240 General: Recommended Garage (East London)

[ktz]

Hi all,

Reluctantly, I am thinking of taking my 240GL Estate to the garage. I've was very keen to get all the work done on the car myself and had started to (with the help from some on this forum) nail down some of what ailed it. Recently I've done my back in and it's not really getting better at pace. That coupled with the fact that the car is now salvaged (repairable) due to being hit by a lorry whilst parked, a visit to a garage now seems inevitable.

It may be a lost cause and I may have to break it up (would be sad), but wanted to ask first if there were any community recommended garages in or close to East London that others have used. I have a garage about 5 houses down from me, but he has already told me he doesn't know much about the older Volvos and I would rather really go to someone who has experience with them.

Anyone have any suggestions?

I've been combing the stickies and searching the threads, but haven't come up with any preexisting thread, so apologies if I missed it.

Best,
Joel

[Stephen Edwin]

Hello and welcome.

I do not know the answer. It does seem you have two problems. Mechanical maintenance, and bodywork. They may need separate garages? Surely East London still has "small workshops"? Ask around.

More knowledgeable members might be better able to advise re the bodywork if you tell us what the damage is to the bodywork and perhaps post some pictures?

I hope you do not have to break the car.

And above all, all the best re your health.

[ovlov236]

Hello
i do remember reading somewhere about this welder called weld-rite in east london i have not experience or knowledge of this company might be worth a ring visit however as stephen said not sure of your issues with the car would be a shame to let it die try also braydons for secondhand panels steve in parts dept always helpful anyway best of luck ----- louise

[ktz]

Thanks for your replies, very much appreciated.

Sorry I should have clarified what is actually wrong! The lorry, despite its size did little damage to the body. Effectively it just cracked a headlight and potentially did something to the transmission, but I have driven it since so it’s not fully gone yet. I know there are some other bits (preaccident) I need to sorting like an electrical gremlin and some new engine and trans mounts.

[Bugjam1999]

Hi,

Replacing the engine and transmission mounts is a simple job- any garage will be able to do that for you, or you could with pretty basic tools- socket set, jack, stands etc.

Cracked headlight is also a pretty simple job, you can buy replacement glass- and reflectors which could be changed at the same time if yours are in need of it.

Did you get to the bottom of the battery drain issue?

What makes you think there’s something wrong with the transmission? Is it auto or manual?

Where in east London are you?

Cheers

[ktz]

Hi @Bugjam – thanks for the reply.

Replacing the engine and transmission mounts is a simple job- any garage will be able to do that for you, or you could with pretty basic tools- socket set, jack, stands etc.

Aye, I have seen and read some tutorials on this and it looked pretty basic, but really only with something to lift / support the engine. I was going to invest in the stands and jack (especially for the future), but then figured if I had to take it in to get it signed off anyway, then I may as well have them do it.

Cracked headlight is also a pretty simple job, you can buy replacement glass- and reflectors which could be changed at the same time if yours are in need of it.

It was until I screwed it up. I bought a new piece of glass and was ready to go, but then the bolts fixing the headlight unit to the car we rusted shut. I did what I could to loosen them, but ended up stripping the (poorly designed) plastic "grips" that hold them on the inside of the lights. I had to then drill out the bolts and with that, seemingly damaged it even more. Still might be repairable with some resin (or washers, bypassing that little recess completely), but then all the little clips holding the lights in are also crumbling. The more I unravelled, the more it felt unsurmountable. One of the front wipers also broke, but I'm not that fussed about that. The cost of a replacement seems to be more than it's worth.

Did you get to the bottom of the battery drain issue?

I tried everything under the sun but couldn't seem to find it. I tested and cleaned every fuse looking for the slow drain, but even with all of them in, checking the battery it didn't read anything. After I had replaced the battery it seem that something that I had done had fixed it sat for a week or two and still started, but then despite driving it at least once a week, the problem reared its ugly head again. I remember someone in another thread mentioning a short in the locking mechanism due to water ingress via the window seals, so I just bought new ones to try that out, but somehow I'm not hopeful.

What makes you think there’s something wrong with the transmission? Is it auto or manual?

It's a manual. It seemed ok, but the lorry dragged it about 5 -6 ft up a slight hill (backwards) and it may have been in gear, so I wanted to get it checked just in case. The parking brake might need a little love as well.

Where in east London are you?

I'm in Bow E3 (Just off the A12 / Tredegar rd).