1996 855 T refresh: brakes, belts, suspension, etc.

elchopperfreak · Post by **elchopperfreak** » 22 Sep 2011, 23:39

Nice wagon..!!!
Looks new!!!
"dope"

Post by **jblackburn** » 23 Sep 2011, 08:08

I think we're going to have to edit the rules to ban that word from the site

Not to mention, the car will sit higher with TCs.

Unless you use lowering springs, like you originally planned. Up to you. I drive around that area all the time, and my Sachs ones still make a nice thud every time I hit a pothole. Then again, I think they're still original.

Going to read up more on front mounts, but what I've read here and there it's definitely something not to skimp. How are the IPD ones, or is it better to just stick with oem?

IPD HD ones are good, as are OEM XC90 (SUV) mounts. Don't use anything else. For whatever it's worth, I went the XC90 route for one of mine; 2 years and 50-60,000 miles since, it's still holding up.

gilhuly · Post by **gilhuly** » 23 Sep 2011, 20:01

That car looks to be in exceptional shape. I would simply renew all the fluids except the tranny. This means new ATF in the power steering, brake fluid, coolant, oil. I would go with blue box strut mount bushings (xc90 is fine too) and stock struts/shocks. I did this on my R at 100k and I just turned 200k and things are still fine. I agree to test the pcv and would actually encourage you to have a top end cleaner run through the oil at the oil change. If the pcv isn't clogged yet this will help keep it that way. I'm with the others on 55/16 as an all around durable tire and am a fan of yokohamas.

If you love your sister have the A/C checked and make sure it works. It gets a little warm and rather humid in DC during the summer. Have them measure the A/C clutch gap. Put the wiper arms in a vice and bend them back.

Sweet car. Your sister's a lucky girl to have a caring brother like you.

Volvos rock3 · Post by **Volvos rock3** » 24 Sep 2011, 11:24

My siblings suck.....Nice job taking care of your sis, car is dope....

elchopperfreak · Post by **elchopperfreak** » 24 Sep 2011, 11:56

[quote="jblackburn"]I think we're going to have to edit the rules to ban that word from the site

Right along with "awesome" please...

Post by **vjaneczko** » 25 Sep 2011, 08:56

jblackburn wrote:I think we're going to have to edit the rules to ban that word from the site

Yeah, that would totally be Awesome!!

wait...

barneybox · Post by **barneybox** » 01 Oct 2011, 12:41

So my sister was up visiting last weekend and saw the wagon for the first time in years and is pretty excited to get it. She drove it around and is really looking forward to getting it. Fortunately, she knows just enough about cars to understand what needs to be replaced and knows how to google stuff. The AC had some work done a few years ago, and it works great. As far as the tires go, we're sticking with the 50s for now since they have tread, if they are getting replaced she might be willing to shell out some money to upgrade to a set of volans for it or something.

The car needs a US speedometer and warning lights to be NHTSA compliant, so we're looking for an instrument cluster. Do we need a 96 specific cluster because of the OBDII diagnostics? How do I tell if it is a VDO cluster or Yazuki cluster and do all turbos come with the trip computer? From pictures, I'm noticing the trip computer has the longest LCD display. If we come across a used cluster and the LCD display is longer, is it safe to assume it comes with the computer? I have a Haynes manual that I looked though; the section that tells how to differentiate the difference between the VDO cluster and Yazuki clusters isn't much help as both the odometer and trip odometer are below the needle.

elchopperfreak · Post by **elchopperfreak** » 01 Oct 2011, 15:36

Dont know about the lights, but we use to get decals made for the Harley speedometers that came in KM, we just stuck 'em atop the glass and you would have both and be legal.
I have also seen dial replacements in MPH, although Im pretty sure somebody will have a cluster and hook you up.

barneybox · Post by **barneybox** » 01 Oct 2011, 17:21

Here's a pic of the cluster. My sister got her letter from Volvo cars NA saying in order to bring the car in to compliance, it needs a US type speedometer and warning lights. I believe the US cars have words/letters (eg. BATT, ENGINE, OIL, BRAKE, etc..)on the warning lights instead of symbols. My brother in law just tracked down a cluster for it; this needs to be installed before the car is brought across the border. Hopefully it works and there's only one cluster for the 96, still trying to figure out the trip computer.

The TRACs and ABS light are going on once in a while so I need to look into those threads.

elchopperfreak · Post by **elchopperfreak** » 01 Oct 2011, 17:33

Both my cars have symbols not words and they are US spec
Tracs/Abs and loosing speedometer means busted AbS sensor, forum member Matty Moo can help with that.

1996 855 T refresh: brakes, belts, suspension, etc.

Re: 1996 855 T refresh: brakes, belts, suspension, etc.