The plate above the muffler is sitting loose...

Post by **xHeart** » 24 Oct 2012, 17:17

Just the other day I had raised the rear of the car to practice jack stand placements. This morning at cold start there was a rattle, and it was there through out the drive home.
Clamps and hangers seem to be OK, but this item is just sitting there...

: loose plate above the muffler...; MVS_0007.jpg (393.89 KiB) Viewed 1726 times

Are there nuts missing, any other sign to watch for?

Post by **rspi** » 24 Oct 2012, 17:32

looks like nuts are missing. Look under it for studs. If no studs, maybe bolts are missing. Hopefully they didn't rust off.

Post by **xHeart** » 24 Oct 2012, 19:24

There are four studs, two on passenger side are visible, however, the driver's i was only able to feel.

: Guard plate - studs on passenger side; MVS_0010.jpg (352.65 KiB) Viewed 1726 times

Could these studs be replaced, from appearance these barely have threads for bolt?

Post by **wheelsup** » 24 Oct 2012, 19:58

JB weld time

Post by **vjaneczko** » 25 Oct 2012, 07:40

I believe these bolts get those plastic nuts that you finger tighten, just like the plastic cover behind the passenger wheel for the timing belt. I had the same problem but in my case the bolts had rusted away so I just removed the plate. Luckily, I found out I didn't need it when I installed the IPD turboback!

Maybe head to a Midas shop and have them tack it in place?

Post by **xHeart** » 25 Oct 2012, 09:25

vjaneczko wrote:I believe these bolts get those plastic nuts that you finger tighten, just like the plastic cover behind the passenger wheel for the timing belt. I had the same problem but in my case the bolts had rusted away so I just removed the plate. Luckily, I found out I didn't need it when I installed the IPD turboback!

Maybe head to a Midas shop and have them tack it in place?

Location of guard plate suggest it deflects muffler heat. Could it be pulled out for few days, and put back in easily? What coating would help extend its life?

JB Weld, if the nuts don't work. I will pick up new ones from the local volvo this weekend.

Alternatively, is there a two-side threaded cap, like bolting-a-bolt, that could JB Weld to restore/replace these rusted bolts so that the plate is suspended back on.

Where do I place floor jack to raise the car from rear center, method similar to raising from subframe at front center, so i can place jack stand near delta link at each end, then do the work?

Post by **vjaneczko** » 25 Oct 2012, 09:34

IIRC, the plate is a little too wide to easily remove without dropping the muffler first.

Yes, it is a heat shield but I figured it's not a huge amount of heat and one could live without it.

Not sure if there's a single jack point in the back. I always go with a jack stand on each side where the delta link is bolted to the frame.

bw77 · Post by **bw77** » 25 Oct 2012, 09:58

xHeart wrote: Where do I place floor jack to raise the car from rear center, method similar to raising from subframe at front center, so i can place jack stand near delta link at each end, then do the work?

I have jacked under the reinforced plate just to the left of the tow hook.
I used a block of wood between jack and car. It raised the pass side a little
more than the driver side due to being off-center, but it works.

If you have the Haynes manual, look on page REF-6. There is a pic of this.
It says "Raise the rear of the car using the reinforced plate at the rear of
the spare wheel well".

Post by **xHeart** » 25 Oct 2012, 11:45

vjaneczko wrote:Not sure if there's a single jack point in the back. I always go with a jack stand on each side where the delta link is bolted to the frame.

So I am raising it from the frame and NOT delta, one side at a time, right?

Post by **vjaneczko** » 25 Oct 2012, 12:12

That's what I do - I don't think the delta arm is built to support the weight of the car.