The Volvo Repair Tutorials Source
This article is designed to explain how to tackle replacing the rear shock absorber and/or spring. This is a fairly easy job to do. The first thing is making sure you have the tools for the job. You need to be able to raise and support the rear of the car one side at […]
Probably one of the easiest diy jobs on your 240 is the oil change. This requires obviously a suitable oil (there is much debate about what oil is best which I won’t get involved in) and a filter. I always use Volvo filters as their price has come down to very reasonable levels and […]
For this you will need a distributor cap, rotor arm and set of leads. First with regards leads I prefer the Volvo ones as they are all the correct lengths and excellent quality. When ordering these they comes as a set of four and the king (coil) lead is a separate part as the […]
For this you will need the following: A plug socket which contains a rubber cushion: You will also need a ratchet handle, an extension (2 are useful one about 2″ – 50mm and one 4-6″ 100-150mm and a set of plugs. Different people have different opinions as to what make to use. I personally find […]
There are bushes in the following locations: Front to back Top arm – both ends (onto axle and onto body – both bushes are in the arm) These control the axle from twisting Bottom arm both ends (onto axle and onto body – one bush on arm the other is on the axle) These […]
One of the problem areas with the 240s are the headlamps on the 81 on models. The biggest problem is that they are held on by three M6 bolts who’s head is held captive by the plastic and the nut tends to rust onto the bolt. The result is that the bolt then turns […]
It is fairly easy to access the stalks for the indicators and the wipers for replacement. This first picture with the steering wheel removed is to show how they are fitted. It is not necessary to remove it. Replacement is simple you will require a cross head screwdriver and on late models a torx […]
Thought this guide to replacing wishbone bushes might be helpful. I will make the assumption that you know how to remove the wishbones. Removal of the bushes is possible without a hydraulic press if you have a large strong vice. Rear bush – this is held onto the wishbone by a 19mm nut which […]
In this article I am going to try and show what is involved in performing an engine swap on a 240. I would remind you of the need for the correct working space tools and equipment and the need to take any necessary safety precautions. I have not gone into full details on everything […]
The first thing to do before starting this job is to make sure you have everything you need. Apart from normal tools you will specifically need a pair of good spring compressors (essential). You will also need a 24mm offset ring spanner and a good quality adjustable spanner for loosening shock retaining nut. Brake […]
I know a lot of people are not technically minded but I urge anyone to replace their own bulbs if they fail rather than going to a garage who would charge you lots for the privilege. Volvo XC90’s have the best design for bulb replacement I’ve ever seen, rather than spending time grazing your knuckles […]
Here is a simple guide to replacing the rear pads on my >07 Volvo with electric parking brake. This is based on solely my own experience having just done it but I take no responsibility for the contents! I used an Autel MaxiEST EST201 with V1.08 software for the release and reactivation of the Electric […]
I replaced my front near-side wing on a fine sunny spring Saturday morning, it was almost a pleasure. Both my front wings have rusted and so will yours unless you rustproof them now. I reckon they rust due to a wing mount rubbing against the wing itself and removing the enamel coating, causing the […]
This is how to replace the cabin pollen multi filter for cars with ECC particulate sensors on a mk2 V70 (2000 to 2007), XC70 (2000 to 2007), mk1 S60 (2000 to 2010), mk1 S80 (1998 to 20069 and XC90 (2003 to 2015) . Remove the passenger side kick panel by unscrewing the two torx screws marked with green. […]
The other weekend I put some new pads and discs on the back of my 850 so wanted to post the photos in case it helps someone else attempting this job for the first time. Here’s the rear wheels off, ready to start. Here’s the retaining pins being knocked out. I used various diameter […]
Hi folks, After talking to several people it was agreed my 850R estate’s front nearside damper was on its way out. It had been riding particularly harshly over potholes on that side, and despite passing an MOT in August it was continuing to bounce once or twice after a firm compression. I asked a friend […]
Hi folks, another job today was replacing my aux belt tensioner. It had been squeaking for some time, and neither WD-40 nor 3-in-1 light oil was helping long-term. I found a new one listed on eBay as a Renault Laguna/Safrane part. It’s identical to the one several Volvos (including my 850). I paid £15 […]
Hi folks, Well my latest home mechanics task was to buy a 2nd hand TD04HL-15G straight flange turbo off eBay (about £70), buy a generic TD04 refurb kit (about £50 off eBay) and see what happens. Here’s the outcome… Here’s a shot of 2 different TD04 refurb kits off eBay. I ended up using the […]
Hi, Today I finally got around to replacing the rear flexible brake hoses on my 850. As I’d imagined, this wasn’t as easy as the fronts 🙂 I chocked the front wheels, put it in park (optional for those with manual boxes!), loosened the wheel bolts and jacked up the car, placing an axle […]
Hi guys, way back when I bought the brackets to put the Porsche 993TT calipers on the front of my 850, I also asked CJ to send out the rear brackets for fitting S60R rear calipers. Many thanks to Tony who helped me eventually source a set of these elusive rear calipers. Thanks also […]
I finally got round to removing the oil pump on my spare engine – maybe others’ll find the photos useful. I fabricated a tool from sheet aluminium to hold the aux belt pulley while undoing the 36mm crankshaft nut. With the nut off, I used a cheapo Laser 6″ puller to draw the pulley […]
I think this has been done a lot in the USA but not so much here in Uk. Anyway, foolishly my brother-in-law said we should swap my 850R auto to a manual over the Easter weekend – and I decided to take him up on it. We decided it would be a better idea […]
This is a guide to changing the original washer nozzles (2 jet type) on the Phase 1 (1995-2000) Volvo S40/V40 to the mist type jets found on later models. The original jets look like this: And produce a spray pattern like this: It covers very little of the windscreen and requires more water to […]
This is probably simple for a few, but hopefully will help those who want to save some money and replace their right hand engine mount which is a common failure item on the S40. First of all get your car on a level surface and support your engine using a jack along with a […]
Guide to replacing the left hand (gearbox side) engine mounting bracket. Step 1 Remove the air filter assembly by unclipping the boost control valve, the jubilee clip holding the box to the air intake pipe and then undoing the two retaining screws. There is a third retaining point, but its just a peg in […]
This is a very simple job that can make your car idle smoother and sort out a few other problems such as occasional hunting and reduce the effect the a/c compressor engaging has on idle speed. Step 1 Remove the engine cover if your model has one. Mine is a T4 and requires a […]
Whilst fault finding on my car I needed to rule out my headlight switch as a problem, whilst this is by no means a service item, a few people have commented about switch contacts causing issue so here’s how to get to it and clean it Step 1 There are two posidrive screws that […]
When I bought my Volvo I found the performance was lacking somewhat and something didn’t feel quite right when pulling off. I also noticed the cruise control was moving the accelerator pedal far more than I expected it would. All these problems were attributed to a loose throttle cable. The reason for the weird […]
The air filter performs a simple task, you guessed it filters air. The reason for this is that air contains lots of tiny (and not so tiny) particles of dirt that could run riot if they made their way into the engine. Trapped dirt particles could get wedged between the piston and the bore causing […]
Your spark plugs perform an essential role for your engine and should be monitored/maintained regularly. If plugs fail they can cause all sorts of damaging effects to an engine so you shouldn’t cut corners with these. If nothing else you should look at your plugs at least every year to see what’s going on […]