Hi all have not been around for a long time (about 5 years!) our volvo has developed a leak in the steering rack , the fluid is very dark and probably needs replacing as its 15 years old , its a spare car now as selling it was not worth it in my country (we fortunately have lots of space ) has anyone tried the various stop leak additives or should I just have it fixed? I assume the rack will have to come out and will be quite costly . vehicle has 126k on or around 80 000 miles on . If an additive will work then I assume I must first replace the fluid.

 

A lot depends on just how bad the rack is leaking. I never had to mess with the rack on my V50, but don't recall it looking all THAT difficult. But yeah, it wouldn't be a bad idea to flush the old fluid, and then add some PS stop leak (can't tell you which works best - I'd recommend perusing the feedback on Amazon, especially those who mention "Volvo" in their feedback). This isn't what I'd do for a car that I was planning on driving another 100,000 miles, but is a sensible thing to attempt on a vehicle that's coasting its way to the boneyard currently. ;-)

 

Where is the leak exactly?

Do you work on your own cars?

 

The leak is from the steering rack driver (right) side , I do most work on my older cars (regular service, brakes etc) , I can remove the rack but dont have the expertise to service it , I will try the stop leak with a flush and if that does not work will probably take it out and have it serviced

 

 

Thanks all have changed the fluid (most of it) and added a stop leak 300ml of it , will wait for a few days and see

 

Good luck. I have never had any luck with fixes in a bottle. Not one.

 

Well a few days later and unfortunately the leak is back , it seem to stop for a while but obviously the bottle fix is no good , I got a good quote to fix it including removal so will do that as the monies saved by removing myself is not worth it and the guarantee then falls away , the cost is about 300 us from a steering specialist

 

I took the car to a steering specialist and as its a spare car left it there for 2 days , they contacted me to say there is no leak! they changed the fluid again as my attempt did not fully purge it cost was minimal , have been using the car daily and all seems fine now I am dumfounded

 

I took the car to the specialist and left it there for 2 days , they contacted me to say there is no leak , they removed the boots and all dry , I told them I changed the fluid and added stop leak , they said that it must be purged as the stop leak can block pipes , so now a few weeks later and all fine after using it daily , so will just continue to use it and see ,cost was minimal

 

I would try a good quality stop leak first also is it leaking where the pipes go into the rack cuz if it is theres washers or ohrings there that seal it n they could simply be perished however if its leaking at the seals there the inner tie rods are joined onto the rack either side then it's a rack replacement job if the seal treatment ir stop leak doesn't work

 

Still no leak , I used Wynns power steering conditioner but it was flushed out after a few days by the garage, so will see in time

 

Richard, did you clean out the fluid from the bellows at the end of the leaking rack? If not, the fluid that's stuck there will continue to leak, even if you've "fixed" the rack with an additive (which is very possible, BTW - if only temporarily, whether that means two weeks or five years).