94 850 turbo new tires-pulling to left-do I need camber kit

csss98 · Post by **csss98** » 10 Dec 2009, 10:59

Just bought new tires-balanced and mounted. I got Pirelli P4s "t" rated (I know "h" is recommended, but the t had good rain and snow ratings and, along with my car, I'm also 16 years older. I'm no longer interested in speed.) Car was immediately pulling to the left. I brought it back to the tire shop. Their free alignment check showed on diagnostic screen, bottom of first column fluctuated from red to green. They said it meant slight adjustment needed--$70.00. (Perhaps I can skip that?) Top of second column stayed red. They said it meant I needed a camber kit for front rt. wheel--another $70.00. My car never-in 16 years- pulled to either side. Is a camber kit appropriate for my car? Is it possible they did something upon installation to create an additional expense? I've bought tires before. This never happened. It seems odd to me. They said it's because the old tires were so worn the car adapted so it didn't pull. Any thoughts you can share would be much appreciated. Also, do you have a photo or a "how to" for the coolant temp sensor replacement, and how difficult a job that is ? I know a non-volvo (much less expensive) mechanic, but I worry when they're not experienced in Volvos. I've had success with this method before-- specifically with the odometer gear replacement. Dealership wanted over $500. Indy,sitting with his laptop following your fabulous step by step photo instructions did it for $125, plus I bought the gear from your website link for $25. That was last March. Odometer is working fine. He probably uses your website now that I introduced him to it. Thank you again.

Post by **jblackburn** » 10 Dec 2009, 11:17

The ECT is super easy, take off the thermostat housing behind the power steering reservior and voila, there it is. May as well change out the thermostat while you're in there.

http://volvospeed.com/Repair/thermect2.htm

As for the camber kit, I'm not sure why it didn't pull before, but I was told when I had the last alignment done that I would probably need a camber kit next time around, since mine was barely within the specs. Did your old tires wear out really weird around the edges? I wore through a set in like 30,000 miles (tires were rated for 60), though my car tracked perfectly straight the whole time so I wasn't aware it needed an alignment.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 10 Dec 2009, 11:34

The hardest part of the ECT is getting the old bolts out. They are aluminum bolts and the heads want to strip out. Volvo figured out the error of their ways and they have coated steel bolts to replace the originals with. They only cost around $1.00 each, I would highly recommend that you have them on hand.

If your camber is off the only way to fix it is with a camber kit.

...Lee

ChiNorm · Post by **ChiNorm** » 10 Dec 2009, 13:21

Swap the front tires left and right to the other sides. Does the car now pull in the other direction? You have a bad tire. Lots more info on the TireRack website, including how to diagnose which tire is bad.

The fact that it started imediately with the new tires is ..... suspicious.

Good luck.

csss98 · Post by **csss98** » 14 Dec 2009, 19:08

Hi, Thanks for your input. The plot thickens. I had the camber kit done today. I wanted to skip the other minor adjustment and just pay for the camber kit (front rt. tire) but the mechanic said once they do the camber kit it throws everything else off and I had to do the whole thing. Cost $120.00 It still pulls to the left. Of course I'll call tomorrow. I had to get some things done when I left and it was too late to go back today. Next problem--I probably don't have an ECT problem after all. After he cleared the codes, all that showed up (cleared them twice) was 126. After questioning me, he's sure he must replace the heater core. That may be true. All my windows fog up like a steamy high school date (just started recently). I smell something burnt (not sweet) when I use the heater. The film on my windshield is greasy. I can't wipe it away and it obscures my view. He thinks the 126 might just be from the leaking anti-freeze. Also, under pressure, the technician (not the mechanic) saw the expansion tank hose leaking and collecting in a little puddle. He showed it to me but I don't know what you call the silver metal surface where it collected. He wants nearly $500.00 to replace the heater core and 2 heater core hoses. I don't know what to do or whether to trust--especially until my car stops pulling. I'm wondering about the third reply which I didn't see before I went to the mechanic. He/she seems to think I have a bad tire. Do I just tell the owner I think I have a bad tire? I just bought all 4 tires from him. This shop is on tire rack's list, but he's local and I didn't use him through tire rack. I'm a woman. I think we're always more vulnerable. Is there a less expensive fix than $500.00 to replace the heater core? Does it seem like I need that? I'm so confused and suspicious. I really don't know what to do--about the heater core and about my car pulling to the left after I spent a total of $460.00 on Perelli tires, a camber kit and an alignment. Thank you

Post by **Pauloil** » 16 Dec 2009, 17:38

do the heater core yourself
there are good writeups on this site
get the whole coupler for the firewall to heater core connection.