Hi guys:

I just bought a 96 volvo 850 GLT Wagon! 143,000 miles and going strong. I have a couple of questions:

First: I am having a local mechanic replace the timing belt ($150.00) How long is the service interval? and is this a good price?

Second: The mechanic also recomends replacing the front Lower control arms with ball joint ($350.00) Is the ball joint servicable? Does this sound reasonable?

Third: The backup lights work intermitently. It seems as if there is a sensor in the shifter (Auto) that is not making good contact. Is this something that I can easily take care of? (I am mechanically enclined)

The car is very sound and everything works great down to the heated seats! I am very excited to be a Volvo owner.

Thanks in advance,

Matt

 

Welcome to the exciting world of Volvos!

Timing belt is every 70K if I remember correctly so your right on time. Price seems fine if not cheap.

Lower control arms. You're ball joints are not serviceable 92-94 had a removable ball joint but yours doesn't. If you detect some play you might want to replace them, go with OEM ones, plenty of people have had problems with the scantech ones.

Your back up lights are on the fritz because the PNP switch is failing. This is a fairly common problem. The part is about 100 bucks from FCP Groton. Instructions can be viewed at http://volvospeed.com/Repair/pnpswitch.php.

I'm sure JPN will post his bible about the 850 and Tech will chime in as well.

Again welcome.
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Hello Matt,

Greetings from the Bible Master.

Well, Info2x has covered pretty much all you need to know, so I'll just add to his info.

1) As for the timing belt replacement interval, 70K is the factory spec, I usually do it at every 60K or 5 years. The latter is important, as many rubber parts seem to fail at about 5 years.

$150 seems a bit too low, I assume the local mechanic is replacing the belt only. At every other belt change, I replace the following components as well:

1. Idler pulley
2. Tensioner pulley
3. Hydraulic tensioner
4. Water pump (optional, as Volvo OEM pump seems quite robust)

These items are not mandatory but I do them for peace of mind purpose.

2) As for the control arm, first refer to the following:

http://www.fcpgroton.com/volvo.htm#850

One Volvo arm is $105, so 2 of themfor $210+. I don't know the standard labourrates in CA,but considering the high cost of living, and ifyourtechnicianuses genuine Volvo parts, it may be fair but visually inspect to seeif the rubber boots are torn.Ball joint failure is usually indicated by damaged rubber boots.

3) Info2x covered it all.

Is your local tech familiar with Volvos? In general, I strongly suggest that you go to either Volvo dealer or shops that specialise in Swedish/European cars. These places do charge more, but the extra cost is worth it.

Good luck,


JPN

 

This is all work to be done at a local Volvo only mechanic. The guy seems to be top notch and the labor rates are very cheap for this area.
The local Volvo dealer wants $450.00 for the timing belt and another $650.00 for the control arms! I figure the parts alone on these repairs are about $300.00 so for $200.00 I am happy to pay to have this done with the local mechanic. Labor rates are about $75.00-$95.00 per hour in this area!

Thanks for the info on the PNP. I will check that and let you know. We can get the lights to work by ensuring the shifter is in the correct position, so we can just live with that for the time being!

Thanks again,

 

Last greetings from Chicagoland.

As long as your local tech has been working on Volvo for quite often, he'll do it right. I hope he uses OEM belt (Continental Tech, German) and genuine Volvo control arms.

I wish you the best results on the T-belt & control arms, yes the dealer is definitely [:@][8D].

Regards,


JPN