Recently, I bought a 1995 850 Turbo with around 170,000 miles. The car was well kept and serviced regularly by the original owner. All fluids were changed when they were supposed to be changed; the oil in particular every 2500 miles. I've been driving it well for about two weeks now, with no problems of any sort. That being said, I cannot figure out what is going on...

On my way out of the parking lot at work, I noticed a severe shudder when I shifted into reverse and again when I shifted into drive. At first I thought this was nothing, perhaps just age... but when I finally got home, I tried messing around with it to see if it would shudder again. And shudder it did. The car practically lurched as it changed gears. Lately, I've been noticing a little hard downshifting here and there while driving... but this issue with the reverse is just rediculous. The car will back up just fine, but I'm more or less afraid to do it in the first place because that lurch into gear feels completely unnatural. There is definately something amiss here, but I'm in no position to know exactly what...

If anyone can offer any sort of help or advice as to what I'm dealing with here, I'd be very grateful!

 

How's the fluid level and color?

 

How about the driveshaft?

 

Replace ATF...
https://volvoforums.com/m_25657/tm.htm

And while you are at it...
Replace Themostat, Coolant Temp Sensor, and Heater hoses...
https://volvoforums.com/m_16392/tm.htm

 

I took it out for a short drive this morning to see how it handled... shifting is still a little rough into 3rd and 4th gear... and to my amazement, it actually shifted cleanly into reverse on the first try. On subsequent tries, however, there was the same jolt that I felt the other day coming home from work....

Fluid is looks to be an acceptable color. It still has some red in it as well as a high viscocity.

At this point I'm not entirely sure about the driveshaft- like I said, this car has been driving perfectly for the past two weeks... does this have something to do with the AT filter, perhaps?

 

Possible but I doubt it.

Is the Kick down cable seized?

Check the driveshaft center support bearing and housing. That will almost cause the same thing.