Steering_Camgears

Volvo 240 STEERING - Cam Gears and TRW
Photos & page by Anthony Hyde
First release June 2009, Updated July 2009

Volvo's from 240's onwards use a Rack & Pinion steering system. Most are hydraulic power steer but in the 70 to early 80's manual steering was common with Power Steering being an Optional extra, much like air conditioning.

	*TRW*	ZF (awaiting info)
CAM GEARS symbol cast into racks is the ultimate identification	TRW buys CAM GEARS Ltd sometime in the mid 1980s	Germany

Cam Gear, a UK manufacturer made 'rack and pinion' steering racks for Volvo 240s & other Volvo models. The steering information below applies to the 240.
Volvo 140 uses a completely different steering system, manual steer being 'worm & roller', & Pwr steer 'ball nut' type.

For simplicity I'll term the evolution CG1, CG2 onwards.

* CG1 - Cast iron, years approx. 1975-77. Very heavy.

* CG2 - Half cast iron and half aluminium alloy. From approx 1978-81. Weight = 8.5 kg

* CG3 - Aluminium alloy with steel tube sleeve approx. 1982-86
TRW buys Cam Gears Ltd
* TRW - Aluminium alloy with steel sleeve, 1988 onwards till spares parts supply ceased. Weight = 6 kg

Although production 240s stopped in 1993, spare parts production continued. The newest 240 rack I have seen has stamp 1996 and bought through the Volvo Dealer exchange system. A system where your old rack was replaced with a brand new one - new from one tie rod end to the other. For the 240 this scheme has now ceased.
Note: All pics below are right hand steer versions (UK, Australia, NZ, Japan, South Africa)
CLICK to Enlarge

CG2 - CamGear symbol very evident - 1979 era

CG2

CG3 - CamGear symbol on far right
1984 manufactered rack (fitted to 1985 model)

CG3
Compares the old 1981 and the newer 1984 Cam gears racks.
The heavy 81 top valve body is replaced by intergrated system.

TRW - note small TRW symbol opposite one of the banjo hose bolts
Quality Cast Alloy rack with steel tube sleeve is found from year 1988 onwards.
Pic shows a late 1996 version.
The round casting at the front holds a black plastic locking plug for pre-tensioning the piston (rather than old fashioned shims), and at the bottom a pressed steel dome seals the shaft axial end.

TRW
The Volvo # number is 3516942, and TRW number 3400....
The lightest Volvo rack = 6 kg. Top rate casting quality.

Link to 240 Camgear Parts Identification

Further Reading : Scandicar
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Updated 7/2009 AH

CG2 - CamGear symbol very evident - 1979 era	CG2
CG3 - CamGear symbol on far right 1984 manufactered rack (fitted to 1985 model)	CG3 Compares the old 1981 and the newer 1984 Cam gears racks. The heavy 81 top valve body is replaced by intergrated system.
TRW - note small TRW symbol opposite one of the banjo hose bolts Quality Cast Alloy rack with steel tube sleeve is found from year 1988 onwards. Pic shows a late 1996 version. The round casting at the front holds a black plastic locking plug for pre-tensioning the piston (rather than old fashioned shims), and at the bottom a pressed steel dome seals the shaft axial end.	TRW The Volvo # number is 3516942, and TRW number 3400.... The lightest Volvo rack = 6 kg. Top rate casting quality.
Link to 240 Camgear Parts Identification