On the drivers side, in my '98, it makes QUITE a difference in stiffness and steadies the steering wheel. I wrote up this experience in my big thread. I too originally thought it was solely to meet impact standards. I think on >= 99's it's been replaced with a metal tube with a hard foam pad where ...

The removal of the drivers side knee bolster caused a problem for someone. That was because on the car in question nothing else was bracing the steering colum at the lower middle point, e.g. it was a bit loose. The thread in question is over on VS. Knee bolsters aren't supposed to contribute to the ...

Headlights are incredibly complex so this is more of a rough explanation than a comprehensive, scientific paper. Volvo S70 and V70 from 1996 (MY1997) to 2000 (MY2000) have a very simple, basic headlight design: A molded, shaped reflector is used as the basis to form the light pattern. Certain parts ...

If the headlights are in perfect condition a 'three times as bright as OEM bulb' will blind oncoming traffic. Doesn't matter if the headlights are aimed correctly and the cutoff(s) are right, the light is just much to bright. If the headlights are in bad condition it will be worse. A pitted lens wil...

The US market got immobilizers beginning with model year 1999. It's the chip & antenna type system. Other markets got immobilizers as early as 1994 (and model year 1994). Some of these systems were dealer installed. Model year 1996 and up got factory installed immobilizers with the chip & an...

[...] NA 2.4L option [ citation needed ] [...] As far as I know Volvo only produced (first generation) AWD models with turbocharged engines. 850 AWD and V70 XC only came with the 2.4L turbo (193PS) engines; R AWD models with 2.3L turbo or 2.4L turbo engines. As previously stated they made 2.0L turbo...

In the US, the 2.4L was the only option for the V70 XC, if I recall correctly, but other markets had turbo-less XC's available. :) All V70 XC models were turbocharged. The 2.4L turbo was the only option in most countries, a 2.0L turbo version was made for places with high taxes on large displacemen...

I'd advise anyone NOT to do what is described above. Check resistance of the system at the connector in the trunk area. You will need to remove the cargo floor to get to it. If resistance does not change in a linear way or changes infrequently that will be the problem. Because your car is AWD there ...

For some of the roof racks there are replacement parts available from Volvo and/or Thule. This includes rubber strips but depends on which variant of roof rack you have. What's the parts number for yours?

I don't know if it helps but here is an '00 R (silver) currently for sale by private party, listed for $5800. Sioux City is not your area but at least it is upper midwest. http://desmoines.craigslist.org/cto/5484863528.html Interesting accessories on that one. OEM AWD trailer hitch is unusual on a ...