96 850 rear alignment and transverse arms

DeathRex · Post by **DeathRex** » 16 Feb 2018, 11:32

I had a 4 wheel alignment done about 9 months ago. The guy doing it didn't have the 2nd page showing the rear alignment, so he didn't do it. I gave him the 2nd page when I picked it up, but then he said it was just in alignment and he didn't have the replacement bolts for the transverse arms, and couldn't use the old ones because they get deformed on installation. My rear tires look alright, but the passenger rear tire looks to be pointing in. I could probably loosen the transverse arm bolts and move the wheel into alignment, but I can't find the nuts and bolts.

Nearest Volvo expert is 250 miles away, I'd rather not have to drive it that far.

Post by **scot850** » 16 Feb 2018, 14:49

Sorry, but what are you asking? Do you need help identifying the part numbers for the nuts and bolts, their specifications or help with something else?

Neil.

DeathRex · Post by **DeathRex** » 16 Feb 2018, 18:18

Yep. I searched FCP and cant find the nuts and bolts. I thought it would be the job of the alignment guy, but he didn't seem to want to.

Post by **tryingbe** » 16 Feb 2018, 19:39

No need to replace the bolts/nuts. I didn't.

Post by **jtp** » 16 Feb 2018, 19:43

DeathRex wrote: ↑16 Feb 2018, 11:32 I had a 4 wheel alignment done about 9 months ago. The guy doing it didn't have the 2nd page showing the rear alignment, so he didn't do it.

Didn’t have the second page? What does he have an alignment library full of notebooks or something.

Most shops are going to have pretty comprehensive software with step by step instructions pre-loaded into the alignment machine that basically walk the tech through the whole thing.

The hard part isn’t knowing what to adjust on the rear, it’s just doing it. Rear adjustments on my 95 were a PIA and I used to get all sorts of BS from techs about how they couldn’t do them.

Make sure the adjustment points on the rear aren’t seized by spraying them with some PB blaster a couple times over 3-4 days then take the car to a tire shop with a good rack like a Hunter and tell them you want the rear in spec.

Post by **jtp** » 16 Feb 2018, 19:51

Also the way your tire is pointing right now and the results of an alignment 9 months ago sadly aren’t necessarily related.

We’ve got 20 year old suspensions at this point. Stuff loosens up and gets knocked out easier.

Some aftermarket shops have 2 year, 3 year, or lifetime alignments. I purchase those. They are well worth it.

Post by **erikv11** » 16 Feb 2018, 21:38

jtp wrote: ↑16 Feb 2018, 19:43
...
Didn’t have the second page? What does he have an alignment library full of notebooks or something.

Most shops are going to have pretty comprehensive software with step by step instructions pre-loaded into the alignment machine that basically walk the tech through the whole thing.

The hard part isn’t knowing what to adjust on the rear, it’s just doing it. Rear adjustments on my 95 were a PIA and I used to get all sorts of BS from techs about how they couldn’t do them.
...

In my experience, this is exactly why you take the printout (from the 95 Volvo factory manual) to the tech, and ask them if they can/will do the 4 wheel alignment right. I have a very difficult time finding anyone who can, right now I have no one in town I can go to for the rear on my P80 cars.

About the software, perhaps it doesn't cover trailing arm setups, and/or have values for our 20 year old cars? Plenty of new techs don't have any idea what to do with them.

One of the lines I get is "the hardware is all rusted in place, we can't do the rear." Even though I've been under there, and its not.