from 160k to 160,001 and it drives "different".

Suddenly I have a little stiffness when I turn right, a little wobble when I bear left and more play in steering wheel than ever - for a car that has always hugged the road like a volvo should.

Any ideas? My ex husband who had an 88 BMW 528e had a similiar experience at about 200k miles and was told it was u joints. He continued to drive the car for another 85k miles until he got a $950 repair quote, then he took off the road and bought a newer BMW.

Is this just normal routine steering/suspension maintenance on any car at about 160k miles -especially a 17 year old car. FYI...the undercarriage on the car is rust free- like new.
I appreciate any advice before I take it into a mechanic so I know what to expect. Prices as well on repair if it is u joints - and anything else it might be. I did have my routine guy check tires, tire pressure, power steering -its none of that.

I spoke to a volvo mechanic who wants me to bring the car in and says it sounds more like linkage and is fairly dangerous since I could lose steering control "at any minute". Any other advice?

 

At 160 k it is fairly usual for the ball joints and bushings in the front suspenion to be fairly worn. I replaced mine at 220k and it returned to like new condition. There are also two tie rod ends, one at each wheel and two replaceable steering rack ends under the rubber gators (accordian looking things on each side of the steering rack) Do you have a mechanic you trust? I would be hesitant to use the volvo mechanic because he is using scare tactics. Yes ball joints and tie rod ends break but this is rare. Changing a ball joints or tie rod ends is not a bad job on a volvo. From your description of difficult turning I would suspect a rusted ball joint. Replacing bushings is a time consuming and I would think expensive if you are having the work done. The usual indication that you need this is the tires are wearing funny on the front. The steering rack ends rarely go bad. Ball Joints and/ or tie rod ends are probably what your car needs to be back the way it was. Take it to someone you trusy that you know to be fair I do not think it is out of line to spend $200-$450 or so for this (ball joints and tie rod ends + alignment). A stealership er... I mean dealership will charge more. I hope this has helped you.

 

I inject oil into my BJ and tie rod end rubber caps to keep them "limber" as they don't accomodate grease fittings.


FWIW