You only need to drop the front part of the subframe. Put the front up on jackstands and then use your floor jack to support the motor and drop the front of the subframe.

 

That sounds reasonable Tech, but not seeing where I can set the car on the jack stands and still get to the subframe. I am sure I am just not visualizing something correctly, but would appreciate a little more detail if you have time.

 

Put the jack stands right behind where the rear of the subframe is.

 

It is dark now, but that seems like about where the jack points are for changing tires with the regular tire jack. Am I visualizing the location correctly?

Again Thanks for the help, Seemed like a straight forward method to start. Now know why the Volvo dealership booked this repair at about $700.

Still several ahead yet, but daughter wants the car back and you know teens. Can't happen fast enough for her.

Kirk

 

Where the rear of the subframe attaches to the body there is a triangle looking plate with 3 screws total. Put it right behind that.

 

Thanks. Supposed to rain tomorrow, but hope to attack this again Saturday. Can I get the sub frame bolts loose with hand tools. Have to imagine they are torqued on pretty well. Also how large a wrench do they take. Might have to make a run into the hardware store tomorrow.

Kirk

 

They are 18MM and you should be able to get them loose with a breaker bar.
If you have a Harbor Freight near you they are usually less than $20.00 for a long one.

 

OK, all was going pretty well.....

Had the sub-frame dropped far enough to remove the oil cover replaced the first solenoid and was working on the other one when I dropped the tiny screw that holds the solenoid in place. Anybody have access to a parts book to see what size and thread this thing is? I can tell you that it is a 8mm head.

Thanks for everything so far,

Kirk

 

The Volvo books do not tell you the length of the bolts. It juts gives a part number.
Take one of the other ones out and match one to it.

 

The one that holds the other solenoid on is about 1-1/2" long. The one I dropped is about 3/8". Just going to go to the hardware store and get a selection of whatever is metric with a 8mm head and see what fits. I found a metric fastener spec on the web this afternoon and it appears that a hex bolt with an 8mm head will be an M5 so I just have to find one the right length.

Crossing my fingers that it is that simple,

Kirk

 

SUCCESS!!

Got everything buttoned up this afternoon and took the car for a test drive (~10 miles). Transmission is working fine. Upshift light is still flashing, but I think it should go off after some period of time unless other errors are being generated. Job would have been much quicker and easier if I would have planned for it and dropped the subframe from the beginning.

Anyway, thanks for tolerating all my ignorance.

Kirk

 

Glad all is good now!