Volvo 850 Transmission Replacement Tutorial

whoa · Post by **whoa** » 14 Dec 2012, 11:10

I've been hoping for a good walkthrough on this job, and lo and behold Matt comes up with an astounding one. Thanks for the superb work!

I have a RMS leak, and I've had the parts for this for well over a year. Even built an engine support and a transmission cradle to fit on my floor jack. Seeing this write-up is sobering, though, and I'm starting to think maybe the leak isn't all THAT bad.

Post by **wheelsup** » 16 Dec 2012, 18:43

whoa wrote:I've been hoping for a good walkthrough on this job, and lo and behold Matt comes up with an astounding one. Thanks for the superb work!

I have a RMS leak, and I've had the parts for this for well over a year. Even built an engine support and a transmission cradle to fit on my floor jack. Seeing this write-up is sobering, though, and I'm starting to think maybe the leak isn't all THAT bad.

I hear ya. Just took it for 400 mile round trip no oil that I can find thank god! It's nice to not have that RMS leak anymore. I do have a jerry rigged setup that takes crankcase pressure from my dipstick tube and routes it under the car - now that I know the leak is gone I can work on routing that into the intake manifold or try what someone else suggested and use bigger tubing into the PCV system (posted recently). Just a good feeling!

Nob00st · Post by **Nob00st** » 15 Mar 2014, 17:57

wheelsup, it's funny - I've been looking around for a DIY on how to replace a trans (I just got a 95 GLT that needs a new trans soon) and found this post - and I too live in Raleigh!

Thank you for the guide!

Barnett · Post by **Barnett** » 31 Dec 2015, 19:18

Hey wheelsup!

I just joined to thank you for this write up!!! I am going to undertake this with an 850 wagon. I just purchased it and then it developed a pretty good RMS leak. Thanks for a great very detailed write up!

Post by **wheelsup** » 05 Jan 2016, 03:49

Barnett wrote:Hey wheelsup!

I just joined to thank you for this write up!!! I am going to undertake this with an 850 wagon. I just purchased it and then it developed a pretty good RMS leak. Thanks for a great very detailed write up!

You're welcome!

Post by **vjaneczko** » 22 Jun 2016, 11:51

I know it's been a few years but I'm wondering if you recall disconnecting the evap hose, the one that runs from the canister down along the front of the subframe, then behind the front engine mount and between subframe and sway bar. Do you happen to remember if it gets disconnected at the canister or behind the swaybar? I don't want to yank on it at the wrong spot!

greg850r · Post by **greg850r** » 11 Aug 2016, 08:38

Does anyone know if the clutch fork can be removed without separating the engine and tranny. Anyone got a picture of the part itself? I can't seem to find one online.

Thanks

lrwagon96 · Post by **lrwagon96** » 27 Jun 2025, 15:51

Thanks so much for the insight and convincing evidence that the damaged flywheel will likely remain in the car as I'm reluctant to bring it to a shop for seven hours of work (over $1,000) and $400 for a new flywheel doesn't make too much sense for my 30 year old 850 turbo wagon. Still, knowing how it should be done is really helpful to confirm that the shop did it right.

If only I had a garage to take the car apart, tools more than I can afford (although I did buy a 30mm socket and 1/2" socket wrench to move the crank 5' to the next set of teeth), and days to commit to the task.

Great wrote up!

Gary D, NYC

Post by **abscate** » 27 Jun 2025, 16:23

I’m in port Jeff area if you get motivated to pull the engine. I’ve got an engine puller

Post by **foggydogg** » 27 Jun 2025, 23:01

lrwagon96 wrote: ↑27 Jun 2025, 15:51 Thanks so much for the insight and convincing evidence that the damaged flywheel will likely remain in the car as I'm reluctant to bring it to a shop for seven hours of work (over $1,000) and $400 for a new flywheel doesn't make too much sense for my 30 year old 850 turbo wagon. Still, knowing how it should be done is really helpful to confirm that the shop did it right.

If only I had a garage to take the car apart, tools more than I can afford (although I did buy a 30mm socket and 1/2" socket wrench to move the crank 5' to the next set of teeth), and days to commit to the task.

Great wrote up!

Gary D, NYC

850, Turbo, Wagon, and Manual aren't words that go together very often in the States. Unless the car has lots of salt worm rot, it likely deserves another chance. Dr. Abscate would be a fine fellow to get to know.

Volvo 850 Transmission Replacement Tutorial

Re: Volvo 850 Transmission Replacement Tutorial