Steering feels tight and loose after minor crash

BarelyRunning

The vehicle in question is a 1994 940, 120,000km. I'm repairing it after some very minor front end damage.

The car drives fine going straight, no odd noises while turning, but the steering wheel is very noticeably tight in certain spots, and loose in others, almost like air in the system, but way more aggressive.

I've got the front in the air currently, and all the joints/bushes seem fine, no excessive play including on the inner tie rods. I've disconnected the rack from the struts, and the struts rotate pretty freely. With the struts disconnected, if I push/pull the tie rods to move the rack, it feels consistent with how the steering wheel feels, hard to move in some areas and easy in others, but no obvious areas where there's free play. If I'm pulling and let go, it will return the other direction in some areas.

I'm assuming the rack may have got slightly bent or something similar in the accident? The fluid is clean, and at the correct level. Before I go ahead and swap in another rack, I'm after everyone's usual fantastic opinions.

Philia_Bear

How's it feel with the front end in the air and the engine running?

If the effort is not even then that's a rack issue for sure

BarelyRunning

Philia_Bear
How's it feel with the front end in the air and the engine running?
If the effort is not even then that's a rack issue for sure

The effort definitely isn't even. Not hard to move, but not consistent through the range. Hard to explain, but if I move the steering wheel with consistent motions and let go, it will either stay where it is (normal), or rotate another 180°ish as if I'd moved it aggressively.

Philia_Bear

BarelyRunning
https://ozvolvo.org/discussion/comment/217825#Comment_217825
The effort definitely isn't even. Not hard to move, but not consistent through the range. Hard to explain, but if I move the steering wheel with consistent motions and let go, it will either stay where it is (normal), or rotate another 180°ish as if I'd moved it aggressively.

That sounds like the power assist valves in the rack are fucked

jamesinc

Yeah the valves are the only thing that comes to mind for me also. It sounds like you've ruled out everything else already. It's either that or some damage to the pinion I guess?

Is the tight spot in the steering always with the steering wheel in the same positions?

BarelyRunning

jamesinc
Yeah the valves are the only thing that comes to mind for me also. It sounds like you've ruled out everything else already. It's either that or some damage to the pinion I guess?
Is the tight spot in the steering always with the steering wheel in the same positions?

It's hard to say, I think it's the same positions? Could be completely wrong though. I'll need to disconnect the steering uni joints to change rack, so I guess I could test them as a last attempt, but I think there's too much feedback in the steering wheel for it to simply be the joints. Guess I'm committed to a rack swap this week.