Steering rack
 

My daughter just brought my 97 Avant back and there is a rubbing noise in the steering column. It sounds as if it is deep in the dash. The wheel turn smoothly but the noise is driving me nuts.

Has anyone else had this? What is the fix?

It may not be related but I have heard about problems with the rack bolts - How do you check them?

RE: Steering rack
 

On my Volvo 850 (any car for that matter) there is a collar used as a ?bearing? between the passenger cabin and the engine bay. Volvo used plastic to make their collar and when it wore out would make a grinding/squeak sound. The only long-term solution was to change the collar, but on advice from others on the Volvo board, I used white lithium grease to shut it up. Worked for me. Now of course I have no idea if this is your problem but just an idea.

Jeff

RE: Steering rack
 

Thanks Jeff I hope it is that simple...

RE: Steering rack
 

I found the answer. -

I noticed the squeek when I had the car on jack stands and was working on the brakes. Once I got it on the ground the squeek disappeared. One of the front tie rods was rubbing on the rubber boot on the fender well.

RE: Steering rack
 

Did it make that sound while you were driving too? Like a little bump here and there or a slight tick.

RE: Steering rack
 

When it was on the jack stands it was a continuous rubbing/squeeking sound. Now that it is on the ground it seems OK.