Living with our Volvo's.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 23 Sep 2007, 11:17

Arrrrr!
This is not a thread to ask for the "how-to's."
Just want to see what everyone else is going through with their volvo's....

I had the typical clunk that comes from a loose swaybar endlink on the driver's side, so I got under the car to tighten them....they do loosen up after awhile on some cars. I had let it go for a couple of weeks and it was getting more noticeable so I had my tools. Anyway, while I'm under there, I notice grease flung all over my passenger's side wheel. Arrrrr! I had just replaced the driver's side axle last year. I really don't know if I'm in for an axle or a cv boot but typically, the labor on these things is much worse for the boot itself and after all costs are added up, it's often about the same to replace the axle. I'm probably calling Raxles in the morning for a new one.

Just when you think everything is going right....something else unexpected.
Guess that's the way with these cars, or really any car for that matter.

MIJ

Post by **matthew1** » 23 Sep 2007, 11:42

I've been meaning to start a thred just like this, MIJ.

I don't have a garage, so my work is very limited... so anyway after a couple years of not doing a whole lot -- and not driving a whole lot -- I've kicked off a big project. I'm going from Stage -1 to Stage 0.

I kind of "let her go"

I'm embarassed to admit.

I ordered and received $600 worth of parts from the guys at FCP Groton. Next step is to have Kathy's Northern European shop put them on.

I plan to do a big old writeup on this.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 23 Sep 2007, 12:29

Sounds good Matt. Just goes to show that it's not a good idea to let these cars
"go." I suspected some suspension issues and "let it go." The last time I looked under there was 2500 miles ago when I did an oil change.....but since I'm not driving 100+ miles a day anymore (new job, local) it's been a couple of months now. It's a good idea to eyeball things every once in awhile just to see that things are still okay....even if the car seems to be running fine.

Will be on the look-out for your write-up!

I too will probably let a local shop do the axle R&R. I could do it, but it's messy and I'm busy. Will most likely buy the Raxle axle and let them do their thing, and tighten up all suspension bolts and subframe bolts while they're at it...probably needs a re-torquing by now.

Car still runs strong....and the turbo with the IPD upgrade is truly amazing....just miss the high 20's MPG as most all of my driving is city now....getting high teens and sometimes (when I go to one of my schools that involves the interstate a few times a week), low 20's.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 25 Sep 2007, 16:12

Well, got the CV boot replaced today....too busy, too lazy and too messy of a job for me to replace it myself right now.

Lucky me!....no damage to the axle joint (rare, but this time true) and my local shop (Auto Dynamics) was able to R&R the boot (only dropping the wheel side of the axle) for less than $150. I feel good and you can't even tell the job was done. I had specifically asked that they clean the greasy wheel and underside up....and they did! A rare decent job that I didn't have to tackle myself.

Volvo for Life....Life is good!

Post by **akitawagon** » 25 Sep 2007, 17:44

MIJ, I know how you feel... I usually get the "torn CV boot with grease spray" also just when I think all the cars are happy at stage 0.

It seems to be a given, like being a homeowner and knowing that there will always be something that needs maintenance or fixing, so I just get to it when I can...

I have gotten pretty good at doing temporary silicone patches on the CV boots tears though. The latest one already has a replacement CV kit waiting or I might just end up having my indy do it to avoid the mess.

BTW, Glad to hear that you have another job and one with a shorter commute.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 25 Sep 2007, 19:24

Yeah, I'm back to my old job as a school psychologist in the county school system. I have a primary school, an elementary school and a high school that I provide services to. It's not quite as exciting to me as being a principal of a Japanese high school, but it feeds the family and takes care of Volvo repairs...LOL.