Volvo design disasters

Post by **matthew1** » 18 Apr 2014, 16:37

> Volvo 850 drink holder above window switches

What do you think goes in the VDD Hall of Fame™?

Post by **jimmy57** » 18 Apr 2014, 17:15

I think they sublet that design to the company that made the window switches.

Post by **kcodyjr** » 18 Apr 2014, 17:18

+1 vote for the drink holders. That's gotta be their worst.

No gripe post would be complete without mentioning the PCV system, buried under the intake manifolds and prone to periodic clogging.

Also, a vote of shame for those models that need to remove the fuel tank or cut through sheet metal to access the fuel pump assembly.

Let's also gently ding them for vulcanizing the bushings right onto the front sway bars.

Post by **jimmy57** » 18 Apr 2014, 17:56

The in-tank fuel pump are a universal issue for all car makes. The worst of these have tanks welded together where there is no serviceable pump or filter. You replace the tank. Volvo didn't get that stupid (some BMW 3 series 2003-2005 and a couple of others).

Vacuum to extend HVAC servos are a classic stupid one. Sealing the moving rod that not only goes in-out but moves side to side and has to be sealed with a boot is a big fail.

A/C clutch, power windows and sunroof all on the same fuse.

Gluing driveshafts to transmission output flange.

wire insulation and dash structure that biodegrades well within the normal lifespan of the car.

front coil spring seat/shock anchor points.

Post by **kcodyjr** » 18 Apr 2014, 17:59

jimmy57 wrote:The in-tank fuel pump are a universal issue for all car makes.

Beg to differ. The 850 made it easy.

Also, how could I forget, being an interference engine isn't the brightest design move.

Post by **matthew1** » 18 Apr 2014, 21:51

ETM (low hanging fruit that one)

Post by **jimmy57** » 18 Apr 2014, 22:32

kcodyjr wrote:
jimmy57 wrote:The in-tank fuel pump are a universal issue for all car makes.
Beg to differ. The 850 made it easy.

Work in a shop. You'd have a batter chance at Powerball jackpot than to have a car come in that needs the fuel pump checked or changed and it has an empty trunk or load floor so you can use that access...
Can anyone tell me why you need several 50 pound bags of rice or alfalfa cubes when your car breaks?

AWD 97-2000 models are easy if you drop the RH side of tank down. None of that floor cutting stuff.

next : Anything that has solder inside of it.....

Post by **precopster** » 19 Apr 2014, 01:04

The solenoids on the early AW55-50SN transmissions with bushings made of an inferior material which attract metallic particles. The bushings get sludged up and the solenoids respond slowly causing crashing while downshifting and shock in the transmission which eventually kills it.

Post by **JRL** » 19 Apr 2014, 05:30

precopster wrote:The solenoids on the early AW55-50SN transmissions with bushings made of an inferior material which attract metallic particles. The bushings get sludged up and the solenoids respond slowly causing crashing while downshifting and shock in the transmission which eventually kills it.

To be fair, Aisin designed and built those, it's VOLVO who had the bright idea of lifetime, no change fluid.
Same tranny in a Toyota but Toyota has a 30K mile fluid change. MANY less failures.

Post by **precopster** » 19 Apr 2014, 07:14

Actually JRL the AW-55-50SN was never fitted to a Toyota, as any other model number though I keep reading it on forums.

They share the fluid spec with some of Toyota's transmissions and that's why it's OK to put Toyota IV fluid in them.

There are so many references to it being fitted to Toyotas on online forums yet not one technical article, online video or tech guide for this transmission relates any Toyota vehicles to it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aisin_AF33_transmission

or

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ai ... nsmissions

All technical manuals for this transmission I have purchased from ATSG indicate the same; not to mention online Sonnax info and Rostra documentation.

The transmission is shared by Renault, Nissan (RE5F22A), Chevy/Pontiac/Saturn (AF23/33-5 or GM-09/M45 or M43 ), Saab (as AW-55-50SN)

The same bushings failed on Renaults, Chevs, Saabs and Nissans even though Nissan use Synthetic Nissan Matic "K" fluid though I don't know the other manufacturer's fluid change recommendations.