Strange noise near the steering wheel in steering column S70 98

[Henry n]

I have a 1998 S70 with 105K miles on it. For some reason about 2 month
back my car had developed a strange noise that comes behind the
steering wheel in the steering column. It is a scweeking noise when I
trun the steering. I checked and I have my steering fluid level at
right level. Interestingly enough when I added a bit more steering
fluid the noise deappeared for a little while. Also when the noise re-
appeared again, I just sprayed WD40 (lubricant) between the steering
wheel and steering column and it worked for a while too. Any idea what
might be the cause of this noise and how to diagnose it?

 

[James Sweet]

I have a 1998 S70 with 105K miles on it. For some reason about 2 month
back my car had developed a strange noise that comes behind the
steering wheel in the steering column. It is a scweeking noise when I
trun the steering. I checked and I have my steering fluid level at
right level. Interestingly enough when I added a bit more steering
fluid the noise deappeared for a little while. Also when the noise re-
appeared again, I just sprayed WD40 (lubricant) between the steering
wheel and steering column and it worked for a while too. Any idea what
might be the cause of this noise and how to diagnose it?

I had this in my 740 and found the hose to the boost gauge was rubbing
on the shaft under the dash. Could also be the bearing there, WD-40 is
worthless as a lubricant, pick up a spray can of lithium grease, teflon,
etc, something that leaves a film of lubricant.

 

[Henry n]

I had this in my 740 and found the hose to the boost gauge was rubbing
on the shaft under the dash. Could also be the bearing there, WD-40 is
worthless as a lubricant, pick up a spray can of lithium grease, teflon,
etc, something that leaves a film of lubricant.

Thank you James,
I'll try lithium grease and see weather the noise disappears for a
longer while.

There is a semitrasparent plastic enclosure that encloses part that
connects steerig wheel with steering rod(? possibly having a bearing
in there). The plastic has a little crack in it, so I'm wondering what
is that part called and what is it for? Maybe the luricant evaporated
out of it, or I'm totally of the mark?
Thank you.

 

[Jeff Savage]

Thank you James,
I'll try lithium grease and see weather the noise disappears for a
longer while.

There is a semitrasparent plastic enclosure that encloses part that
connects steerig wheel with steering rod(? possibly having a bearing
in there). The plastic has a little crack in it, so I'm wondering what
is that part called and what is it for? Maybe the luricant evaporated
out of it, or I'm totally of the mark?
Thank you.

There is a common squeak to these S70 V70 as the steering goes through the
fire wall ---- go to the website http://volvospeed.com/bay13.htm
then click enter and then S/V/C 70 Steering Bearing - How to lubricate
squeeking steering.

This is an easy 10 minute job at best and needs doing every couple of years.

This should sort it out for you. And if you have an 850 / S70 / V70 this
page should be bookmarked permanently.

Good luck
Jeff

 

[Henry n]

There is a common squeak to these S70 V70 as the steering goes through the
fire wall ---- go to the websitehttp://volvospeed.com/bay13.htm
then click enter and then      S/V/C 70 Steering Bearing - How to lubricate
squeeking steering.

This is an easy 10 minute job at best and needs doing every couple of years.

This should sort it out for you.  And if you have an 850 / S70  / V70this
page should be bookmarked permanently.

Good luck
Jeff- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Thank you Jeff, will try to do this on the weekend. I really like that
there are photos that show how to do the job starting with the
bearing. It would be really great to add a picture or two on how to
get to the exact place starting with the kick panel being in its
place. Since I've never took of the kick pannel and not exactly sure
how to do that, I'm planning to spend extra time figuring it out. Any
pointers would help. Will post the restults once I tried it.

 

[Jeff Savage]

Thank you Jeff, will try to do this on the weekend. I really like that
there are photos that show how to do the job starting with the
bearing. It would be really great to add a picture or two on how to
get to the exact place starting with the kick panel being in its
place. Since I've never took of the kick pannel and not exactly sure
how to do that, I'm planning to spend extra time figuring it out. Any
pointers would help. Will post the restults once I tried it.

I don't remember removing any kick panel, just the twisted back and front
seat laid right back position, or put your legs under the car and just lean
forward into the foot well - it will all make sense once you start.
Good luck
Jeff

 

[Tim..]

I have a 1998 S70 with 105K miles on it. For some reason about 2 month
back my car had developed a strange noise that comes behind the
steering wheel in the steering column. It is a scweeking noise when I
trun the steering. I checked and I have my steering fluid level at
right level. Interestingly enough when I added a bit more steering
fluid the noise deappeared for a little while. Also when the noise re-
appeared again, I just sprayed WD40 (lubricant) between the steering
wheel and steering column and it worked for a while too. Any idea what
might be the cause of this noise and how to diagnose it?

It's the slip rings for the horn. They all do it when cold. Goes away when
the interior warms up abit. Don't worry about it!

Tim..

 

[Henry n]

It's the slip rings for the horn. They all do it when cold. Goes away when
the interior warms up abit. Don't worry about it!

Tim..

It actually sounds like it is coming right below the steering wheel,
not as far as the bearing. It does go away in a bit, yet it's fairly
annoying. Will try the bearing fix this weekend just in case -
hopefully it's not hard.

Yet you are right and it is a slip ring, is it hard to fix? Are they
expensive? Any pointers to places that cell them on-line (are they
officially called slip rings).

 

[Tim..]

It actually sounds like it is coming right below the steering wheel,
not as far as the bearing. It does go away in a bit, yet it's fairly
annoying. Will try the bearing fix this weekend just in case -
hopefully it's not hard.

Yet you are right and it is a slip ring, is it hard to fix? Are they
expensive? Any pointers to places that cell them on-line (are they
officially called slip rings).

Not sure what the official Volvo term would be, but we call them slip rings.

I would not attempt to replace it yourself, unless you are perfectly
experienced with safely dis-arming, removing, storing, and then refitting
the airbag, as the steering wheel has to come off to reach the slip-ring
unit, which is mounted on the steering column, directly below the steering
wheel. I would say that a light coating with graphite or perhaps copper
grease is all it would need to silence it, rather than replacement.

Tim..

 

[Henry n]

Not sure what the official Volvo term would be, but we call them slip rings.

I would not attempt to replace it yourself, unless you are perfectly
experienced with safely dis-arming, removing, storing, and then refitting
the airbag, as the steering wheel has to come off to reach the slip-ring
unit, which is mounted on the steering column, directly below the steering
wheel. I would say that a light coating with graphite or perhaps copper
grease is all it would need to silence it, rather than replacement.

Tim..

Thank you for the responses. I've gone through the instructions on
http://volvospeed.com/bay13.htm and re-lubricated the bearing ring.
It was an easy thing to do, I think it will take longer to clean-up
the grease that got on the carpeting near the steering column. The
noise disappeared, but then I haven't driven the car too much this
weekend. Will try it this week and see if the problem is fixed.

 

[Henry n]

It's been a few weeks and the noise haven't returned. I've driven the
car for a few weeks now and put at least 200 miles - so I guess re-
lubricating the bearing ring got rid of the noise.

James, Tim, Jeff, thank you all for the support!

 

[Jeff Savage]

No worries, Bay 13 has saved me a few times.
Jeff

 

[Henry n]

After a few weeks the noise re-appeared. I suspect I used the wrong
grease. Could anyone recommend right grease for the bearing? What is
it called in the stores (Kragen, AutoZone) and approximately how much
it runs?
Thank you,

Henry

 

[Stephen Henning]

After a few weeks the noise re-appeared. I suspect I used the wrong
grease. Could anyone recommend right grease for the bearing? What is
it called in the stores (Kragen, AutoZone) and approximately how much
it runs?

Are you sure it is not the turn signal wheel that rubs against the
steering wheel shaft? That would be a lot easier to get at and even
replace if necessary.

 

[Henry n]

Are you sure it is not the turn signal wheel that rubs against the
steering wheel shaft? That would be a lot easier to get at and even
replace if necessary.
--
Cheers, Steve Henning in Reading, PA, USA
Owned '67,'68,'71,'74,'79,'81,'87,'93,'95 & '01 Volvos.
The '67,'74,'79,'87,'95 and '01 through European Delivery.
http://rhodyman.net/homevo.html

Thank you for responses. I've used different grease and the noise is
gone now for a couple of month! So I think it was the right diagnosis
for my car