Need #9176272 shifter cables, 1998 V70 manual, for senior w/ cancer

[ToniSCAMPER]

Folks:

Here're my answers to the various questions y'all have asked both on and off line in the last couple of days.

Problem history? I've been driving Scamper since 2013 without any shifting problem. The shift was always what I'd call "stiff" or maybe "tight," but always smooth and efficient. I like that. Then, in early December, I think, I pulled into my driveway, turned off the motor, then shifted into reverse as usual. But it wouldn't lock in. I didn't think much about it. Everything including reverse was fine next time I drove. But the motor-off situation happened another time or two. And then it started happening when the motor was running. In those instances, I just dropped it into first, pulled forward a few inches, then shifted back to reverse, and it was fine. That happened a few more times into January. Then, on January 23rd, I got in to move out of my driveway and down the street to make room for a tree crew. I started the motor, shifted into reverse, and went nowhere. I tried the quick forward pull with a return to reverse. Nothing. So I went inside and pulled up this site and found advice from a dozen years ago. Start in neutral, it said, and let the engine run a bit, then try reverse. Nothing. So I got the tree crew to push me out on the street, then started driving to the repair shop two miles away. Fine. But about a mile in, I needed to downshift on a hill and realized second had just gone out. And that was clear again when I had to take off after a stop sign. So I got to the shop just in time to avoid real trouble, I thought. Then, on Monday the 27th, I got a call saying the cables (plural) were defunct and that they were also discontinued. So unless I could find some somewhere, Scamper would have to be junked. Real trouble. That's when I started called salvage yards, specialty shops, and anyone else I could think. And, of course, I contacted Matthew.

Picture of the cables? Couldn't do it because they're still in place. But my mechanic says one is just plain broken at the end.

Would replacing bushings help? Mechanic says no. How about aftermarket replacement ends for the cables? Mechanic recommends against. And, of course, Volvo says, "Don't even think about it."

Would just one cable solve the problem? Well, if it were the one controlling side to side movement -- which seems to have been the broken one's job -- maybe. But mechanic says it's really best to replace the pair.

And how about replacing the whole shifter assembly with one from Latvia or somewhere else? (And by the way, was the Latvian one set up for left hand drive? That should be interesting.) Mechanic says that's not necessary unless I take him cables and, as he goes to install them, he finds something wrong with the assembly already in place. Huh? So even having new cables in hand might not get Scamper scampering again? Geeeeeeze Loueeeeeze.

I threw that last bit in because it looks as though I've found a pair of cables at Hellenbrook, a small auto "dismantler" in Upstate New York. I'd talked to the owner a week ago. Then, he said he had "at least ten" 1998 Volvos, but it might take weeks to find out if any fitted the bill. I checked in with him today anyway. He said he did have one with the cables, that it drove perfectly, that it was in the shop for a cablectomy, and that he'll send a picture after the operation. So I'm basically holding my breath to see whether this will solve the current crisis. (Obviously, if a replacement shifter assembly is needed, Hellenbrook has that, too.)

But getting this whopper worry sorted out won't get me off this site. Even in the extremely unlikely event that nothing else goes wrong with my 28 year old car, I'll come back for common sense, creativity, competence, good humor, and true generosity of spirit. Y'all are great.

Will report soon as I know more. Meanwhile, more thanks and many cheers.

-- Toni

[abscate]

Hellenbrook? Maybe Ellenburg way up North ? Get us the address and we might be able to chase parts.

[foggydogg]

If the Northern connection doesn't pan out, Robert likely has a few, but he's stuck in Houston at the moment. No telling what he has stashed in Lemonade. He would also know compatibility with 'aughts.

[abscate]

Toni , don’t pay crazy money for these, we will find them for something reasonable. That $400 quoted above is gouging, and we don’t do that here.

[SOURDOUGHJIM]

At work we had several A35C Volvo articulated haulers. Our Volvo construction equipment dealer was able to get us the Volvo drawing of an obsolete radiator hose. So, it is possible to get a drawing of an obsolete part from Volvo. It's probably not easy from the dealers point of view, but not unheard of.

[volvolugnut]

I am thinking outside the box here on making replacement shift cables.
Push/pull cables are fairly common industrial parts. If they are available in about the same size and length, perhaps the ends could be swapped form the old cables (if the ends are still good). Some thread and mounting adapters might be needed. Adapters are not too hard to make.
Old cables or Volvo dimensional drawings would be needed to source and design/build needed parts.
Other high mileage manual Volvos will need these cables.
volvolugnut

[ToniSCAMPER]

Folks --

Crafted a good response to all your questions and suggestions last night and hit "SUBMIT," at which point the message apparently vaporized. I'm truly not up to today's tech standards. But I'll try again more briefly.

I've been driving Scamper (my '98 5-speed manual Volvo wagon) for almost 13 years without any apparent shifter problems. Then, about two months ago, reverse started failing occasionally. And on January 23 on the way to the shop after reverse had failed completely, second went out. Shortly after, mechanic said "shifter cables" (plural) had to be replaced or car would have to be junked.

Can car still be driven? Sure, in first, third, and maybe fifth. Bad idea. Could a single cable solve the problem? Theoretically, yes -- if, that is, that cable governed side to side movement in the shift assembly. But replacement of the pair would be preferable. What failed in the cable? The tip just plain broke. Mechanic says new bushings wouldn't help; aftermarket tips are a bad idea, and DIY fabrication would be too chancy. As for a picture? Mechanic says not possible because everything is still in place in the car. And would a replacement shift assembly be a good idea? Not necessary -- unless, of course, after everything is pulled out a problem is found with the one in place. Huh? What?

I threw that last bit in because I'm pretty sure I've found cables at Helenbrook Auto, a "dismantler" in Upstate New York. Monday of last week, owner told me he had "at least ten '98 Volvos," but it could take weeks for him to find out whether any of them would be an appropriate donor. I called him yesterday anyway. He had found one, had tested it, and it was actually in the shop for a cablectomy after which he would send me a picture for my mechanic. Obviously, if Scamper's shift assembly is also defective, a replacement could come from the same car. But I'm not relaxing -- or even letting out my held breath -- unless and until this whole process actually happens. And if it does, that won't diminish the tiniest bit my gratitude for the help and support y'all have offered. You're great.

Will report back.

Appreciatively.

[abscate]

Helenbrook is way up in Alexander NY, off Route 20 maybe an hour out of Buffalo.

Funny that I know where it is, but I commuted three years ago, like 40, for work.

[foggydogg]

Folks --




I threw that last bit in because I'm pretty sure I've found cables at Helenbrook Auto, a "dismantler" in Upstate New York. Monday of last week, owner told me he had "at least ten '98 Volvos," but it could take weeks for him to find out whether any of them would be an appropriate donor. I called him yesterday anyway. He had found one, had tested it, and it was actually in the shop for a cablectomy after which he would send me a picture for my mechanic. Obviously, if Scamper's shift assembly is also defective, a replacement could come from the same car. But I'm not relaxing -- or even letting out my held breath -- unless and until this whole process actually happens. And if it does, that won't diminish the tiniest bit my gratitude for the help and support y'all have offered. You're great.

Will report back.

Appreciatively.

Weather may have slowed things down a bit upstate, let us know if the salvors have the cables ?

[abscate]

You can drive a Volvo with only 1-3-5 for quite a long time. Run up first a bit before 3, which you can use up to 50 mph

A bit easier in an LPT, than a HPT or NA , as the torque comes early on an LPT