Depending on where you are in NY, check out how far you are from Harry's U Pull It in Hazelton, Pa. Good sets of alloys generally available for about $30/wheel, which is oodles cheaper than you'll find them online.

Being a member of the burned valve club myself, I'm starting to think that we ought to be recommending replacing valve stem seals as preventive maintenance around 175 K miles for the white blocks.

When badly rusted, my removal tool of choice is a Dremel with a cut off wheel.

Ok, so for anyone considering a 4C replacement on a 2006 V70R AWD, auto box, made in Ghent in 11/05, be aware that the electrical connector on the replacement strut you receive may not be compatible with the engine bay receptacle for that strut. It was a new issue for FCP which is researching a solu...

Well, here for my serving of humble pie. I was going by the illustration in VIDA to locate the appropriate plug. Turns out the engine compartment receptacle identified in the VIDA drawing is incorrect. Monroe struts sent by FCP were the correct parts. My brother and I finished the install today. The...

In a precautionary move, I will be replacing the thermostat as a 150k mile service item.

Water pump too. Wife wants it done and she is paying for it so. . . Coolant flush and new radiator hoses too.

Test drive for at least a half hour (no, I am not kidding). You need to warm up the transmission fluid to see if you are going to have issues -- harsh/ delayed shifts mostly. There are a number of potential transmission issues with '01s. Lots to read on this site. Problems mostly addressed by '03. M...

There are folks who install non 4 C struts and have not had problems driving their cars afterward. Not sure about error messages though. I'm pretty sure you would get them. Buy the 4C from FCP. It is a little painful on the wallet (I only did the fronts) and you'll only buy them once. Car drives lik...

I am at 100 thanks (not "over") any chance of a freebie royal, medium?

(My wife thinks I'm "special".)

Bridgewater Volvo did two driver's airbag safety recall replacements for me. In and out in 35 min.

First appointments of the day. No hassles and prompt service. Can't ask for more, but I lost my nice "R" leather steering wheel center boss.