I have posted in the 960 area but thought I'd introduce myself.

I live in Denton, TX, and have inherited a 1995 960 with 86,000 miles. I know these aren't the favorites around here, but I figure we'll get some miles out of it if we can keep it going. Right now, the plan is to get some new sway bar end links and some front struts. The minor things it needs are a new antenna mast (stuck halfway up), a new coolant reservoir level sensor, some trunk lid supports (which give out when you're not expecting them to), and an unstuck passenger seat. The A/C also can't keep up with the Texas heat, but for now, I just don't drive it when it's really hot.

Other than that, it drives great. It has new tires and a new radiator and new hoses.

 

have a shop check the AC system pressure to see if you can gain some extra chill. 960s are rock solid cars and you can find parts online - I'm spoiled since FCP Euro is local but other Volvo friendly web stores include IPD USA (west coast), but even AZ Autohaus, Rock Auto etc will have parts. If you need used parts, try car-part.com to search recycle yards for who has 960s availab.e For dealer web stores, you can try Tasca Parts (also in the northeast) or do a google search by part number to find dealer only parts. IPD sells upgrade parts as well - I put their HD sway bars and end links on my 850T wagon and it was the best upgrade ever. OEM struts are Sachs, but you can upgrade to Bilstein HD (their touring as more like the Sachs). For the rears you need to look if you have standard tubes or the fatter "Nivomats". The trunk struts are easy to find and replace as well.

 

So, the A/C was serviced two years ago and they added a pound of freon. I put a gauge on it, and it reads good. I have read somewhere that on these Volvos you have to not just "top it off," which I've done on my older cars back in the day, feeding it until the thing blows cool and the compressor stops cycling.

My main problem right now is finding the front struts. No one seems to have anything but cheap ones. I cannot find Bilstein, Sachs, Koni, or KYB for this model. Tasca lists the Volvo struts as discontinued. See the 960 subforum for an ongoing discussion where Moyni is also possibly needing struts on their '97 960. My current thought is to buy cheap struts while I can.

Everything else, I've pretty much lined up, and will be discussing on the 960 subforum if someone wants to follow along. I'm going to take another stab at the stuck seat tomorrow as I got hampered trying to remove the carpet bracket that blocks access to the rear mounting bolts a few weeks back.

Everyone seems to be 850 manual and turbo fans. I'm not a huge car person, limited to replacing plugs, wires, distributors, valve cover gaskets, PCV valves, and user-replaceable parts in the past, but I'm thinking to make this work financially I have to start stepping up a little more out of my comfort zone.

 

correct, don't just top off, have the pressure measured to the standard for the temperature for that day (should be a table for the freon pressure by ambient temp). You can overcharge and diminish performance as well as be undercharged. It looks like for struts your choices are Monroes or Proparts. I think Monroe is the OEM for the 4C shocks and they have premium lines...