V70 Body/Trim: Bracket of Death

[Jim314]

The TV program Mythbusters studied the case of the broken driveshaft (propshaft). Here is one report of their findings: http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/my...pole-vault.htm.

Going to the link in the post above, the text of the entry with the picture of the ss wire:

Mad Matt
Senior Member
1997 Volvo 850
My Garage Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Olympia, WA

Here's the replacement bracket that takspeed made for the R's. It's a good alternative if you feel more comfortable having something there. And it should be easy enough to replicate with a trip to you favorite home improvement store.

IIRC takaspeed quit making them cause no one was buying them after JRL on Swedespeed confirmed through VCNA that the brackets sole purpose was the attachment point to move the car down the assembly line, nothing else.

If this is true, then Volvo have been remiss.

[david philips]

why not just leave the bracket on and keep a spanner in the car if the bracket bends it could be removed, repaired at some point and refitted, if it bent and something was rubbing against the drive shaft it would make some noise.

[harveys]

Originally Posted by SourDiesel

There us no way Volvo would fit a bracket if it wasn't required - even it only cost £10 that would be well over a million over the life of the platform. I'd keep it if it was me.

Yes but how many are AWD cars,most would have bent exhausts.

[100K+]

Originally Posted by david philips

why not just leave the bracket on and keep a spanner in the car if the bracket bends it could be removed, repaired at some point and refitted, if it bent and something was rubbing against the drive shaft it would make some noise.

Sorry David, but by the time that happens the braket has rotated up into the exhaust which is then forced into the prop...result kinked prop. From mine and others experience the bracket when it gets caught rotates down from about 9 o clock to about 4 or 5 o'clock, the rear of the bracket which has pivoted on the two bolts moves up from 3 o clock but because of the exhaust and prop can't go any were.
All I can suggest is if you run a AWD look and see the possibilites; do a google search "bracket of doom/death"
I had read of the issue, but chose to do nothing - as I say it cost me >£1000. I don't want members here having to dig for a new prop.
In the USA some Type R owners have removed the bracket and the resonator to give better road clearance - but then their roads are not as good as ours.

Cheers

Bob