240 General: New (to me) 1980 Volvo 244

[Othen]

Originally Posted by Othen

Spooky - I just mentioned this the other day and it has come back to bite me!

Although it was generally against my principles (of paying for something unnecessary) I decided to take advantage of F1 Auto’s current offer on cheap MoT tests. I took the RB in for the test today and it failed on… you guessed it, the OSF wheel bearing. I remember Dave telling me to do both at the time I changed the NSF one (but it seemed okay at the time etc). I’ve ordered a new bearing (it was only £15) and it will only take me an hour to fit it, so I’ll get the RB in for its re-test on that item early next week.

Actually I don’t mind too much (although I should have noticed the wheel bearing when I checked the RB the other day) The rest of my 42 year old motor car is in rude health, so I’m pleased with the way it has turned out.

:-)

The replacement wheel bearing kit showed up yesterday, a QH part for only £15 delivered, a bargain I thought. It was a nice day so I fitted it this morn, exactly the same as the NSF one I reported on in this thread some time ago. It probably only took 45 minutes of my time this morn, largely due to my bearing press (without it I'd still be outside skinning my knuckles and swearing a lot).

The MoT tester said the brakes were a bit imbalanced at the back. That turned out to be a sleepy piston (outboard one on the driver's side). All it needed was pumping out with the opposing one clamped, and then winding back in with a large G clamp... repeated 10 times. The pads look quite new, which is nice. I think that had only happened because the motor car doesn't get used much. The rear brakes (in particular) will wear very slowly indeed so the piston must have got used to being in the same place for a bit too long.

I've just taken the RB for a test drive and all is well - it really is a nice motor car to drive. All should be well for the re-test on Friday.

:-)

[Othen]

Originally Posted by Othen

The replacement wheel bearing kit showed up yesterday, a QH part for only £15 delivered, a bargain I thought. It was a nice day so I fitted it this morn, exactly the same as the NSF one I reported on in this thread some time ago. It probably only took 45 minutes of my time this morn, largely due to my bearing press (without it I'd still be outside skinning my knuckles and swearing a lot).

The MoT tester said the brakes were a bit imbalanced at the back. That turned out to be a sleepy piston (outboard one on the driver's side). All it needed was pumping out with the opposing one clamped, and then winding back in with a large G clamp... repeated 10 times. The pads look quite new, which is nice. I think that had only happened because the motor car doesn't get used much. The rear brakes (in particular) will wear very slowly indeed so the piston must have got used to being in the same place for a bit too long.

I've just taken the RB for a test drive and all is well - it really is a nice motor car to drive. All should be well for the re-test on Friday.

:-)

I’m pleased to report that the RB has a shiny new MoT with no advisories. The new wheel bearing and working the brake pistons around a bit did the trick. I don’t think it is worth having an historic vehicle MoT tested every year, that would be a waste of time and money, but this has been a slightly useful exercise.

:-)

Alan

[Steve 940]

Originally Posted by Othen

I’m pleased to report that the RB has a shiny new MoT with no advisories. The new wheel bearing and working the brake pistons around a bit did the trick. I don’t think it is worth having an historic vehicle MoT tested every year, that would be a waste of time and money, but this has been a slightly useful exercise.

:-)

Alan

Hi Alan,

Many congratulations on your new MOT, no advisories are most welcome, and obviously reflects the work you've put in. Most satisfying, and a cold beverage of your choice would be well deserved.

Had you had any interest in the RB, as I was just looking on eBay and couldn't see it listed anymore?

Enjoy for another year👍

Cheers
Steve

[Othen]

Originally Posted by Steve 940

Hi Alan,

Many congratulations on your new MOT, no advisories are most welcome, and obviously reflects the work you've put in. Most satisfying, and a cold beverage of your choice would be well deserved.

Had you had any interest in the RB, as I was just looking on eBay and couldn't see it listed anymore?

Enjoy for another year👍

Cheers
Steve

Thank you Steve, that was very kind.

I’m really pleased with the RB, a 42 year old passing the MoT with just a £15 wheel bearing is remarkable.

I advertised the RB for a month and had lots of watchers (over 100) and some enquiries by email, but no one came to see the motor car. I suppose it doesn’t really matter whether I sell the RB or not in that I have the room to keep it and it costs almost nothing to run. I’ve noticed a softening of the market of the market, that will probably get worse when the housing market downturn ripples outside London.

My main reason for considering selling was that I hardly use the motor car because of GAM (the 1963 Amazon), i think lack of use was the reason for the sleepy brake piston at the rear. It still concerns me that I’m not using the RB enough to keep it healthy, so I may consider selling it again towards the end of the summer. I’ll almost certainly have to accept a lower price by then as the market softens a bit more.

:-)

Alan

[Laird Scooby]

Congratulations on the MoT on the RB Alan!

Given that you do actually like the RB and don't have any problems with and it doesn't eat anything, why not keep it and use it turn and turn about with GAM so they both get their exercise?

[Steve 940]

Originally Posted by Othen

My main reason for considering selling was that I hardly use the motor car because of GAM (the 1963 Amazon), i think lack of use was the reason for the sleepy brake piston at the rear. It still concerns me that I’m not using the RB enough to keep it healthy, so I may consider selling it again towards the end of the summer. I’ll almost certainly have to accept a lower price by then as the market softens a bit more.

:-)

Alan

Yes, I suppose lack of use is a good reason for selling, but as you seem to enjoy driving it when you do, then I'd probably keep it especially as it's tax exempt, so probably minimal insurance with low mileage.

I did see your posts about horrendous insurance for Dan once he passes his test, I think from a few weeks ago, transfer RB over to Dan, car stays in the 'family' can't get much safer than a Volvo, although I dare say the insurance quote would still be a proverbial arm & leg. Just a thought........😀

Cheers
Steve

[Othen]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

Congratulations on the MoT on the RB Alan!

Given that you do actually like the RB and don't have any problems with and it doesn't eat anything, why not keep it and use it turn and turn about with GAM so they both get their exercise?

I was going to try that for a while Dave, and I think it might work during the summer. During the winter things might be a bit more difficult as I do less driving.

I still think it is going to be difficult for me to justify keeping both old birds, as well as the Porsche (which Dan won’t let me get rid of (and I like)) and also a sensible motor car (the Skoda estate - which Bob likes).

The other issue coming up will be Dan, who has suddenly decided that he would like to learn to drive after all. I’ve arranged learner insurance for him on the Skoda, but that would not be practical with the Porsche, the Amazon or the RB (I couldn’t continue to use classic car insurance, so they would no longer be cheap). By the new year I’ll probably have to get him a motor car, so I’ll have to make room for it - hence the RB may still have to move on in the medium term.

So, yours is a good idea in the short time, but it would not be doing the right thing by the RB later on. It would be sad to see the motor car dilapidate, unused by the side of the road.

:-)

[Othen]

Originally Posted by Steve 940

Yes, I suppose lack of use is a good reason for selling, but as you seem to enjoy driving it when you do, then I'd probably keep it especially as it's tax exempt, so probably minimal insurance with low mileage.

I did see your posts about horrendous insurance for Dan once he passes his test, I think from a few weeks ago, transfer RB over to Dan, car stays in the 'family' can't get much safer than a Volvo, although I dare say the insurance quote would still be a proverbial arm & leg. Just a thought........😀

Cheers
Steve

Thank you Steve, good idea but it has a couple of fatal flaws: the RB is an auto, there is no point whatsoever learning to drive in an auto. The second issue is that Dan is 17 (coming 18) and would not be seen in a 42 year old Volvo (even with me driving).

I see Dan’s point of view: the RB is pretty cool for me (but not as cool as GAM), but the untrendiest vehicle in the country for a cool 6th former deputy head boy at school.

:-)

Alan

[Steve 940]

Originally Posted by Othen

Thank you Steve, good idea but it has a couple of fatal flaws: the RB is an auto, there is no point whatsoever learning to drive in an auto. The second issue is that Dan is 17 (coming 18) and would not be seen in a 42 year old Volvo (even with me driving).

I see Dan’s point of view: the RB is pretty cool for me (but not as cool as GAM), but the untrendiest vehicle in the country for a cool 6th former deputy head boy at school.

:-)

Alan

😀😀. Think the second issue you mention is probably more important to Dan than the auto problem, oh they just can't see the beauty of the RB!!

Hopefully he can do learning and test on a manual, and then he can drive both in the future, assuming the licensing regs are still the same as when I learned near 40 years ago.

Oh well, if it needs to move on, then so be it, but hopefully to an owner that undergoes appropriate vetting of course!!😀

Cheers
Steve

[Othen]

Originally Posted by Steve 940

😀😀. Think the second issue you mention is probably more important to Dan than the auto problem, oh they just can't see the beauty of the RB!!

Hopefully he can do learning and test on a manual, and then he can drive both in the future, assuming the licensing regs are still the same as when I learned near 40 years ago.

Oh well, if it needs to move on, then so be it, but hopefully to an owner that undergoes appropriate vetting of course!!😀

Cheers
Steve

Yes indeed Steve! Finding the right owner is far more important than the money. I don't want to give the motor car away though, in my experience if something (anything) is free then it commands no respect - and the RB is far too good for that :-)