I have a '97 850 wagon and it swerves around on the road. Probably looks like I'm drunk when I'm driving. I know the rear struts are bad, but could that cause a swerving problem? I have checked out the front end and everything seems tight. I don't think it is an issue caused by the back end bouncing up and down because it does it on smooth road. Any ideas? Thanks.

 

Does the car have a rear sway bar?

 

I don't think so. There is a bar the goes from one side to the other in front of the rear axle, but it looks like it is mounted solid on one end and mounted in a rubber bushing on the other end. Doesn't look like any sway bar I've ever seen.

 

It might be a sway bar. The 850 ones very very different.

 

It is part of VSSS function; Volvo Self-Steering System.....

I would have the rear shocks done anyway soon. Are they ordinary shocks or are they self-levelers (Nivomat)?

I would also check the basics (tyres for uneven wear/out-of-round) and have all fours aligned by laser-aligner.

The rear axles on sedans have triangular lower control arm and as Tech says Volvo often uses unique system set-up (not sure if wagons have the exact same set-up). I guess it is part of being Swedish


JPN

 

So do you think the problem could be with that bar? I thought sway bars were mainly for cornering and don't really affect driveability. People take them off of vehicles for offroading to get more "flex".

 

They also help somewhat with keeping you straight. I had my rear broken on my Rx-8 and I kept on floating left and right on the highway at times ever so slowly.

I'd check your alignment when was the last time you had one?

 

Don't forget to check tyre pressure, loose/worn/missing hardware (nuts & bolts, bushings, etc...) on suspension components.


JPN