V70 Body/Trim: Rat catcher

[100K+]

I have just been congratulating John on selling his V70R and Iwas reminded of an issue I had with my R which cost me £1100 to resolve. It may apply to any AWD V70.
Partway down the exhaust just at the rear of the first resonator box there is a bracket fastened by two bolts either side of the transmission tunnel. This bracket hangs down a little and protudes forward down the car.
If you catch this bracket on anything ever so slightly , the bracket swings down at the front, pivots on the bolts and the rear of the bracket drives up pushing the exhaust into the propshaft, and usually kinks it requiring replacement.
I attach two pics the first showing the damage, the second showing the location of the bracket bolts. I removed the bracket and replaced the bolts.
I have read of owners removing the first resonator box altogether and welding a straight pipe, but I did not do that.
Its an easy job with car on ramps,n not impossible to do without.
But its the first job I'd do on another Type R or AWD if the bracket is there.

Cheers

Bob

[Georgeandkira]

Hello, These are the first photos of the infamous 'bracket scratch' I've ever sen. In your first picture the propshaft was merely scored. You caught it in time. The propshaft in your R cost the 1,100? Did they include a new bracket for that money? Rather disheartening to think a "rugged image" company like Volvo would okay such a cheap, flimsy bracket. Kira

[100K+]

Originally Posted by Georgeandkira

Hello, These are the first photos of the infamous 'bracket scratch' I've ever sen. In your first picture the propshaft was merely scored. You caught it in time. The propshaft in your R cost the 1,100? Did they include a new bracket for that money? Rather disheartening to think a "rugged image" company like Volvo would okay such a cheap, flimsy bracket. Kira

Unfortunatly Kira the shaft was dinked - sorry not that good a pic. The shaft came from Sweden as Volvo UK did not have stock. The shaft was about £900the rest labour,n no have not refitted bracket.
Its the bracket design and location rather than material - catch it -it pivots >£1000 please the exhaust/shaft are too close to avoid damage.
The annoying/stupid thing - I'd read about removing the bracket on several forums.......... IDIOT

Cheers

Bob