Just bought a 1996 850 with 145,000 miles. Front tires good. The rear tires are worn bald at their inner edges, good otherwise. Any tips?

 

I should add this to my thread. The rear shocks (springs) have have cylinders of red rubber inside them to prevent bottoming out. These rubber things are pretty well disintegrated. It drives fine, however.

 

Sounds like PO had overloaded the backend; the camber will increase with load typically.

Replace those rubber bump stops and get a 4 wheel alignment. Tires too as needed.

 

Could have been on the front, and the tires were rotated.

Are there actually adjustments to be made in the rear? I need an alignment, and my local shop quoted me a price for a 4 wheel alignment. I haven't been under the car in a while (fortunately), but I don't recall anything back there that would need adjusting. Is there?

 

With you just buying it, hard to say if they wore out on the front and were rotated or something in the rear ate them.
It needs to be checked for ride height to see if any of the springs are sagging before they do the alignment. Might have weak rear springs allowing the rear to sag.
You pretty much have to check front and rear and see if anything abnormal rears it's ugly head.

As for the rear, yes there are adjustments.

http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/tech/ser...Procedures.pdf

Rear Delta Link Bushing Volvo 850 - FWD/AWD 1998 and Prior - Volvospeed Forums

https://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-...ignment-38796/

 

Regarding height, we measured vehicle height at 1450mm, whereas our manual says height should be 1440. So the springs do not appear to have collapsed. Note, nowever, that we get the 1440 from a British Haynes manual whereas our wagon is American. Anyone know how tall the American version should be?

Can you replace those rubber bump stops (in the rear springs only) without replacing the springs?

 

If you're talking about the bump stop inside the spring, yes you need to remove the spring.

It's not dangerous or difficult. Just jack up and install a jack stand on the frame so the tire is off the ground. I did my springs with the tires on. Gently pry the spring out and it will fall (not shoot) out from the lower seat.
The bump stop is held in place by the spring so it will come out attached to the spring.
Installing is the same. Lift it into place and gently pry it back onto the lower seat.

That's my shinny white KYB when it was new