Hi all --

I'm writing this on behalf of my mom who drives a '94 850 wagon (auto trans). She's had the car for three years and has put about 70k miles on it -- almost entirely highway miles (she commutes about 150 miles a day, three days a week). The car has complete service records up to 80k miles, work was done by dealership. Title checked out clean on Carfax.

I've been driving an '86 240DL that has needed a lot of work -- and I've learned to ask for advice here FIRST, before agreeing to major repairs. I've saved a lot of money and learned a lot about my old brick by posting questions in the RWD forum, so I'm turning to you all here in the FWD/AWD group for advice...

Mom asked me if I could help her out by listing what maintenance should be done at this point. She says there's a slight 'shimmying' in the front end when she's driving at over 75mph, but otherwise nothing is wrong. I have my list of ideas, but I'm hoping that some of you 850/V70 owners might look take a look at my list and contribute your own ideas on what to have check/repaired/replaced. Here's my list of maintenance items:

- Replace timing belt (there's no record of it having been replaced)

- Check tires, replace if necessary (tires have 60k on them -- may be cause of shimmy?)

- Replace struts/shocks (no record of having been replaced)

- Basic tune-up (spark plugs, ignition wires, cap/rotor, etc).

- Replace fuel filter

- Check steering components, tie rods, power steering fluid.

- Check ATF for signs of transmission wear.

- Check suspension components for wear -- bushings?

- Replace air filter

- Check hoses for leaks, bad seals

- Check exhaust system for corrosion, etc.

For tires, I was thinking Sumitomo SRIXON 4 or similar.

For shocks I was thinking Boge (maybe KYB?).

So, any suggestions or additions to this list? I would be grateful for any advice, additional info, 850-specific service tips, etc. Mom loves her car and I'm very happy that she's driving a Volvo... the car feels very controllable and sturdy, it's nice and comfy, and we know it's safe.

Thanks!

Well, since she's had the car for 70K miles, and the timing belt should

have been replaced (again!) at 140K miles, that engine is living on

borrowed time (and if the loan comes due, it'll be expensive).

There should be a small light (white or silver?) sticker on the timing

belt cover if it's ever been replaced.

Many owners are barely (or dis-)satisfied with the ride quality; as such

the Bilsteins are the only dampers that make sense if performance/safety

also matters.

As with the dampers, if the ignition wires aren't broke, you can't fix

them.

> For tires, I was thinking Sumitomo SRIXON 4 or similar.

You could probably do worse. I guess. Never heard of them, in this forum

or elsewhere. Oh, I see Sumitomo makes a $99 Z-rated 205/50-16 (their "HTR

Z II"). That's one I hadn't heard of before...

- Dave; '95 854T, 111K mi

Thanks for the comments. I checked out your site -- good stuff! The 850/V70 survey indicates that the upper engine mounts may be a chronic problem. I'll be sure to look into that.

About the tires -- I was told about the Sumitomo's in the RWD forum. Seems quite a few 240 and 740 owners have tried them, and they seem to be considered a good low-cost, HR-rated tire. There's another Sumitomo tire that was also well-reviewed, but I've forgotten the model number. Might have HTR-4 or something like that...

You all are incredible! Thanks for the info, it's a big help.

Ron, From what I can see your list looks just fine....but for a few things.

The T-belt shoud be replaced every 60K or 70K....so your mos car should be on its third by now. If its not I would get it done ASAP or sooner.....you should also have the accessories belt changed....and the water pump(easy job when the T-belt is getting done) while your at it.

You may also want to check the battery.....check the lead to ground for tightness, and check the fluid level.

It also sounds like the tires need to get replaced.....I go with Michelin only....but thats just me. just be sure to have a min of H-rated rbber put on, and have them ballanced at a quality tire sop.....also when the new tires are put on its a good idea to have the car aligned(four wheel).

good luck

Oh, almost forgot: Don't replace the shocks unless they are shot. Replacing them now for no reason whatsoever is a waste of money. I don't know what the driving conditions are where you live but shocks generally last a very long time unless see they a lot of abuse.

Here are a few things I think you might have missed and maybe a few pointers based on my ownership experience with my '95 850 turbo.

1) The "shimmying" at high speed could indicate an out of balance wheel/tire. If you aren't replacing the tires just yet, get them re-balanced and hopefully that will get rid of the high speed shimmying.

2) Another thing that might contribute to the shimmying would be the alignment. Regardless, if the car's suspension has not been re-aligned in a while, you might as well as go ahead and do that as well.

3) You mentioned checking the bushings--pay particular attention to the front upper strut mounts. These are visible from the engine compartment and often a close visual inspection will tell you if they need replacing or not. Another common bushing failure is the upper engine mount and again, this is an easy visual inspection.

4) ATF--if the stuff smells burnt and is brown in colour, flush out the transmission and have it replaced.

5) Thermostat is another common failure on 850s. If you notice that the temperature gauge takes eons to stabilize at the 3 o'clock position then there's a good chance that it needs replacing. Normally, the T-stat should stabilize at that position after about 4 to 5 minutes of light driving.

Hope that helped. Good luck.