The I Worked on My Car Today Thread

Post by **RobTheModd** » 05 May 2010, 22:07

fixed my keyless entry problem!

man I am uberly happy now.

Post by **j_cd** » 06 May 2010, 22:23

RobTheModd wrote:fixed my keyless entry problem!

man I am uberly happy now.

Congratulations! I've got a new keyless remote sitting here (old one fell apart), just haven't gotten it programmed yet. The dealer wants $150... yeah right, like that's gonna happen. I know a private Volvo shop that will do it for a lot less I'm sure.

I'm planning to take the car to Vic tomorrow for an ABS computer replacement. Today I had the Pirellis rotated, bought some Zerex G-05 antifreeze (Carquest), 5 Bosch copper spark plugs (Auto Zone), and an E30 Torx head socket for my 3/8" drive stubby ratchet (Sears). I'm thinking about changing the distributor cap, rotor and wires too, we'll see. Maybe I'll have a look inside the distributor cap and see what shape it's in before I go ordering all that stuff. Has anyone used the cheaper aftermarket Bremi cap and rotor from FCP Groton, or does everyone just use the oem Bosch?

I think I'm gonna replace the Drive Belt (Serpentine) too this week. The car has almost 119,000 miles and the belt is supposed to be changed every 60,000. Also gonna drain another 4 quarts of ATF from the pan and refill like I did last week. I'm not doing a full flush, at least not yet. Oh yeah, today I also got a 24 mm socket and a 10" extension for my 1/2" ratchet. I'm not tearing up another transmission drain plug! Still searching for the correct aluminum crush washers. I've got the oil drain plug ones, but as you know, they're not the same.

Getting a front end alignment this week. Wondering if I should replace my tie rods first. I know the left one probably got beat up when my neighbor replaced the axle. But then I'd want to replace the ball joint too (torn boot), and I can't afford to rebuild the whole car in one month!

Post by **RobTheModd** » 06 May 2010, 22:44

Got a check today.. hehe...
so I will be posting here daily for a while, buying belts serp and timing.

motions are currently underway for fog light pieces, relays mainly as Ive just found a switch.

today, I cleaned out the trunk in prep for tomorrows camping outing.

Post by **boosted5cyl** » 07 May 2010, 09:49

RobTheModd wrote: NICE! I think im going to name mine beaver... since I have a beaver attached to the front.

Yea we name our cars for some silly reason.......

Yesterday I re-attached Vivvie's rear view mirror. Wifey hit it with her college book bag. Now I'm working on getting the radio working again after she entered the wrong code three times!

Post by **jblackburn** » 07 May 2010, 10:13

LOL I name all of mine too...mine's named after a song, but I'm not going to tell anyone what song

Post by **howie** » 07 May 2010, 19:32

Changed the oil on the V70 R, it really did not need it but I like to show it the love, thanks to the previous owner (cattledog on this forum) it was a piece of cake since everything was tightened to the proper specs.

The S70 is another story I was having the oil changed by what I once thought by a upstanding instant oil change shop, simply put the filter housing was screwed on so tight I can't remove it

...I'm going to visit cattledog this week to fix that, so I did the hillbilly oil change and am letting the existing filter ride it out.

On the other hand I changed the brake pads and rotors which was a piece of cake with the help of this site.

Post by **j_cd** » 09 May 2010, 02:43

A few weeks ago I changed out the ATF in the transmission drain pan. Did it again today. Over 4 quarts came out and it looked pretty clean towards the end, so I think the transmission is in decent shape.

Changed spark plugs yesterday, which is super easy on this car. I was going to inspect the distributor cap today, but I stripped the inside of the bottom screw. Should have tried the big screwdriver sooner. I don't know why they're on there so tight. So now I have to get a 1/4" ratchet extension so I can remove the screw with an 8mm socket.

A few weeks ago I watched my neighbor replace the left cv axle. Today I noticed that the right one is a mess. I'll order a new axle tomorrow and try to do this one myself. I put a Cardone on the left side, so I'll just get one from Auto Zone.

The other day I noticed some coolant congealing on the top of the coolant expansion tank. It's got a small crack, so I ordered a new one. Also ordered new sway bar links, brake pads, serpentine belt, cabin air filter, Mann oil filter, and a radiator drain plug (just in case). Got a serpentine belt tool kit too.

The hoses going into the vacuum switch that attaches to the air box look toasted, so I ordered a silicone hose set from Stylin Motors. Not the big turbo intercooler ones, just the little vacuum lines. After all this plus another axle, that will have to wait until next month, along with the distributor cap, rotor and ignition wire set. I figure all this will be about 3 days work.

zhenya · Post by **zhenya** » 23 Jun 2011, 07:45

Thought we should bump this old thread for the summer season when I'm sure many of us are working on our cars more regularly.

Last week my ebay shipment of OEM carpet floor mats (in like new condition!) and fabric retracting luggage gate came in. Less than $50 for both, shipped! I love old cars.

The fabric gate is replacing the metal one that came with the car, and sees lots of use, but rattles like crazy. This one installs right into the top of the back seats, and is silent.

Two days ago I did a full exterior detail. I try to do this at least twice per year, but I often only find the time once per year -
-full wash and dry
- clay bar (my favorite part, well after buffing the final wax!)
- full buff with a mild paint cleaner
- full buff with Zymol cleaner wax
- full buff with a polish/glaze
- final buff with a good carnuba wax
- re-blacken all trim

Car always looks AMAZING after this. (especially for a 15 year old daily driver in the rust belt) These cars really have phenomenal paint.

Yesterday I replaced the bulbs in the instrument cluster, which was much easier than I anticipated. I have the replacement odometer gear, but decided not to replace it at the last moment because it's still working and getting the cluster out isn't all that hard.

Then I replaced the ABS module (thanks Matty Moo!) Easy as pie, and looks like this part has been replaced before, since one of the hard to reach bolts was loose! Hoping this fixes my intermittent ABS/Tracs light coming on.

What else are people up to?

dbeckwith · Post by **dbeckwith** » 23 Jun 2011, 08:24

Pulled the top of dash off again. Last week installed little gear in odometer. Worked for about half a mile. I am expecting a new pair of gears today. Before I put it all together this time I am going to bench test it this time. Not that it is a lot of work, I just hate redoing things

.

Post by **850 LPT** » 23 Jun 2011, 08:37

zhenya wrote:Car always looks AMAZING after this. (especially for a 15 year old daily driver in the rust belt) These cars really have phenomenal paint.

I agree, mine also looks amazing still for a daily driver in the Northeast.

Maybe someone can confirm this, but I think that Volvo started galvanizing lower body panels with the 850 much like Audi and Porsche started in the 80's. At least that would explain why they hold up so well. The only rusted 850's I see are the ones that have some kind of body damage.

The I Worked on My Car Today Thread

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