My XC90 steering is sloppy and cannot control at higher speeds. It tends to steer by itself and needs constant adjustment to keep it straight. I have replaced the control arm ball joint and tie-rods but the sloppyness is still there. Is it that my steering rack or the u-joint might be causing this?

 

You replaced both sides?

 

Yes, I've replaced both sides of the control amr ball joints and inner & outer tie-rods as well as the right control arm bushing as there was a tear.

 

Maybe slack in the rack.
But I know they are a little loose when driving on the highway.

So all the control are bushings are new?

Does it pull hard to one side when accelerating?

 

Yes steering feels loose and hard to control. It tends to pull to the left most of the time.

 

How do I remedy a slacked rack?

 

If it was the rack then you would have to replace it.

But I would go over every bushing and part in the front suspension.

We had one that had a bad control arm bushing it pulled really hard to one side under acceleration then went straight when the gas was let off.

replaced both control arms all was fine.

 

I am commenting on this issue because I'm actually looking into a 04 xc90 and found out that there's an open recall on the ball joints. This may be related? XC90, were they replaced by the dealer via the recall?

 

yes, the outer tie rods were replaced under recall. I have visually checked the bushings in the front suspensions and looks to be OK. The camber have been adjusted but it still tend to steer to the left.

 

Yesterday went to workshop and adjusted the rack, feels better now but the pull to the left still there

 

you might just want to try an alignment. what year do you have?

 

it's a model year 2004

 

Never knew the rack was adjustable.
Do you have new tires on it?

 

Tightened the nut located below the rack where the rack and steering column connect. I had my tyres changed about 9 months ago.

 

Is it possible one of the front shock absorber is bent?

 

Possible but doubt it.
If you can try rotating the tires and see if the pull goes away.
Or just swap the 2 front tires.

 

I had my tyres rotated back in november last year, and feels the same

 

Try criss crossing the fronts.

 

You mean, the right front wheel to the rear left wheel?

 

No swap R/F and L/F