Hello All,

A few days ago, my ’96 850 GLT wagon (manual transmission) rolled down my driveway with the rear passenger side door open. I don’t know if I left it out of gear or it popped out (I didn’t have the emergency brake on). Luckily the car did not roll out into the street, but the open passenger door caught on the stone wall that runs along my driveway and pulled it back bending it severely (that’s what prevented the car from rolling out into the street). This door no longer shuts properly. My auto body guy looked at it, and said it can’t be fixed and instead I need a donor door. He is making inquiries, but is worried he might not find a door due to the age of my Volvo (20 years). Two questions:

1) What year 850 wagons would fit my car in terms of rear passenger doors? I think from 1994 to 1997?

2) Can anyone recommend a salvage yard in CT that has a good collection of 850 wagons on hand? I live in Fairfield, but obviously I am will to drive to get a replacement door.

Thanks in advance to all who respond. I appreciate your advice and help.

Hugh

There is a Volvo specialist in Coventry CT on Route 44 east of the center.

They have a couple of dozen cars in their yard.

They may part out cars.

Hello All,

I purchased a used door today from East Coast Auto Salvage, Inc. in Higganum, CT today for $108.85. I was pleased with the price and it was in the exact same color (and year) as my 850. The salvage yard representative provided me with the VIN # and I called my local Volvo Dealer and confirmed it was the same color silver - Code 419.

I’m not an expert on used doors, but Erie V0-V0 quoted me (for a silver door) a price of $375 plus $75 for shipping. Several local salvages yards quoted me prices (also for silver doors) between $125 to $150 so I am pleased.

My donor door came off a 1996 850 sedan that was “parked” in this salvage yard in 2014. The doors remained on the car, and my door was taken off just before I arrived. I was pleased because if the door had been sitting on the ground for 2 years, it would probably have started rusting. I found out from my Volvo Dealership that the rear passenger door on a sedan is identical to a wagon.

The paint on the door looks good and hopefully it won’t have to be painted to “blend in” with my car.
My car is scheduled to go into the repair shop on Monday. With any luck, I’ll have it back by Wednesday. It will be nice to drive without the worry of the rear door suddenly popping open or to hear the rush of air through the gap around the door.

Thank you to all who responded and shared your advice. I am very thankful I was able to find a door. One salvage yard clerk told me that for some reason the rear door on the passenger side always seems to get smashed on these cars. Go figure? I have 305,000 miles on my 850, I hope to make it to 400,000.

Hugh

How did you find out that that place had one?
Just by luck?

Find a door with the matching color so you won't need a repaint. Call Erie Vovo if you cannot find a 94-97 door.

Remember, it is easy to remove. Just loosen the E-torx pins, and lift the door off. After you have removed the T40 screw for the door stop and disconnected the electric bundle.

Inspect the B pillar, you may have twisted it!
--
Keeping it running is better than buying new

Klaus,

Do you or anyone else know what the going price is for a used 850 passenger door for a ’96 model?

Thanks to all who reply.

Hugh

Our P&P charges $44+tax for a complete door. Get a color matched door! Some hairline scratches can be buffed out. Parts to keep from your door: panel, if the same interior color, speaker, door stop, window motor, window channels, depends on storage of course.

Shipping a complete door from ErieVovo will be close to $100. The door is heavy.

--
Keeping it running is better than buying new

Klaus,

Thank you for”educating” me about the cost door and what to transfer from my old door. I’ll be spend time today calling around. I let every one know how much search goes.

It is no fun driving around with a door that can suddenly pop open and lets in the sound of “whooshing air”.

Hugh

Klaus,

Thank you. I’ll give Erie a call. You are right about the “B” column. I did “eye ball” it and it appeared the door hinges hand not been twisted. It is my hope that all the bending was absorbed by the outgoing door.

The car is silver in color. I thought it wouldn’t make much of difference what color door I got, because it would have to be repainted, assuming the original paint on the donor door has faded. Of course the paint on my car after 20 years has faded too, so a freshly painted silver door would still “stick out”.

Hugh

Ouch. Had this happen to my Nissan truck a long time ago. I don't know what your budget is, but on ebay there's a complete 95 850 wagon with manual trans in Gaithersburg MD for $1,000.

Your body man is looking but you could try salvage yards online. I needed a hard-to-find part for my 850 and had it shipped to me from a yard eight hours away.

Erin,

Thank you for your reply. You are right, I might spend more on this repair than the car is worth. But even with over 300,000 I have maintained this car and it presents well. Everything works on it. Although I am now aware of another 850 manual in MD, the idea of trying to find a replacement 850 GLT with a manual is daunting. Manual 850 GLT are rare. Most manuals were the base models, i.e. no moonroof, no leather, no dual climate control, etc.

I am hoping my auto body guy can find a door from one of his vendors and spare me the headache of going on line to try to find one.

I have to get it fixed, because the door sometimes pops open spontaneously, plush I hear the constant “swoosh” of air coming from this door as I drive down the road.

Again, I just thankful the car did not role into the street and cause an accident. I just hope getting a replacement door does not prove to be a headache.

Hugh

P.S. Do you recall the name of the company you found on line provided you with a replacement door?

You should try Chuck & Eddies in Southington.
It's a long shot since the car is 20 years old, but you never know.
It's one of a few pick-n-pulls in CT. The yard can be kind of "scrappy", but maybe you'll get lucky. You can always call them too. I've found them very helpful for used parts.

For instance, that's where I got the 125,000 mile automatic transmission for the '01 S40. $250 delivered w/ a 6 month guarantee and $50 core charge. They said it was tested. I've added another 10,000 miles in the past year to it with no issues.

I wouldn't hesitate to go to Chuck & Eddies.

Al,

Thank you. I’ll give Chuck & Eddie’s a call. Any idea what a used door goes for?

Hugh

Sorry, can't help with the price of a used door.

But I'll give you a passenger door from a '72 145 that I have up in the loft.
Modifications are on you though!