Got myself a V70 2.5T SE

[4x4]

If only the V70 headlamps were as simple as the XC90 when bulbs require changing, whoever decided that a bumper off job would be a good idea should be shot.



The bulbs are all original, the bumper has never been off in the last 18 years. The indicator bulbs are starting to show a bit of white light so it was time to change before my MOT guy complains. The side lights are starting to look black so I changed them while I was in there

[ajm]

It is possible to change the headlight bulbs without taking the bumper off (I've never removed the bumper on my V70) but I agree it's maddeningly awkward - all the more maddening when you've had older models where changing the bulbs was trivial.

[Georgeandkira]

4X4 above: "...I've never understood why more people don't use winter tyres, the difference is night and day ..."

After I bought a neighbor's $200 set of 4 mounted (steel), used, Norwegian snows, "night and day" is what I tell anyone who'll listen.

We test fit a front wheel. Cleared the caliper OK but rubbed slightly at full turn on the inside only. Volvo sells fitted metal scuff plates for the exact spot in the wheel well.

A taller sidewall + narrower than usual is the formula for snow tires where I grew up. This set matched street ratio (55) but were 20 wider (225 vs. 205).

Plus, the grey V70 looks meaner with bada$$ steel wheels and no covers!

[lynns hubby]

as said above, it is possible to change the bulbs without removing the bumper but it is a very awkward tsk to complete. It is beyond me why the design is this way for something like a bulb replacement as we all know that it will be required at some stage. Gone are the days when you noticed your headlights were not as good as they should be and stopped on the side of the road to change the bulb.
I doubt Volvos are the only challenging ones to change.
No doubt its why you see so many cars driving around with only ONE headlight nowadays.

[4x4]

I value the skin on my hands and knuckles more than having to remove the front bumper, plus the removal of electrical junctions to gain access is something I would rather avoid as we all know it can cause poor connections when plugged back in.

[4x4]

Prepping yesterday for today's job of giving the V70 a brake fluid change, I have no paperwork of it ever being done before and if it really is 18 years old it's long overdue. Today's job was to try and loosen the bleed screws which I really wasn't looking forward to. The plan was to soak all the nipples with PlusGas overnight in the hope they would come out without breaking. However I was a tad impatient and with both rear wheels removed and the bleed screws soaked them in Plus Gas I decided to start by lightly tapping the surrounding area with a small hammer, first one side, then the other, more PlusGas and more tapping and repeat. I then dug out my vintage Snap-On RXSM-11 flare nut spanner which I've had for over 45 years and applied some pressure to the bleed nipple. to my surprise they cracked open and I allowed a small amount of fluid seep out. The front was done with the same procedure and all 4 are ready for today if I manage to source the correct but rather scarce DOT4+ fluid.





While I had wheels off I decided to test fit the recently refurbished Mimas winter wheels to make sure they were not rubbing, glad I did this before winter as I had to remove the excess the powder coating from the centre bore which is a total ballache to do.




Edit...

Well I managed to find the rather elusive DOT4+ in the guise of an MB tin. My local MB appear to have it in abundance and as it meets the correct specifications required by Volvo and is readily available I'm going to crack on with replenishing my fluid today.

The MB part# for anyone struggling to find DOT4+ is A000989560509 which supersedes part# A000989560511

[lynns hubby]

New bleed nipples are available on line for penny's. I ordered a set before I started my fluid change as I know from experience, you can end up going down the route of a small pair of stilsons as the size reduces with rust etc breaking off.
Didnt think DOT 4+ was rare. Motor factors should stock it. Would be much cheaper than MB !!!!!

[4x4]

Brakes bled so another job ticked off the list

[old onions]

Originally Posted by stuart bowes

Probably if you live in Scotland it's more likely to snow for enough of the year to make it worthwhile

Here in the deep south I don't know anyone who does it probably because it's not worth the cost for that 1 day of the year with a 30% chance of white stuff

I do change from 225/45 x 17 summer tyres to 205/55 x 16 winter tyres every year (and I live south of you, albeit not by a lot)

I have the winter tyres mounted on steel wheels which don't look too bad with wheel trims on, and changing over all 4 is now about a 90 minute job (after a lot of practice)

I venture into the wilds each winter for white water kayaking, and I value both the extra grip and the more compliant ride. OK it might not snow each year BUT the extra grip when the temperature falls is really worth it , to me anyway.

[4x4]

So this is what 18 year old brake fluid looks like?