1997 850 base automatic

Post by **scot850** » 21 Jun 2016, 15:06

Has anyone tried these axles from FCP? I believe they are supposed to be Volvo OE axles that have been re-manufactured. The user reviews are polar and there are only a few. Thoughts?

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... nt-right-1

Neil.

kippster41493 · Post by **kippster41493** » 21 Jun 2016, 15:41

I've heard good things about them. Personally have never used an axle by them but other parts and I've been pleased with their quality so far.

Post by **oragex** » 21 Jun 2016, 17:17

There are other 'USA' rebulild ones on the site. Just because FPC sells an item is not a guarantee.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... lt-ax-7821
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... lt-ax-7822

Btw, they also sell OEM ones

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Post by **scot850** » 21 Jun 2016, 19:31

This car is being repaired on a budget if the owner accepts my offer. Needs both axles repaired, but as the RH one has a fully split boot and bad ball-joint and wheel-bearing, I can't drive the car to test if it can be salvaged with new boots. I am looking at a back up plan in case either axle cannot be repaired. Car will be towed home if deal goes through.

I appreciate the fact that just as FCP sells something is no guarantee of quality, their warranty is at least good. Only hassle would be the rework of work already done which I hate!

This car is not planned to stay beyond it's resurrection, I am just on a rescue mission to prevent another (marginally financially) saveable Volvo from the crusher. We have had about 8 x 850's come into PnP in the last month, including a rare manual (they all were) 850 AWD. Some have good axles, and even found one with 2 aluminum lower control arms with the replaceable ball-joints. And they were in great condition. If the car is still there when I go back I may pull them as they are rare, although I could use them on this car, even if it is a 97.

Car is a 97 850 base sedan with ECC (not working), no moon-roof, leather interior in fair condition and just under 100k miles on it. Had recent tune up and brakes, but needs front flexi-hoses. Car came from Vancouver about 3 years ago so no viable rust and not much stone damage like a local car.

IF things work out I'll update on MVS the progress.

Thanks,

Neil.

Post by **erikv11** » 22 Jun 2016, 07:37

If I had to go with something other than a known Volvo axle from the PNP, I would try those FCP rebuilt ones. Repeat labor is a bummer I agree, but on the DIY spectrum an axle swap is pretty easy and I would guess that you wouldn't get two bad ones in a row.

bugs11 · Post by **bugs11** » 23 Jun 2016, 13:24

I installed the FCPEuro "USA" axles, both passenger and driver side, on my 96 850 Turbo. They were genuine rebuilt Volvo axles. Search for my post for tips and review of the axles. In my case, it made a world of difference on ride and front end noise. Cost about $50 to ship the cores back via Fedex. The longer axle box, for the passenger side, is at the limit for length (48") for a new surcharge by Fedex, but the nice lady at the shipping store taped down the ends so the box was just under 48" - saved me $12.

beigg · Post by **beigg** » 23 Jun 2016, 16:56

Hopefully the timing belt was done twice in its life. Otherwise, it's approaching that interval again, and that's another added cost.

Post by **scot850** » 23 Jun 2016, 17:25

Thanks for the input guys.

The timing belt was done about 5 years ago and I need to check but about 50k, miles I believe.

I pulled the trigger and bought the car today, and will have it towed home hopefully tomorrow. I will then jack it up and put it on stands to poke around under it.

I have noticed that it has a few additional bits for a 'base' 850. The owner said the original owner was looking at a S90 and realised he could get a lot more bang for the buck buying and 850 and dressing it up. The first things I've noticed is a 6 disc CD changer in the trunk, a trunk spoiler with high level brake light, leather interior, and ECC, but strangely no sunroof?

Once I get some time I will take some pictures and run a new thread on it.

Good to know about the USA axles. I missed that there is a core charge! Shipping them back from Canada would be horribly expensive!

I'm hoping for someone to smiling on me (the Volvo gods?), and that maybe the axles are ok and just need new boots.

Neil.

beigg · Post by **beigg** » 23 Jun 2016, 18:15

its due for another Timing Belt kit and most likely water pump.
Axles with ripped boots for a prolonged period of time with drive use are beyond boot replacement. any foreign debris in the tripod sections is like digesting glass. Wrecks up moving parts leaving it looking fine from new boots covering them up.