I have a 2006 xc90. 2 wheel drive, 2.5L engine. Approximately 186K miles. I had a small shimmy in the front end when I put the brakes on which I assumed was the rotors. Took it to a mechanic, he told me it was the lower control arms and that I had a left rear tie rod end that was worn. So he replaced them. I drove it a few miles down the road to get the front end aligned because the mechanic didn't do alignments. After the alignment the car would not steer properly. When I made a turn in either direction it felt like the outer edge of the tires was rolling under. Like maybe it had to much camber and in a tight turn such as going into a parking spot the tire would grab and turn the steering wheel the all the way into the turn. I could hold the wheel where I wanted it but, if I didn't hold it the tires would grab and turn it into the direction of the turn. And the wheel would not return to center. So I took it back. They aligned it again. It was better but not right. I took it back to the mechanic twice and he cannot find the problem but suggested that the alignment guys may have damaged the rack. So I took it to Volvo. They aligned it again. They supposedly looked at every piece of front end parts and cannot find the problem. They contacted mother Volvo. Still no answers. Volvo suggested it could be the rack. So the car drives ok in a strait line or on the highway but, the farther I go into a turn the less the steering wants to return to center and if I turn the wheels all the way it does not return to center at all without me steering it back. When I brake hard at highway speed it also has a tendency to dive to the left. It is not hard to steer. There is no noise that I can tell. Any ideas what is going on here? Volvo wants $2,200 to replace the rack but, can't guarantee that's the problem. The mechanic wants a little less but, either way that's a chunk of money without knowing if it will solve the issue. Thanks for any help as at this point my Volvo is only serving as a yard ornament. One other question. Can anyone tell me how to tell if this model has electronic steering control?

 

What kind of control arms did you use? If they are cheap aftermarket ones, they could be the cause.

 

Not really sure. The mechanic put them on but I know they weren't Volvo. Can check into it. Would they be flexing or what?

 

I've seen aftermarket ones where the bushings are too soft. Usually causes a pull when braking, but it can cause this as well (this problem is often seen when the control arm bushings are torn).

 

So is there anyway to tell if this is the problem short of changing them out?

 

Not really. But there really isn't a way to damage the rack by just doing an alignment so I doubt it's the rack. If the control arms were $75 for the pair, I'd take my chances that those are the problem.

 

The mechanic says the lower control arms are Uro Parts. Looked on the internet most everybody says Uro parts are cheap junk especially the rubber. Wonderful!

 

Haven't gone back to the mechanic yet to see what he'll do about it but thanks for the help ES6T.

 

Yep, I'm in the camp that says anything with rubber go OEM or HD performance aftermarket (ie the polyurethane bushings available from IPD and others). Poly bushings are firmer so you get better handling with more road "feel" (ie some harshness/vibrations). I did poly on an Audi Quattro and did notice the harshness, particularly when cold. The benefit is you can press in poly control arm without special tools (pop em in the freezer and they shrink enough to push in)

 

Moved to XC90 section. Welcome to VF

 

Well, one good note. The mechanic agreed to change the lower control arms to Volvo parts for the additional cost of the parts. No labor. Seems there are others with a similar issue. I'll let you know how it turns out.

 

Any updates? I’m having exactly the same problem.

 

Me too. I don’t understand people who simply leave the topic, there is no respect for the one who tried to help him..