Great find!! Volvo 245 - 1978 -

[halfnelson]

Originally Posted by AJ1968

Nice find looks good for age the seats are amazing, They had reflector lights on the rear quarters up to 1978 models, I believe they removed them of the square headlight models in 1979.

I'm not sure? Wondered as they're not on my 76 and I've seen another 76 without. Perhaps a '78 until square headlamp feature?

[jetronic63]

Hi Nick, car looks great and nice to have another forum member in Bournemouth !

Steve

[loki_the_glt]

Originally Posted by Nickchristmas

any tips for changing the front lower ball joints?

If there are 4 bolts visible where the balljoint attaches to the strut you've a got a late-version early car, and a relatively easy job:

Jack up the car and support it on axle stands and chock the back wheels.

Remove the relevant road wheel and remove the 4 bolts from the strut followed by the three that secure the ball-joint to the control arm.

Fit the new balljoint amd torque everything as follows:
Control Arm to Balljoint Nuts - 74-96 lbf ft
Control Arm Balljoint Nut - 37-52 lbf ft
Balljoint to Strut Housing Nuts - 13-21 lbf ft

If the car is an early-version early car things get more complicated, according to the Haynes Manual, as the balljoint nut is accessed from within the strut; perhaps that's best left to a tame mechanic?

Either way, so long as the car hasn't got PAS the same ball-joint is used on both sides; the later PAS-equipped ones have different ball-joints for each side.

[Beetledrive]

Originally Posted by halfnelson

I'm not sure? Wondered as they're not on my 76 and I've seen another 76 without. Perhaps a '78 until square headlamp feature?

My parents old '79 square headlight model definitley had the small red rectangular rear side lamps. I thought they stayed there until the rounded rear lights were changed with the facelift in the early eighties. I would have thought this was because the most current style of lights wrap around the side of the car and can therefore be seen from the side.

[AJ1968]

Originally Posted by Beetledrive

My parents old '79 square headlight model definitley had the small red rectangular rear side lamps. I thought they stayed there until the rounded rear lights were changed with the facelift in the early eighties. I would have thought this was because the most current style of lights wrap around the side of the car and can therefore be seen from the side.

They were removed when the body was restyled in 1979 the boot lid curved and rear lights come round to the side quarters.

1979 - Body restyled: softer rear tail lights and front grills,
trunk lid changed from flat to curved; lock moved from below
to trunk lid. Revised shift linkage M45/M46 transmission.
Some models get new rotary-type knob AC temperature control.

[chris67bug]

Here's some pics my sister sent me a couple of years ago of a 245 lying in field near her. It seems to have the reflectors mentioned, though as you can see it has/ had square front headlamps. I checked the reg out and it was registered in jan 1979, so must be an early 79 model.

[chris67bug]

Just realised there are only 12 of these 245 GLE's registered in UK, maybe I should get my spade and go digging lol

[magicbusdriver]

I have an original Volvo rear 3/4 panel and original rear door that you are welcome to have.
Both in primer with some mild surface rust but nothing serious.
Send me an email if interested simoncordery@btinternet.com

[Dibble]

Friend of mine had a 1977, S Reg, 244GLE and it had the rear reflectors on it.

[AidanC]

Nice find - it looks very tidy.

For what its worth, my '77 R reg 245 round headlight model doesn't have the side reflectors but looks to be identical to yours in every other respect (apart from colour).

I find Brookhouse very helpful when sourcing parts.