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Generic P80 AC clutch shim , bread clip, zip tie thread

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

This topic is in the MVS Volvo Repair Database » AC Shim Fix: Are Zip Ties the New Bread Clips?
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C@lvin
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Re: AC Bread Clip Fix

Post by C@lvin »

I see now. I wish I could tell you if it matters. It doesn't look like it would make any difference, but I honestly don't know and my clutch fix was too far in the distant past for me to remember that fine of a detail. I am trying too think about the physics of what is pushing what in which direction in that picture and what the moving parts are. When you turn the clutch to all the visible parts rotate?

Of course, one side of me is very curious why you can't get that space open enough to slide in the clip then the other side says, "just try it and see if it works" (before applying the glue - just in case). Sorry I can't be more helpful.......
Calvin
98 S70
00 V70
Previous:
240,245,760,940,850 Turbo

osmium
Posts: 208
Joined: 2 July 2009
Year and Model: 96 850 GLT
Location: Nashua, NH

Post by osmium »

C@lvin wrote:I see now. I wish I could tell you if it matters. It doesn't look like it would make any difference, but I honestly don't know and my clutch fix was too far in the distant past for me to remember that fine of a detail. I am trying too think about the physics of what is pushing what in which direction in that picture and what the moving parts are. When you turn the clutch to all the visible parts rotate?

Of course, one side of me is very curious why you can't get that space open enough to slide in the clip then the other side says, "just try it and see if it works" (before applying the glue - just in case). Sorry I can't be more helpful.......

Everythng to the left of the clutch gap rotates.

There a fix on volvospeed showing shims placed where the right arrow points.

If i can't get then to the left of the washer, I'll put them on the right
.

Luckily, then heat has broken for now!

-os
1996 850 GLT 262k miles (gone :( )

Image

1999 Honda Civic (gone)
1996 850 GLT (gone, no more Volvos :( )
2000 Buick Park Avenue (gone)
2005 Honda Odyssey (gone)
2013 Lexus ES350 (replaced Volvo 850)
2021 Honda Pilot

C@lvin
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Post by C@lvin »

If it works to on the right let us know so we can add that to our collective knowledge base.

Glad the heat has backed off for you.

Regards,
Calvin
98 S70
00 V70
Previous:
240,245,760,940,850 Turbo

osmium
Posts: 208
Joined: 2 July 2009
Year and Model: 96 850 GLT
Location: Nashua, NH

Post by osmium »

C@lvin wrote:If it works to on the right let us know so we can add that to our collective knowledge base.

Glad the heat has backed off for you.

Regards,

Sure thing.

Is there a minimum the cluth gap can be? The gap is 0.035+ (largest feeler I have). The clips are ~0.030. So it will be less than 0.020 if I use them.

I might try some utility knife blades I have that are 0.020.

-os
1996 850 GLT 262k miles (gone :( )

Image

1999 Honda Civic (gone)
1996 850 GLT (gone, no more Volvos :( )
2000 Buick Park Avenue (gone)
2005 Honda Odyssey (gone)
2013 Lexus ES350 (replaced Volvo 850)
2021 Honda Pilot

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jreed
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Post by jreed »

I had the same problem sliding the shims between the rubber bumper/washer and the spring, so I put brass shims to the right (as shown in Osmium's picture above). I used cyanoacrylate super glue to hold the shims. It's been working for about 4 days so far. I'm keeping my eye on them.
This is the second time I've applied shims (the first time was with polyethylene shims and Duco cement... two of the three shims flew out after about 2 days of short trip driving around town). :)
1997 855 GLT (Light Pressure Turbo) still going strong. Previous: 1986 240 GL rusted out in '06, 1985 Saab 900T rusted out in '95, 1975 Saab 99 rusted out in '95, 1973 Saab 99 rusted out in '94

C@lvin
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Post by C@lvin »

osmium wrote:Is there a minimum the cluth gap can be? The gap is 0.035+ (largest feeler I have). The clips are ~0.030. So it will be less than 0.020 if I use them.
VADIS says the clutch gap should be .3mm to .5mm. I think you are measuring in inches. If so, then yes, .02 inches (.5mm) is the maximum end of the acceptible range and .01 inches (.3mm) would be the minimum.
Calvin
98 S70
00 V70
Previous:
240,245,760,940,850 Turbo

osmium
Posts: 208
Joined: 2 July 2009
Year and Model: 96 850 GLT
Location: Nashua, NH

Post by osmium »

C@lvin wrote:
osmium wrote:Is there a minimum the cluth gap can be? The gap is 0.035+ (largest feeler I have). The clips are ~0.030. So it will be less than 0.020 if I use them.
VADIS says the clutch gap should be .3mm to .5mm. I think you are measuring in inches. If so, then yes, .02 inches (.5mm) is the maximum end of the acceptible range and .01 inches (.3mm) would be the minimum.

Thanks for the info.

My first attempt using the utility knife blades failed as 2 of the flew out on the test drive. Must not have gotten enough contact with the super glue.

-os
1996 850 GLT 262k miles (gone :( )

Image

1999 Honda Civic (gone)
1996 850 GLT (gone, no more Volvos :( )
2000 Buick Park Avenue (gone)
2005 Honda Odyssey (gone)
2013 Lexus ES350 (replaced Volvo 850)
2021 Honda Pilot

grushton
Posts: 4
Joined: 16 May 2012
Year and Model: 2001 s80
Location: Phoenix, AZ

Post by grushton »

I have a 2001 s80 that was having the same issues discussed on the site. A light tap with a screwdriver on the clutch and it would re engage. The bread clips were too large so I fashioned a kidney shaped piece of plastic and inserted them (3) behind the rubber spacers using a flat head screwdriver to push the clutch toward the compressor. A touch of super glue to stabilize the plastic was all that I needed. Checked the gap that brought it to .4 mm (spec) and it has been working like a charm. I live in Phoenix, AZ so a capable AC is a must. Saved a ton of Money-Thanks Matt!
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greekbuckeye
Posts: 18
Joined: 12 April 2010
Year and Model: 1999 S80 2.9
Location: Dayton, OH

Post by greekbuckeye »

Any chance you could post a picture of what the S80 fix looks like? I am about to have to do this and a photo would be immensely helpful. Thanks.

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BlackThunder
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Post by BlackThunder »

Alright so I've been working with this for a while. I was originally trying to get the bread clips and/or zip ties INTO the gap. I turned on the car and the AC clutch went around once then stopped.

I went back and read this post again and realized that I misunderstood and that it should be on the outside. Right? See photos:
Bread Clip on the 850 NA AC Clutch
Bread Clip on the 850 NA AC Clutch
I forced 3 bread clips under those spots on the clutch and it didn't work. SO then I added zip ties after watching one of Robert's videos on another post. Still nothing. Am I putting this stuff in the right spot?
Are the small Yellow zip ties in the correct locations for optimum success? Do I need thicker zip ties?
See photo:
Yellow Zip Ties small and Bread clips
Yellow Zip Ties small and Bread clips
Dustin
2013 Volvo C30 T5
1997 Volvo 850 NA Sold to a New Volvo Enthusiast

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