[Stormin'-850R]

I've had my '96 850 R for about a year - here are the few problems I'm having with it. Please chime in with your suggestions for correct and economical repair.

1) When hot (brake rotors warmed up and outside temp is 70 +) - intermittant strong/loud vibration when applying brakes (any speed - can't tell if it's front or rear).

2) When running heater, "clicking" noise coming from driver's side dash area. Seems to be worse when coldest.

3) LCD panel on dash - light went out

4) some buttons (not all) on stereo - no lights?

 

[JHEIII850Turbo]

Well, I can try to attack a couple of those problems... basically because I've had them. Your intermittant strong/loud vibration, might be your motor mounts. That's what it was for me, I replaced my rear, and my front(s). It costed me about $180.00, but it was well worth it.

When I inherited the car, a few lights were out on the dash, I got those replaced. My mechanic removed the dash, and there were bulbs in there that, those were replaced. That costed me about $40.00, again, well worth it!

Good luck, and I hope you're enjoying your car. I know that the vibration(s) really take away from ride quality, but just wait until you fix it.

 

[[email protected]]

You are scoreing or warping the brake rotors. This is VERY typical of the 850, and at one time while cars were still under warranty, I think dealers even replaced them.

We had the same prob with our Project 854R in the features section. We replaced the brakes with better pads (PBR) and slotted rotors for added cooling, all sourced from IPD. The problem has never returned in roughly 5K miles of driving since the install and brake performance is improved. These parts bolt on.

 

[Stormin'-850R]

Joseph -
I need to find a mechanic like yours in my area. I think mine is getting $70+ per hour and it doesn't seem to me that it should take 2 hours to replace a light bulb in the dash ...

George and Joseph -
Regarding the motor mount and rotor theories - I doubt either are the problem because the vibration is very intermittant and doesn't seem to vary in intensity with regard to speed or pressure on the pedal (it's always very loud - like driving onto those center line warning grooves on highways at 60+ mph). It almost seems like it's an electrical signal problem related to the ABS system or something - I don't know. I have been told by a Volvo dealer that this "problem" is inherent to the 850's but they had good success fixing the problem by replacing only the shims. I'm not mechanically versed enough to know what that would/could do. The mechanic who I bought it from did my 120K tune up recently and recommended new pads - maybe I should go ahead and order rotors and pads from IPD like George did and do it myself - what would that cost I wonder ?

[This message has been edited by Stormin'-850R (edited 12-12-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Stormin'-850R (edited 12-12-2001).]

 

[[email protected]]

You can price it out at http://www.ipdusa.com . It's worth the upgrade, but from your second description, you may be right. It might not be the brakes getting warped.

 

[Simon Linton]

Regarding the vibration, have you balanced front and rear wheels? Sometimes it's the simplest things that can cause problems - and if you do balance them, use stick-on weights, or you'll mark your rims.

Bulb failure on the dash is endemic and a real pain, but complete removal is the only solution.

Big clicks behind the dash are the flaps and relays operating, nothing to worry about - it's when they stop you should start worrying!

 

[Prospero]

Some help for your issues...
Regarding the brakes, I know exactly what the problem is. I had the same thing. In a nutshell, the best way of ridding yourself of the problem is to do a complete 4-wheel brake job. Use the OEM Volvo pads, new rotors, silicone goo as perscribed by Volvo, add the new shims for the rear brakes, and drive away happy. You can get the shims for the rear at the dealer for ~$7.50 total. Assuming the rotors are not pissed and the brakes are in decent condition, you may be able to simply re-lube the brakes and add the shims to elliminate the problem. Also, follow the directions as indicated on volvospeed.com (bay 13) regarding the brakes. I did this to my 850 5K miles ago and added the slotted/drilled rotors along with stainless braided brake lines. The results are great! The price was reasonable too.

Lights in the dash...I have been doing a slow retrofit using blue, white, and red LEDs in my dash and switches. The'll never burn out and look great. If you have the time and want to have some fun, this is so worth it.

Noise from the climate control...I had to vacuum leaves and other trash from my system a few times now. Be sure the pollen filter is there, mine wasn't and I'm paying for it!

Prospero

 

[Stormin'-850R]

"I did this to my 850 5K miles ago and added the slotted/drilled rotors along with stainless braided brake lines. The results are great! The price was reasonable too."

About how much did it cost to do the whole brake job?