What I did today thread...

[olliecampbell]

Still learning the car and working through bits and pieces...

• Checked all the fuses (the car is new to me),
• Cable tied the radiator fan/cowling in place, No idea why it was removed in the past and not put back properly. New bolts needed!
• Checked the A/C refrigerant levels,

[olliecampbell]

The tracking needed a little tickle...much better now though!

[olliecampbell]

Forgot to add....

Ordered a few bits:
Cambelt,
Cambelt tensioner,
V-belt,
V-belt tensioner & idler,
Oil filter including o-ring x2,
Magnetic sump plug and washers,
Air filter,
Pollen filter,
Rear brake discs,
Rear handbrake shoes and spring kit,
Double dose of oil so I can do a couple of quick successive oil changes.
4 litres of power steering fluid ordered.

Power steering pulley diagnosis underway: https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?p=2929688

It's going to be a busy weekend!

[ilmiont]

Originally Posted by olliecampbell

The tracking needed a little tickle...much better now though!

Are the little figures above the big ones the "before" readings? If so, that front right toe-in was massive and the toe out on the front left was also seriously excessive. It was more of a complete reset than a little tickle! The car will surely drive a lot better now although it would be worth checking for any suspension damage given those readings - either it's been incompetently set in the past or something is badly worn or damaged.

Also check the state of the tyres - especially the outer edge of the front right, and inner edge of the front left; if it's been on that alignment for a while, they'll likely be much lower than the rest of the tyre.

The front camber should ideally be negative for best handling (-0.38 degrees each side is the perfect value). It's adjustable via the strut bolts, if you can find a place that will do it. Rear camber is a little iffy being imbalanced positive/negative like that; not adjustable, maybe bush wear in the rear but probably not an immediate issue if it now drives well. (Rear camber is ideally neutral 0.00 each side.)

Note: I'm assuming you have the standard suspension - not the factory optional lowered sport chassis with Nivomats, which has different alignment parameters.

[olliecampbell]

Originally Posted by ilmiont

Are the little figures above the big ones the "before" readings? If so, that front right toe-in was massive and the toe out on the front left was also seriously excessive. It was more of a complete reset than a little tickle! The car will surely drive a lot better now although it would be worth checking for any suspension damage given those readings - either it's been incompetently set in the past or something is badly worn or damaged.

Also check the state of the tyres - especially the outer edge of the front right, and inner edge of the front left; if it's been on that alignment for a while, they'll likely be much lower than the rest of the tyre.

The front camber should ideally be negative for best handling (-0.38 degrees each side is the perfect value). It's adjustable via the strut bolts, if you can find a place that will do it. Rear camber is a little iffy being imbalanced positive/negative like that; not adjustable, maybe bush wear in the rear but probably not an immediate issue if it now drives well. (Rear camber is ideally neutral 0.00 each side.)

Note: I'm assuming you have the standard suspension - not the factory optional lowered sport chassis with Nivomats, which has different alignment parameters.

I've just picked the car up from a friend, so am working through the issues. One of the tyres (not identified which yet) was replaced recently, so I expect the tracking has been like that for a while.

It's a Sport with the Four-C switchable suspension...is that what Nivomats are?

[ilmiont]

Originally Posted by olliecampbell

I've just picked the car up from a friend, so am working through the issues. One of the tyres (not identified which yet) was replaced recently, so I expect the tracking has been like that for a while.

It's a Sport with the Four-C switchable suspension...is that what Nivomats are?

4C is different again. Nivomats were sold as "Lowered Sport Chassis with Load Compensating Suspension".

For reference, here are the Volvo alignment specs from a technical journal dated 2010.





My interpretation in the absence of other guidance, is that your car being a FWD but with 4C would follow the standard alignment specs (but I'm not claiming that with 100% confidence). 4C was developed for and initially only available on the R, but I don't think the R spec applies because that also has AWD. In any case, you'll notice that all variants are actually pretty similar to each other (more so than I remembered).

[Georgeandkira]

December saw a sharp drop in fuel mileage. I'm gearing up for an O2 sensor change.
This happened with my 2002 at about the same mileage, 140,000.

Details: My '07 base model V70 delivers 27-29 mpg (US) during months with my usual ratio of highway to local driving.
Usual months cover 700-2,300 miles.
Month's of local driving cover 400-500 miles @ 22-26 mpg with more cold starts per mile driven, etc.

Last month covered 447 miles @ 15.3 mpg, a >20% drop overnight.

A new upstream O2 sensor in the '02 restored the mileage, so that's what I'm doing again.
A Denso sensor from RockAuto is ~$180...cheaper than the last one.

I'll do a 'half-tank' mpg check before ordering the sensor.

Cheers
ps Our Shiba Inu is 2 tomorrow.

[olliecampbell]

Well it seems 2024 is, so far, a lucky year for me!

A big job list to do on a new car…today was power steering pump replacement, cam and aux belts with the associated pulleys/tensioners.

The aftermarket squeaking pump came off easily enough but only after I dropped its glittery contents….i think this is meant to be green!

IMG_5305.jpg

I ordered 4 litres of CHF11 so will flush out all out.

I then cracked on, removed the aux belt and found this…
IMG_5307.jpg

I think Stevie Wonder installed the last tensioner. Missed the alignment peg and also didn’t tension the belt.

Onwards!
Well it seems I was quite lucky that I checked the timing belt…
IMG_5319.jpg

I got as far as I could, I’m waiting for my 300NM torque wrench to turn up tomorrow. So I decided to replace the rear handbrake pads and discs…it looks like this was my third lucky strike (fourth of you include the other side falling apart as well!)

IMG_5334.jpg


Refitting the pads and an oil service tomorrow. I wonder what that holds!

[Dancake]

Annual service and replaced the screenwash reservoir neck seal.

[ASt85]

V70's MOT end of last week - a pass with no advisories - Happy New Year!