2000 S80 T6 with 108,000 miles:
I've been having an issue with the power steering for the past week. The steering became progressively stiff over 2 days, and making the sound of a roller coaster. As i looked in the power steering bottle and is was pretty much empty. I happened to be in a plaza with an auto zone so i filled it with some prestone fluid. The problem immediately resolved, so i though nothing of it. The next 24 hours having the same problem, so I refilled it. I check out the forum at some past posts, and so that i should have been using dexron III/mercon, which I hadn't been using, though the manuel says use ATF. I don't think this is the problem but the fluid is surely being consumed. I see no leaks and no bubbling and no odd coloring in the fluid. And the plastic tubing in the bottle appears to be intact. I'm not all that mechanically savy.

Does anyone have any ideas before I take it in the the mech? How much this might cost if a smallor large problem. Possible replacement parts, Correct fluid type?

Thanks in advance for your comments,
Nas

 

I went to Volvo Delearship, I've had the power steering tank replaced because something similar happened to me. It ran me about 180$ - 25$(discount) so in total it was like 155$.

 

You should be using synthetic power steering fluid NOT ATF.

You could have a leak at the bottle or one of the lines at the steering lines both are very common.

 

Is the dexron III/mercon the synthetic stuff, or is the synthetic stuff something different (cost of it) ?
And if there is a leak in the steering lines, what is the estimated cost for that?

Thanks again for all the support

 

If the lines are leaking it is usually only a loose nut.Which usually only needs to be tightened.
http://www.wynnsusa.com/new_en.aspx#steering
Try to find that fluid. It is about half way down. Universal synthetic power steering fluid.

 

thanks a lot; i'll let you know what happens

 

Unfortunately, the mechanic said there is a significant leak coming from the passanger side seal. He said he couldnt get his hand on the part. I'll therefore be forced to go to the dealer, who priced the rack at $1700. Well, thats what it is looking like.

 

Rack for $660:

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...mp;catalogid=1

 

Just make sure you buy the right one.

 

thanks for the website. I will definitely try to get a deal before going through the dealer. About how long might it take to replace the steering rack (for labor rates)? and is there anything else that should be replaced while doing this?

 

Labor is around 3 hours if I remember correctly.
The back part of the subframe needs to be dropped to replace it.

 

Well, power steering issue is taken care of, and she is riding smooth as ever. I ended up going to another shop, who was able to find the peice with variable assistance for 770, so after that, an alignment, and labor => $ 1200.
Much better than the dealers peice for $1700.

Thanks for all of teh help