97 855R Just bought it and I love it..except a few issues

koffinb · Post by **koffinb** » 31 Jul 2014, 06:52

Hi everyone. Just wanted to show some love to you all a well as gain some helpful info. I have a 97 855r with 139k miles. Love the car to death! Clean as a whistle! And everything works as it should with the exception of the brake vibration in the rear..it's been sitting in the garage for quite some time, but I decided its about time to bring her out and put her to use a little bit more. Pardon the need of a detail in the pictures.
Just a couple issues and questions I would like to touch on:

The first issue is the horrible brake vibration in the rear of the car that shakes the car to pieces! It's so annoying, based on the research I did online it seems to be the brake shims that need replacement so I went ahead and installed new shims yesterday and the vibration/rumbling is still there, though not as bad or frequent as before. The previous owner had extensive service records with the vehicle and it looks like the brakes were done at 124k. So I wouldn't suspect needing new rotors and pads so soon. What else could it be?

My second question is regarding the internal condition on the engine. The PCV system was replaced a couple thousand miles prior to my purchase, however as you can see in the pictures the inside of the engine thru the oil fill cap looks pretty cruddy. I know the previous owner also serviced the engine religiously with synthetic oil, but I am wondering if the sludge build up could be from the vehicle just sitting for so long for many years. Looking at the car fax, it seems like there where some points in time where the previous owner drove the car about 1,000 miles/year and he still made sure to do have the oil changed. Is this something I could easily treat or is it not that big of a deal?

Any additional tips and advice is greatly appreciated!

Here are some pictures as well...the license plates are different because it turns out the ones on the first set of pictures were for my other volvo..oops!

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 31 Jul 2014, 07:34

You need to replace the rear rotors to get rid of the vibration. You can get them turned but it is usually just as cheap to just replace them. The shims really don't do anything except deal with the horrible brake squeal that you will get without them. Many folks will spend the big money to buy Brembo or Zimmerman rotors but I have done just as well with Raybestos. In the case of Brembo they ship all of the consumer rotors out of China these days and they really aren't any better than house brand auto parts store versions.

The cap doesn't look out of the ordinary. The test for the PCV system is to stick a rubber glove or a small balloon over the dipstick tube and see if it inflates. It shouldn't.

Read up on parts brands before you start your maintenance. That will keep you from making the same mistakes that I did when I proudly screwed on my new Fram oil filter, my Bosch +4 spark plugs, and a new set of Auto Zone plug wires. The car would barely run and when it did the lifters clacked like crazy.

...Lee

RSM-GA · Post by **RSM-GA** » 31 Jul 2014, 08:29

Very beautiful car! Looks well cared for!
Good luck with it!

Post by **rspi** » 31 Jul 2014, 10:52

+1 What Lee said.

koffinb · Post by **koffinb** » 31 Jul 2014, 14:06

Ozark Lee wrote:You need to replace the rear rotors to get rid of the vibration. You can get them turned but it is usually just as cheap to just replace them. The shims really don't do anything except deal with the horrible brake squeal that you will get without them. Many folks will spend the big money to buy Brembo or Zimmerman rotors but I have done just as well with Raybestos. In the case of Brembo they ship all of the consumer rotors out of China these days and they really aren't any better than house brand auto parts store versions.

The cap doesn't look out of the ordinary. The test for the PCV system is to stick a rubber glove or a small balloon over the dipstick tube and see if it inflates. It shouldn't.

Read up on parts brands before you start your maintenance. That will keep you from making the same mistakes that I did when I proudly screwed on my new Fram oil filter, my Bosch +4 spark plugs, and a new set of Auto Zone plug wires. The car would barely run and when it did the lifters clacked like crazy.

...Lee

Thanks for the ample info and advice. You think its the rotors even though they look fine? And wouldn't it vibrate everytime I hit the brakes if it was the rotors? The vibration right now is very inconsistent and random

Post by **abscate** » 31 Jul 2014, 15:39

It could be loose suspension parts in back, warped rotors, or a flat spot on the tire(s)

You can't tell warped rotors visually.

Post by **RussB** » 31 Jul 2014, 16:27

That is a beautiful car! I am VERY envious of you!

I would fully inspect the rear brakes, e-brakes and suspension. E-brakes may be sticking, e-brake cables may be frozen or the e-brake hardware may be rusted/frozen. Make sure the tires are balanced and the rims & tires are not damaged too.

Oil looks OK. Drive it and change the oil the oil & filter regularly. I reckon that car was driven very little. I have used Mann oil filters exclusively in my 850's since 2000.

Post by **mecheng** » 31 Jul 2014, 19:46

Oil and cams look good. Replace the oil cap seal, they get hard and the oil leaks.

Maybe your rear brakes are sticking a bit, especially if the car has been sitting. I would lube them, it is very easy in the rear and see what happens. Could be a bearing as well

Nice looking, very clean and classy

Post by **RussB** » 31 Jul 2014, 19:52

koffinb wrote:

There appears to be no clamp on the upper intercooler outlet hose ???

It's up top near the radiator...

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 31 Jul 2014, 19:53

Engine bay and oil cap look fine. There's nothing out of the ordinary or "cruddy" there. As Lee said, the PCV test is to check for smoke and pressure at the dipstick tube.