What did you do to your Volvo today? Topic is solved

[scot850]

i crawled out beside the 'R' yet again to replace (yet again!) the mushroom push studs holding the silly little mud-flap in place just forward of the rear wheels. I'm guessing it is there to prevent stones getting thrown up into the AWD rear suspension and sub-frame. Every time the dealer does (yet another) alignment, 4 in the last year, they drive it onto the drive on ramp and it catches the little mud flaps and breaks at least one of the push studs off. I always forget to check and only find out when I get home.

Tried to figure out why I feel less confined by the driver's seat-belt in my NA over the 'R'. Still not sure why but issue is still there!

Still have the 3rd trans drain/fill to do like bmdubya on the NA trans. 2nd one still looked nasty, even though it was supposedly swapped out 50,000 miles ago.

Neil.

[brunocerous]

I attached an IPD aluminum skid plate on the ol' 1998 V70, with upgraded bolts to avoid the inevitable rust (thanks to my brother)!

Who's up for off-roading?

IPD skid plate on a V70

[brunocerous]

I finally ordered the shift knob lever for $15 (thanks, bro!) and watched a couple of videos before tackling it.

The knob was much easier to remove than expected. I was prepared to pull up on the shifter with the strength of 10,000 men, but it popped off with almost zero effort. (Or maybe I'm that buff from tightening bolts here and there?)

The lever took considerable more force to snap back into place than I had thought. After placing the spring back in its spot, I had to really squeeze the part to get the pins to snap back into place.

While the shifter was getting harder to maneuver for a good two or three months, I just figured it was a function of my 1998 V70's advanced age. Getting the key out of the ignition required digging the button out from its recessed position with increasing frequency, though I hadn't noticed how cracked the lever was until I got the knob off.

The repair was 100 percent worth it, even if the new part is black vs. the OE gray color. I'm just sorry I didn't do it sooner.

Broken 1998 V70 shift knob lever

Replaced 1998 V70 shift knob lever

[brunocerous]

Didn't do anything on any of my cars today, but made a successful run to the 2 PnP's locally. Needed parts for the 2 sets of roof bars I have for my P80's and there happened to be 2 cars, each one fitted with the 2 types of roof cross-bars. Got all the parts I needed, and also found a rear arm rest with the built in booster seat in black. I have promised one of these in exchange for some parts I was given recently, but the one they were going to be taking was in oak/taupe when their car was black. So happy to be able to pass one on in the correct color!

Went to the other PnP as they had got a 05 XC90 in with a good grille. Couldn't believe it was still there as the car has been there for a few days. I have been looking for one for our 06 XC70 for about 6 years and they never come up for sale. 01-04 for come up all the time but not 05-07. So a successful trip!

Neil.

Those sound like some great PnP runs! My rear seat belt (double) buckle receiver stopped working for my middle child when we were all running errands last weekend, which was pretty scary. So, after dropping off one of them at home, I took the two boys to a local junkyard and found an almost-exact match. They were faded and the part number was different, but it looked the same, so I bought it for $25 and installed it right away. Thus inspired to search for a used rear hatch latch, a fuel line and a beige glovebox for my brother's S70, I visited four junkyards in the next few days without success. But I did find a tailgate latch on eBay!

Oh, how I wish I had more PnP options near me! Maybe a road trip is in order!

Rear seat belts on a 1998 V70

[Rondo]

Not today, but over the last two weekends, I replaced the majority of the front suspension with the exception of the sway bar. Front and rear brakes and rear shocks and mounts. For financial and time reasons, I went with the Gabriel ReadyMounts. I know, I know. But the price and ease of execution lured me in. I'll let everyone know how it goes in a few thousand miles. Next is sourcing the vibration I have when accelerating. FUN!

[bmdubya1198]

I really need to replace the button on my shift knob. I have to practically hammer the knob with my hand every time to get the button to pop out. I've done some serious damage to my hand with that thing!

[brunocerous]

On an ongoing suggestion from my brother, I finally ordered and installed a new throttle cable to replace what appears to be the rusty, stretched-out original on the ol' 1998 V70.

The trickiest part was removing the clip at the firewall. I removed the lower dash panel (one T-25 torx screw) to get a better look at where the cable comes through the firewall but the insulation looked pretty solid. So, instead I pulled the cable with a vise grip from the engine side, and it popped out on the second try.

I connected the u-shaped clip at the throttle bracket first, and feeding the cable through the firewall was a breeze. The ball end went right through the accelerator pedal mechanism on the first try. Next, I connected the cable to the throttle mechanism, and lastly the firewall clip.

The wagon now accelerates with a feather touch, and it helps me imagine what it must've felt like as a new vehicle. Totally worth it!

Throttle cable in a 1998 V70, old and new

Lower dash panel removed, V70

[manovlov]

Hy,

I've replaced the bracket that hols the steering pump, the generator and the A/C (gaz empty already) compressor.

Now I'm waiting for my galion of Meguiers'ACP to clean the interior of all the car. May be will I move seats.

Cheers.

[ChadLee]

I used Cerium Oxide and a buffing pad to try and remove some nasty scratches on the windshield. 2 hours and multiple grits later, I hope to have smoothed out the problem area. Went to have the tires rotated only to learn that the front need replacing. Did a control arm, tie rod and rear shocks and was holding off on a alignment until I did the front struts.....bad move. Appointment for an alignment on Wednesday. After a heater core install a few weeks ago, I am still flushing out my drivers side carpet. 3 flushes with the shop vac and seeing if feline pine will wick out the remaining moisture in the pad. Feel free to share any words of wisdom, I am pretty new to the self maintenance of my car to this extent.

[bmdubya1198]

The best way to take care of the coolant soaked carpet is to remove the front seats and console and remove the front carpet (assuming the rear is dry) and degrease and pressure wash it. Wring it out as best you can and let it dry in the sun a couple days. Of course, if you need to drive the car that isn't always an option. What you're doing now is probably your best bet for now.