Sounds like alot of work to me, Id scrap it and find another one. JMO

without seeing it, its hard to say if it is worth it or not. also what you will be up against is a factor too. i would take a preran volvo over an escort or neon any day but not a pacer or foxbody. will you be swapping the drivetrain also? im pretty sure the volvo engine is interference so if you lost the timing belt chances are that engine is junk. it sounds like the rules allow a lot of modification, volvos are tough but can be made very solid with work.

had one like that a few years ago, pulled frame back down with chains/binders/jackstands & floor jack on a trailer, took a while but it worked. try cutting down an s-10 core support and weld it in.

I'm just curious, have any of you guys had any problems with the steering on these as far as the columns? ...basically should i worry at all about making a homemade steering column?

steering colum no,rack & pinion, yes, tie rod ends yes.

smashbob, you change out the whole rack on them? what do you replace them with?

I knew the balljoints, control arms, and struts were weak on volvos but didnt know i had to worry about the steering too.

i've been thinking about trying to find different control ams that would bolt up to it.,any ideas?

only lost 1 complete rack out of my cars. the weak spot on the tie rods is a flat spot on the inner rod to use for adjustment just reinforce tie rod.  rumor says the 700-900 series have a beefier a-frame. haven't checked yet.

ok, thanks for the good info.