What did you do to your 850/X70 today???

[Luxobarge]

So, with the MoT looming, I had a premonition that work would be required, so a quick shuffle underneath the back of the car revealed one leaking shock absorber, a rusty fuel tank filler pipe clamp and a large crack in the exhaust where the main pipe meets the rear of the main "suitcase" silencer box. So over the past few weeks, exhaust is now welded, and the fuel tank clamp and both shock absorbers replaced for new units, very expensive but this car's a keeper so worth it.

Today went for the MoT and passed with no advisories, so all worked well in the end, we're good to go for another year. Happy days!

[RollingThunder]

Last weekend was quite busy - due to other engagements, illness and a holiday the MoT had expired on my 850R. Unfortunately I couldn't just get it tested as the radiator had started leaking quite badly, so IMHO it wasn't safe to leave it idling for any length of time.

The radiator swap was a royal PITA. I've done this on an 850R many years ago and remember it being a pain back then Anyway, many hours later, the new Nissens radiator is in place and the engine is running as sweetly as ever.

I also replaced the fuel hose that connects the rigid supply line to the injector rail - that was a near miss if ever there was one - the cracking had penetrated perhaps 2/3 of the way through in some places - not good for a reasonably high pressure fuel hose! More on that here - https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=333198

So I now need to get the car tested, and then it'll be back on the road again. I love how smooth the whiteblock sounds compared to the redblock in my 940! Engineering gorgeousness

I've decided to treat the car to some cosmetic attention too, and have bought some Gtechniq C4 trim treatment - hopefully all the grey trim will look like new after that. (It costs enough )

[Barnoluk]

PCV system replace, oil and filter change, vacuum line swaps, degreased part of engine

[RollingThunder]

Its another clean sheet The 850R flew through the MoT test again with no advisories.

Might need to overhaul/adjust the handbrake before the next test though - it was a close call on handbrake efficiency. I think I'll just fit all new brakes tbh - got a front 302mm kit in the garage thats been waiting a year to be fitted, along with the Police spec pads, so may as well get new rear discs and pads and do a fluid refresh while I'm at it.

The tester stood still at one point and I was getting worried. I asked him if there was a problem, and he replied that he was just listening to the engine ticking over - he loved it Phew!

[El Padrino]

Originally Posted by RollingThunder

Its another clean sheet The 850R flew through the MoT test again with no advisories.

Might need to overhaul/adjust the handbrake before the next test though - it was a close call on handbrake efficiency. I think I'll just fit all new brakes tbh - got a front 302mm kit in the garage thats been waiting a year to be fitted, along with the Police spec pads, so may as well get new rear discs and pads and do a fluid refresh while I'm at it.

The tester stood still at one point and I was getting worried. I asked him if there was a problem, and he replied that he was just listening to the engine ticking over - he loved it Phew!

Well done on another MOT pass Rolling Thunder. I wouldn't expect anything less from your car.

[RollingThunder]

Thanks, I appreciate that

[280E]

Replaced the rear springs this morning.

The MoT-failed left hand side was in three pieces - the other side had also snapped on the upper last half-turn

I'll get the old girl re-tested later this week, so will hopefully be a bit more saleable with 12 months' MoT

[Luxobarge]

Wow, I bet the old ones weren't too hard to get out!

A stunning tribute to the standard of our roads these days......

[280E]

TBH, I think they might well be the original springs - which would put paid to any warranty claims

[ASt85]

Originally Posted by 280E

TBH, I think they might well be the original springs - which would put paid to any warranty claims

Apparently there was a dodgy batch of rear springs fitted by Volvo around and about 2004/5, which failed around the 40K mark!
Mine failed at 41k in 2017, I fitted Lesjöfors which exceed the OEM spec.