29 replies to this topic

[Account_Deleted_T5M]

Alright so just to name a few things I took the car to this volvo place i go to (non-dealer) and they looked the car over and these are a few things that need to be done.

Endlinks cracked and broken
Front Right Spring Seat broken
Oil leaks in engine compartment (something about cam seals / I just replaced the oil filler cap)
90k full service
Catalytic Converter rattling (could be cause of my power loss)


So anywho I don't want to pay thousands to replace this.
So what i'm doing is getting a Magnaflow Cat for $60.00 on yabe, and i'll get that welded in.
I need endlinks (how easy are these to install and from who? Slater I presume?)
Spring Seat (no f**king idea what that is) and how easy is that to replace also?
Now with the Oil leaks, what do I need, and how easy is it to replace cam seals?

I appreciate any help as I bought my 2nd volvo in the hope of not spending as much money on it as my last one |
--Rob--

Edit: I AM getting the 90k tune-up done today for $464.00, but i'm hoping to get away with doing everything else myself.

Edited by 96 850GLT, 28 March 2006 - 07:27 PM.

[ViperVettte]

spring seat is what holds the top of the springs. In the front, it is right under where you attach your strut brace. I had to get them replaced on my 97 854. I think it rang somewhere between 3-500$ at a similar place, Volvo(but not volvo) shop. I don't think that one is quite a DIY job though... probably pretty involved.

[the underlørd]

endlinks - 140 from slater
spring seats - 50 bucks from FCP
oil leak - iffy
kitty - 150 bucks tops.

[pfeener]

None of it's too bad. See the attached link for parts and a diagram from fcpgroton.
http://www.fcpgroton.com/volvo850shocks.htm

The end links are very easy and cheap; two bolts on each side - less than 30 minutes and you're done. You can get them from FCPgroton.com for around $15 each.

The spring seats aren't too bad either ($20 each from FCPgroton), but you'll need a spring compressor. They can be had from ebay for less than $30 or you can borrow one from AutoZone for free. Takes a couple of hours to change them out. Two bolts at the bottom of the strut and three bolts on top of the strut and you can take it out of the car and lay it on the bench. Compress the spring and remove the locking nut and replace the spring seat.

The cat; I think you're all set; go with the aftermarket.

The cam seals, I haven't done, but I've heard on this forum that they aren't too difficult. Maybe someone else can chime in on the cam seals.

[Ceenit]

I'd hold up on the 90k tune up and do it your self. Tune ups are little to nothing these days, most delerships just change the plugs, basic fluids, and then check everything. If you are a shadetree mechanic, you can probably handle the 90k tune up yourself.

[the underlørd]

I'd hold up on the 90k tune up and do it your self. Tune ups are little to nothing these days, most delerships just change the plugs, basic fluids, and then check everything. If you are a shadetree mechanic, you can probably handle the 90k tune up yourself.

especially for the price they're trying to charge... they make all this crap out to be rocket science..

it isn't.

[ViperVettte]

kitty - 150 bucks tops.

I GET JOKES!!!!

They can be had from ebay for less than $30 or you can borrow one from AutoZone for free.

You can really just borrow them from AutoZone?

[BeachRat]

Cam seals are little rubber o-rings with a spring inside them (!) that seal your camshafts on the front of the block. If you remove the timing belt cover on the front (passenger side) of the engine, you'll see two small gears at the very top. Those would be your cams, and the seals prevent oil from leaking from inside the valve cover to the front of the block.

It requires removal of the timing belt, which requires removal of the serpentine belt. If you don't know what either of these are, I suggest a friend help you or you pay the $$$ to have it done correctly, the first time.

I've seen it done and I could guide you through, but it's a job you can't afford to mess up. If your cams get borked re-installing your timing belt, your engine goes bye bye.

You can really just borrow them from AutoZone?

I think he's talking about spring compressors, not the spring seats themselves.

[pfeener]

AutoZone has a formal tool loan program. Basicly you pay for full price for the tool and take it home. When you bring it back you get your money back. If you never bring it back, they consider you have bought it.

[WhiteT5]

This is hogwash! That's right, hogwash .

*Clears throat* Okay, never go back to this place again. They are ripping you off so badly, it's not even a little bit funny. Your total cost for all this should run like $300 for parts and none of it is very hard to put in. Even if it's the front cam seals, which are a good bit more difficult, it's still not that bad.

[r850glt]

Take a closer look a the estimate. See what they are doing and how man=y hours they are charging plus cost of their parts. Then do a comparison between FCP parts & local dealer parts costs.



They are probably using all OEm parts & charging full price over Fcp parts. Also their Labor charges may be anywhere from $100 per hour. I agree that you can easily do most of the repairs yourself in half a day. The oil leaks I would look into because they might also be charging for timing belt & serp belt replacement as well as tensioner and possibly water pump. although they rarely go bad most shops like to replace them while doing timing belt.



A haynes manual will help greatly with most of these repairs or check the write-up section on the board.



FYI- I do not work for the dealer or indy shop.



The Board is here to help you



Good Luck.

[ms007]

Come on,, tech's have to eat to !!!!!!

[Account_Deleted_T5M]

especially for the price they're trying to charge... they make all this crap out to be rocket science..

it isn't.

agh WTF my car is in the shop right now... the lady at the front desk told me its a MAJOR job, and that it'll take 5 hours to complete. So no car for me today

[the underlørd]

agh WTF my car is in the shop right now... the lady at the front desk told me its a MAJOR job, and that it'll take 5 hours to complete. So no car for me today

major job for a tuneup?

what exactly are they doing?

[Account_Deleted_T5M]

major job for a tuneup?

what exactly are they doing?

God damn parents!! They called the place and ordered everything except the cam gear seals which they told me I could do myself. (Trust them to pick the hardest job) Anywho.. where everything is
TUNE UP

Inspect exterior lighting
Inspect wiper washers and top off fluid
Clean and Lube antenna
Lube Hinges Doors and Hood
Inspect brake fluid
Parking Brake Check and Adjust
Inspect front and rear pads
Inspect brake hoses and lines
inspect and adjust tire pressures
inspect PS fluid
Replace fuel filter
Replace Spark Plugs
Inspect Coolant Level and Quality
Battery Check Level and Mounting and Connections
Lube Drive Belt Tensioner
Lube, oil and filter
Inspect Engine for leaks
Inspect Front End and Steering
Inspect Rear Suspension
Inspect Transmission for leaks
Drive Shaft Joints check and Boots
Replace Flame Trap
Found Front Tires Worn To Tread Wear Indicators
Mount and Balance 2 front tires
Test Charging system and Battery and Car for Voltage Draws
Replace Defective Battery and Clean and Coat Terminals
Note: Found Multiple Oil Leaks.


Cost = $2176.73
+ $616.00
-------------------
$2792.73


F-U-C-K

[the underlørd]

this is the most severe wallet pwnag3 i've witnessed.

moment of silence please.



















ouch.

[ToxicLemonade]

wow that is obsurd.

[PyROZen]

it sucks man.. finally broke down and got my RMS fixed, along with one turbo oil line. Total cost was around $1600... money i would rather NOT spend on my car.

[the underlørd]

it sucks man.. finally broke down and got my RMS fixed, along with one turbo oil line. Total cost was around $1600... money i would rather NOT spend on my car.

you got MODBLOCKED. !

[Account_Deleted_T5M]

you got MODBLOCKED. !

Heh.. for both of us... I'm just pissed because even though my parents are paying for most of the repair.. I would have loved to DIY you know what I mean? I love learning about my car, and i'm glad its an NA so that it's a little easier to learn still I wish my parents would have bought my second car as an R, I bought the car for 5,250 with 84,000 miles, and I could have gotten a T5 for a little more than that. bleh
The woes of life

it sucks man.. finally broke down and got my RMS fixed, along with one turbo oil line. Total cost was around $1600... money i would rather NOT spend on my car.

Yea i know how you feel man... I put 7000 dollars into my last car (a 93 850glt) I paid 4,500 for it, and I wasted alot of money on it, I was hoping that it would be better this time since it was newer, but obviously not. BTW kudos for having the same grille as me )
--Rob--