The Joy Of 240's, with issues...

[CosmicBike]

Originally Posted by Clifford Pope

I once had exactly the opposite problem - the rear bush was reasonably tight, but not tight enough, and the bush started turning in the arm on bumps.

There was a few years ago a long thread on Brickboard about this problem, and it was felt that it was partly the fault of the Volvo fitment of handed bushes for a period. The rubber on one side was harder than the other, allegedly to compensate for the natural road camber.
There followed a long conversation on the lines that the harder bush surely ought to go on the side nearer the kerb, or curb in US, whereas Volvo fitting guidance made no distinction.
In the end the modification was deleted, and I think bushes are now identical.

The trouble was accerbated by previous replacement of a bush, especially by a harder one, which expanded the hole in the arm. It was argued that it was better always to fit a replacement arm as well as a bush - or else to put a few spot welds around the metal flange of the bush to lock it in place.

Interesting. The rear bushes are still sold as 'handed', at least those I ordered from Parts For Volvos are.
I replaced the arm at the same time, it was looking slightly worse for wear so made sense.

[CosmicBike]

A decided flat at the bottom NSR tyre at 0700hrs at work after a night shift was most unwelcome. Split valve, so off to my local tyre man and replaced for a drink, always good to have independents around.
New (used) tailgate hinges arrived today, chrome which is not quite right but I'm not precious. I'll knock up new looms at the same time as I replace them.

[CosmicBike]

A fun filled few hours this morning, playing with tailgate hinges and wiring. Only 2 wires intact through the hinge on the drivers side with the remaining pair cracked, so new 4 wire loom made up and soldered in. The hinge itself was broken along it's length, and the sticky outy bit that goes into the tailgate was broken off. Suitably fixed, that side of the tailgate now lines up with the body.

The passenger side had seen some loom 'repairs' external to the hinge. Again, pulled the lot out, new loom, hinge broken along the length again (held together with gaffer tape...). New hinge, aligned, all very nice.

White grease and silicone spray applied to the gas struts and ball mounts to stop the squeaking, striker plate adjusted.

I now have a non-squeaky, nice fitting tailgate. And the central locking now works on it!

Getting there, rear light clusters next, and that tiny little spring in the door lock that stops the knob dropping just enough to lock you out. A whopping 0.78 Euros from Skandix, but £22 post. Looking around I thing the ones from a Merc are the same, and £2.99 on ebay. Seems expensive for a spring, maybe I'll make one....

[Othen]

Originally Posted by CosmicBike

A fun filled few hours this morning, playing with tailgate hinges and wiring. Only 2 wires intact through the hinge on the drivers side with the remaining pair cracked, so new 4 wire loom made up and soldered in. The hinge itself was broken along it's length, and the sticky outy bit that goes into the tailgate was broken off. Suitably fixed, that side of the tailgate now lines up with the body.

The passenger side had seen some loom 'repairs' external to the hinge. Again, pulled the lot out, new loom, hinge broken along the length again (held together with gaffer tape...). New hinge, aligned, all very nice.

White grease and silicone spray applied to the gas struts and ball mounts to stop the squeaking, striker plate adjusted.

I now have a non-squeaky, nice fitting tailgate. And the central locking now works on it!

Getting there, rear light clusters next, and that tiny little spring in the door lock that stops the knob dropping just enough to lock you out. A whopping 0.78 Euros from Skandix, but £22 post. Looking around I thing the ones from a Merc are the same, and £2.99 on ebay. Seems expensive for a spring, maybe I'll make one....

At nearly £23 for a spring, I’d have a go at making one, or find another one that fitted first :-)

[CosmicBike]

Originally Posted by Othen

At nearly £23 for a spring, I’d have a go at making one, or find another one that fitted first :-)

I may even bend a paper clip!!

On another note, both of the rear number plate lights are falling out, I think whatever retaining clip part has broken off long ago, so both held in with gaffer tape for now. I'm leaning towards buying replacement complete LED units, generic type things off ebay or similar. I wonder if anyone has similar experience?

[Othen]

Originally Posted by CosmicBike

I may even bend a paper clip!!

On another note, both of the rear number plate lights are falling out, I think whatever retaining clip part has broken off long ago, so both held in with gaffer tape for now. I'm leaning towards buying replacement complete LED units, generic type things off ebay or similar. I wonder if anyone has similar experience?

That is the spirit: a bent paper clip or the spring out of a biro will be much more satisfying than a £23 one.

Not with a Volvo (or even a car) but I've used generic LED rights many times on motorbikes, particularly on trials and green bikes. They work really well and seem to last a very long time. I used some on my bike trailer as well (rear, stops and indicators all built into one unit for next to no money).

[CosmicBike]

Not got around to the door lock fix yet had the builders in the past 3 weeks so pre-occupied with doing a bit of labour for them, added to the fact that my driveway is full of skip, mixer etc etc so Grace is parked down the road. She continues to run well, I reckon the engine mounts are wearing in as it's getting slightly less 'buzzy' inside, and the last tank to tank fill gave me 29mpg. My hinge loom repairs mean I now also have a working heated rear screen, well timed for Winter.
Cosmetics, I finally tracked down the drivers door trim which should be here in the next couple of days, which leaves only the long sill trim. I have 2 contacts who have one, both 200 miles away, so perhaps on our Summer hols we'll pass by...

[Othen]

Originally Posted by CosmicBike

Not got around to the door lock fix yet had the builders in the past 3 weeks so pre-occupied with doing a bit of labour for them, added to the fact that my driveway is full of skip, mixer etc etc so Grace is parked down the road. She continues to run well, I reckon the engine mounts are wearing in as it's getting slightly less 'buzzy' inside, and the last tank to tank fill gave me 29mpg. My hinge loom repairs mean I now also have a working heated rear screen, well timed for Winter.
Cosmetics, I finally tracked down the drivers door trim which should be here in the next couple of days, which leaves only the long sill trim. I have 2 contacts who have one, both 200 miles away, so perhaps on our Summer hols we'll pass by...

29 MPG is excellent. The RB stays at 25 MPG, which is just about what one might expect from a 3 speed auto... we'll have to see if that 4 speed AW71 auto box project flies :-)

Alan

[Bob Meadows]

Quote:~ "On another note, both of the rear number plate lights are falling out"

When the metal fixing parts of the light are not stainless the same will rust away leading to this problem:
Remove the lamps together with the rusted parts and give them a good clean-the gasket should also be removed.

Cut narrow strips of VHB double sided tape and fix to the light body-- press the unit back into place (clean body metal) and you should find them ok.
Bob.
(1988 240 estate)

[CosmicBike]

Originally Posted by Bob Meadows

Quote:~ "On another note, both of the rear number plate lights are falling out"

When the metal fixing parts of the light are not stainless the same will rust away leading to this problem:
Remove the lamps together with the rusted parts and give them a good clean-the gasket should also be removed.

Cut narrow strips of VHB double sided tape and fix to the light body-- press the unit back into place (clean body metal) and you should find them ok.
Bob.
(1988 240 estate)

Good shout, I'll add it to the list