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My '01 t5 big $ repair - helppp!

1494 Views 16 Replies 8 Participants Last post by  SML, 
M
my 01' s60 repair project :sly:

Hi everyone!!! Hope this doesn't turn into a super long post, so I will try to be concise and thanks for any help in advance.


So I have a '01 s60 t5 with 75K. So I decided to keep the car, since I were to loose too much money on a trade in and could not figure out if I really want a different car(
), but this is a long story on its own
... So I got new tires, and took it to an independent volvo place to check everything and let me know what needs to be fixed, replaced, or whatever. For the check they charged me $125 + the tires I bought previously ($500).


The car was inspected, and the verdict was 3 large in parts + labor cost. Featured items include: ball joints, control arms( the bushings only, but it is easier they said to replace the whole thing), inner tie rods, timing belt ( apparently it is cracking and wont make it to the 105K suggestion), brakes( pads + rotors), and the mention of a transmission fluid flush (
). So the guy ended the conversation with "your car is in a great condition"
My extended warranty won't cover sh&*, but the carm bushings. I payed $590 out of $930 to replace control arms, ball joints and inspection cost. Total invested so far is 1G.

HELP NEEDED SECTION: So after much reading over the last two weeks, downloading and installing VADIS( had no idea what that was before this) from some shady place
, and searching sites online for parts cheaper than the stealership ... here is what i figured out and hopefully you guys have can make some suggestions before i spend my hard earned money!
To summarize the repair place wants 2G - timing belt( TIMKIT005), inner tie rods(274179), brakes( pad: 8634921, rotor: 272403), atf flush(321). I should also mention that i am pretty handy, but have 00000 experience with car repair/maintenance.

1) anyone know a trusty volvo repair shop in minnesota( the one I went to is glasgow automotive), that wouldn't charge an arm and a leg, and is cool with customer supplied parts?
2) have read that it makes sense to change the water pump, when goofing around with the timing belt. Are there any DYI for this procedure, or special tools I would need, hmmm or am i better off paying someone. Here are the parts that i found:
a) http://www.eeuroparts.com/Main...4338K
b) http://www.fcpgroton.com/produ...d/201
c) http://ipdusa.com/product.asp?...rd=21
3) have also heard that inner and outer tie rods should be replaced at the same time, and if someone said that if there is some grease or something somewhere, the whole rack might need to be replaced. I am a little confused here as to what the rack is and where is the grease supposed to be coming from

4) the atf flush hmmmmm, lots of different opinions on this. So I am very confused as to what to do, or should I even do it. I am aware that IPD sells the fluid and some other necessary tools, but am under the impression that changing it can brake the tranny. ?!?
5) last, but not least what can I do myself, any suggestions for "lifting the car jack" type equipment, or what general tools and where to buy them from... really any tips would help! I am willing to spend to time and effort and pay the money, rather than bend over at the dealership and give them my wallet.
So whateva you can help me with will be much appreciated
thanks, thanks, and thanks


Modified by mispeed at 1:06 PM 3-27-2009
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B
I think question number one is the most important.

The consensus on the timing belt at 105k is that it is necessary to do then but most timing belts that come out at that point still look to have some life in them.

Find someone new - run the car by them - then report back and we can go forward with answering the other questions if the are applicable.
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M
Re: (Bender)

hm you wouldn't happen to know anyone in MN that knows one, repair shop that is
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B
come to philly and ill get you all set up!

otherwise i can't help you too much - that said i know there is a whole thread in the R forum full of guys from out your way - try posting in there, i am sure you would get some help.
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B
check here: http://forums.swedespeed.com/zerothread?id=105535
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Re: my 01' s60 repair project :sly: (mispeed)

Quote, originally posted by mispeed »
brakes( pad: 8634921, rotor: 272403), atf flush(321). I should also mention that i am pretty handy, but have 00000 experience with car repair/maintenance.


5) last, but not least what can I do myself, any suggestions for "lifting the car jack" type equipment, or what general tools and where to buy them from... really any tips would help! I am willing to spend to time and effort and pay the money, rather than bend over at the dealership and give them my wallet.
So whateva you can help me with will be much appreciated
thanks, thanks, and thanks

Go with something like this for lifting equipment (4 stands might be better, just in case):
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_1...mv=rr

With that, a socket set, the right socket for the caliper pins (7mm internal hex???), and some patience, you can do the brakes yourself, and probably an ATF flush and fill. Should save some good money.

I accomplished a successful brake job myself with some printouts of how-to threads here and no previous experience, so it's not too bad of a job (just make sure the retaining springs are seated right on the caliper face when you're done).
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C
As far as parts go I would order from Darryl Waltrip Volvo in TN the number is 18006890021 ask for Don the parts guy they have some really chep prices on stock parts. Also there are alot of guys from Mn in the R forum I agree that they will be able to help you more, maybe even offer a hand with some repairs.... http://********************/smile/emthup.gif
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Re: (crimnlmnded)

You can do the brakes and tranny flush in a weekend. Im no mechanic either http://********************/smile/emthup.gif
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S
If you want to do the work yourself, and have a place to keep your car for a day or two (and to store all the equipment), I'd say invest that money you'd pay the mechanics for labor in some good tools for yourself! That's my plan once I have my own house and my own garage in which to store all of my "toys"


Timing belt is mostly made of rubber. Therefore, it should probably follow the same <6 year lifespan rules as tires do. That said, makes sense that your 8 y.o. car would need a timing belt. I've never done one, but, from what I understand, it's not that bad. Some day, I'm sure I'll do one
Just make sure you have the cams lined up correctly when you're done. And, as far as the water pump goes, not sure if it'd drain a lot of coolant on you if you pull it, but I'd look into that
(While you're in there, you might as well pull the manifold and do the whole PCV system!)

And, yes, flush your ATF! These autos suck. You shouldn't be in too bad of shape at 75k miles, but, from what I hear, you want to start flushing at around 30k!

I don't have much to say about the rest (brakes, tie rods, etc.), but it looks like these have been covered. (And, if not, I'm sure they will be!
)
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Re: (StarmanDXE)

If considering doing work yourself, then please consider:
a) are you going to do the job just once in your life
b) will you do it a few times

I have made the mistake of spending far too much time doing a job which I will do once in my life. Not worth wasting the time. Better off saving your life and paying a mechanic.
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Re: (SML)

let me know if you decide to do all this work yourself because im in the same boat. I just bought the exact same car, except mine has 98k on it. So i need to get all that stuff done to. I am curious to see if i can do it myself or if it is worth spending the money for a shop to do it.
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M
yea, it would sure help if i had the time to do it myself. And since i am quite the nooby
, I need to take my time(go beyond guessing) and do it right the first time. Unfortunately i don't have the time to take my time, if this makes any sense to anyone. Cuz there is work, and school, and fun, and more fun, and blablabla


but anyways, i went to sears yesterday and got a couple things, here:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_1...mv=rr ($199) sale AND
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_1...=jack

so I changed my oil yesterday, but it got dark outside and didn't have time for the oil filter and didn't have the tool to make take it off. To make things worse I noticed there was some oil dripping( not much) from there, so whoever changed it last( I think it was tires plus
) needs to consider a new hobby or something. lol. So yea I still need to get to that in a few days, cuz and not even sure what tool to get. Like the *special* tool in VADIS, or the cap wrench IPD sells, or either, or just take it to volvo, cuz I can't have oil leaking?! I also read that the oil plug should be replaced with a new washer, since the original one S&*@# A*&&^.... and it does indeed, IF YOU DONT HAVE THE RIGHT SIZE SOCKET(17mm) DONT DO IT, CUZ IT WILL STRIP OUT
. It was also a REAL pain to take off, it was so tight on there. So next time I change the oil I sure will buy a new plug from IPD( or if anyone has a better suggestion). Also will need to a couple metric wrenches( any tips here are also welcome), or whatever it takes to tighten things properly
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Re: (SML)

I think I know what you are saying mate
! To be honest I have no problem with paying a fair price, but when they want to charge me 2, 3 times the price for parts and $100 an hour labor, I mean what choice do I have. And so they will change the inner rods, then I will be back for the outer ones a few thousand miles later. No one tells you the whole story it seems like. .... He never even mentioned there was oil leaking from the oil filter, or that my exhaust needs to be welded, because the hinge holding it in the middle isn't anymore...... so yea what I need is an honest mechanic( like the one I had in chicago
), who will work with the parts I buy, and help me even get the right parts, or let me know if it is something I can do myself.....
TOO MUCH TO ASK FOR THOUGH, RIGHT . Heck, I would pay $150 an hour then with no problem..
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Re: (swedeman)

RE:(swedeman)
// let me know if you decide to do all this work yourself because im in the same boat. I just bought the exact same car, except mine has 98k on it. So i need to get all that stuff done to. I am curious to see if i can do it myself or if it is worth spending the money for a shop to do it. // RE (...)

hm, yea I don't know yet what to do. Still thinking about it. Wish there was a clear post on how to do most DIY things, so I don't have to jump from post to post
! But there is something great about getting it done yourself, if you know what you are doing of course
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Re: (mispeed)

Quote, originally posted by mispeed »
IF YOU DONT HAVE THE RIGHT SIZE SOCKET(17mm) DONT DO IT, CUZ IT WILL STRIP OUT
. It was also a REAL pain to take off, it was so tight on there. So next time I change the oil I sure will buy a new plug from IPD( or if anyone has a better suggestion). Also will need to a couple metric wrenches( any tips here are also welcome),
Seriously? Your 263 piece set didn't come with metric sized sockets?


Quote »
or whatever it takes to tighten things properly
It's called a torque wrench


Quote, originally posted by mispeed »
hm, yea I don't know yet what to do. Still thinking about it. Wish there was a clear post on how to do most DIY things, so I don't have to jump from post to post
! But there is something great about getting it done yourself, if you know what you are doing of course
I always thought it would be kind of cool to start putting that kind of crap on Wikipedia (if they would allow it!
)
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Re: (StarmanDXE)

Quote, originally posted by StarmanDXE »

Seriously? Your 263 piece set didn't come with metric sized sockets?


haha
, torque wrench eh! told ya all I am NEW to this lol. So yea I have the metric sockets. Being born in a different country doesn't help too.. hm excuses excuses, i am embarrassed


Quote, originally posted by StarmanDXE »

I always thought it would be kind of cool to start putting that kind of crap on Wikipedia (if they would allow it!
)

http://********************/smile/emthup.gif http://********************/smile/emthup.gif http://********************/smile/emthup.gif
OR SOMETHING LIKE IT, CUZ I NEED THAT CONFIDENCE http://********************/smile/emthup.gif
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Re: my 01' s60 repair project :sly: (mispeed)

Quote, originally posted by mispeed »
To summarize the repair place wants 2G - timing belt( TIMKIT005), inner tie rods(274179), brakes( pad: 8634921, rotor: 272403), atf flush(321).

As a newbie DIY mechanic myself, here are my thoughts on the specific tasks but also think about my other comment in this thread about thinking about the cost of your time.

For example, if you really have time to burn, then you can probably do hard tasks quite easily. For example, you could do the timing belt change but your car could be off the road for a week, you might spend 30 hrs of internet research, you may have to buy a bunch of new tools, but you probably will get it done. But is the effort worth it?

And be prepared for VERY SLOW progress with your actual work. For example, my first oil change took 2 hours! Second time - 10 mins! Just understanding the mechanics takes a lot of time. Plus the time fumbling around learning how to use a torque wrench, picking the right socket - rather than trying 5 different sizes before you get it right. All wastes time.

a) timing belt - NO - use mechanic - would be far too much time for me to learn for a job done once every 60,000 miles or whenever! And potentially too risky also!

b) inner tie rods - not sure - would have to start googling just to work out if it is a hard or easy job.

c) brakes & rotor - YES - but probably 5 to 10 hrs of internet research and a full day job (whereas a mechanic might take a few hours or less).

d) atf flush - YES - about 5 to 10 hrs of internet research and a few hours work the first ever time.
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