New member with a question. Volvo dealer says I have excessive play in power steering rack on my 70,000 mile, 2002 S60. Tech told me he could feel the play with his hand. They want $2,835 to replace steering rack, couplings, hoses and allignment. Is this reasonable? Thanks.

Urge in WI

 

Urge,
I can't help but think that anyone handing you an estimate for $2800 is trying to screw you. When I had a similar problem with my 15+ year old Maxima it was only the ball joints, so I had the lower control arms replaced. Cost me $100 a side with labor included (Cheap parts). With something as new as your car I highly doubt that your steering rack could need replacing. I'd try my best to find an independent European specialty garage and start having your work performed there.

 

Thanks for the advice. An independent facility is best for mebut not easy to find in this part of the world. I'll look harder.

 

Ouch!

I would get a second opinion.

There are several components in the suspension that wear out, e.g. a-arm bushings/sway bar link rods/ball joints/inner tie rod ball joints/struts and upper strut plates, ok everything wears out on these cars! Even with only 70k!

If the inner tie rods are bad, this could be confused as a bad steering rack.

B

 

At somewhere around 30,000 miles the steering rack in my 02 c70 was replaced............ The rest of the suspension is original and tight.. Perhaps it is the rack?

r.

 

"At somewhere around 30,000 miles the steering rack in my 02 c70 was replaced............ The rest of the suspension is original and tight.. Perhaps it is the rack?"

These are two totally different suspensions and steering racks.

It's not unheard of that the rack might be bad, but the probability of other components being defective is very high. And the price tag suggests something other than just a rack, or they're being overcharged.

B

 

well.............if there is play in the wheel..................I would look towards the rack first.

 

jack up the front of your car, both front wheels of the ground then grab the left and right sides of your tire and move it left and right. perhaps compare it to a different car it should be fairly firm (the key should be in position ll, but the car should not be running)

if there is play talk to another shop because that is way too much.
$75 for an alignment
$250 for couplings and hoses
and $500 for the rack minus the parts about $700 + or - $50

ide guess it should cost between 1200-1700 all said and done.