What is the correct Volvo name for the black plastic cover/shroud/gravel shield under the front of the engine? The piece that seems to self destruct every three years or so.

Some call it a gravel pan,Belly pan, lower engine cover.

Thanks, with that info, I found a few online. Aftermarket being as much as a 60% savings (except for shipping), and I suspect that they can't be much crappier!


Though IPD claims that these are the same for all 900's and S and V90's, I could swear that the one on our older 940 was different. At any rate, the pic of this one is definitely the same.

Now, for the mounting screws. It looks like, from the pic of the 12mm head rear mounting bolts, that they use a spacer. Does this mean that the rear of the pan "floats" a little? How important is this? Then also, are the side 10mm head bolts/screws like sheet metal threads, or proper bolts?

The rears don't need a collar on them. Regular bolts are fine. After market bolts will usually have a 13MM head on them.
Yes the 10MM's are sheet metal screws. But if yours was gone before you bought it make sure the holes aren't stripped out. If so just go with a little bigger of a screw.

Also called the skid plate? Mine went bad due to oil change personnel trying to just take the screws out of one side and pull it down. They also left screws out after I replaced it. Made them find and replace them.