'86 740 wagon: To Lube or not to lube

e777 · Post by **e777** » 27 Dec 2010, 21:40

I usually change my own oil, but I recently took my 86 740 to have the oil changed at a shop specifically so that they could also lube the chassis. Afterward, I perused the service check list only to find that there had been no lubing done. I went back and asked another technician who said (without inspecting the vehicle for himself) that often these " higher end cars, even the older ones, have sealed chassis and do not require lubing." I could find no info on lubing in the Haynes manual. So, does this vehicle get lubed or not?

Thanks!

I Roll · Post by **I Roll** » 27 Dec 2010, 23:24

I think that the only thing to lube are the door hinges!

Post by **precopster** » 28 Dec 2010, 02:40

Tie rod ends and ball joints used to have grease nipples on them (BACK IN MY HEYDAY) This was considered "lubing the chassis"

More recent vehicles manufacturer's have chosen to go with sealed units. Sceptical that this leads to greater longevity.

Older vehicles had tie rod & ball joint rubbers available as spare parts. This gives you an idea of how long they would last with regular greasing.

Granted they are comparitively cheaper to buy today but lifespan is shorter unless they are OEM and you can't lube them.

There are many points to lube, but the average oil change place won't be aware. As mentioned by I Roll one of them is the front & rear door hynges. Some more that come to mind are the bonnet catch(es), throttle linkages and bonnet release cable.

e777 · Post by **e777** » 28 Dec 2010, 08:47

Thanks very much for the replies. No lubing the chassis. One less maintenance item to worry about.

Eric

Post by **billofdurham** » 28 Dec 2010, 11:16

The original Volvo service sheet has a chassis lubrication at 5,000 mile intervals. However, it does not specify what should be lubricated on the chassis. I think this is a throwback to the days when every DIY owner had a grease gun to lube several grease nipples. I still have mine and still use it once a year whilst servicing my daughter's caravan.

At 10,000 mile intervals the following body lubrication should be done:

740 body lubrication points.pdf: (192.6 KiB) Downloaded 358 times

At the same time the weather stripping should be lubricated with silicone.

Bill.

e777 · Post by **e777** » 29 Dec 2010, 08:11

Thanks for the PDF, Bill. Seeing it reminds me that I do have the owner's manual which I should consult more often, rather than going directly to the Haynes.

Post by **boosted5cyl** » 29 Dec 2010, 10:58

In my experience if you have to ask if something needs to be lubed you shold lube it

Ill get my coat