My family has a 95 850 base model wagon - 98,000 and going strong. We want to keep the car on the road for a lot longer as the body is in preety good shape ( no rust; a few dings) and the engine still drives like new. Ther are some nagging problems we could use some help with:

1) The damn interior panel on the rear lift gate keeps popping its fittings. We have reinstalled it twice, and within a few weeks/months the thing is loose again. Is there a permanent fix to this?

2) The rubber gaskets at both the rear hatch and the rear passenger door have come unglued. What is the best way to repair, i.e. is there a particular adhesive to use, do I need to prep the area, and if so how?

3)The car could use some more power - are there any cost effective mods, i.e. intake / exhaust upgrades or other upgrades that work and make sense for an engine with this many miles?

4) Any recommendations to improve handling? swaybars, struts, springs? Who makes the best stuff. Where is the best place to buy upgrade products and replacement parts.

5) Where can I get a 3rd seat ( our family has grown)? Are they difficult to install?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

#1 www.ebay.com, kits for this are $20. Search for 'volvo 850 repair kit' two of those today.

#3 Really there is nothing you can do but save up for a turbo model. (that is what I just did, sold my base 850 got an R.)

#4 www.ipdusa.com, I replaced the supension on my old 850 base wagon with the Bilstein shocks/struts and the overload springs. It was way more controled, and a lot more sport feel than stock. At the same time less "comfort" more aggressive, if that is what you are looking for they are deffenity worth the money.

#5 www.ebay.com again, these go for $225-$350. Search for 'Volvo 850 seat' there are 3 of them today.

#1 There is a Rear Hatch Repair Kit (8619383-6), also these clips (quan 4, 9132876-5; quan. 4, 9145885-1) may be useful, as the rear hatch was repaired on my car just prior to me buying it.

#2 I'd only be guessing...

#3 More cost effective power? My opinion, based on owning a '93 GLT for 3 years, is NO!, there are no cost effective mods. Even the expensive ones (exhaust, chip) won't add but a few horses. I added a K&N panel filter and disconnected the hot air intake from the air box, and to be honest, neither made much difference.

#4 swaybars worked great on my '93 (www.IPDUSA.com) I have a strut tower brace on my '96 (www.OMPUSA.com) Bilsteins are popular struts/shocks. For many upgrade suggestions and places to buy, check out www.volvospeed.com

#5 Right from a dealer (expensive) or hunt around for a used one (cheaper)


--
RussB in Ct. - '96 855T- '91 940T - '93 850GLT (R.I.P. 6-16-02)

The only thing I can add to RussB's comments is my experience adding the third seat. There is nothing difficult about adding the seat, but it does take time, 'cause there are dozens upon dozens of little fasteners, clips, etc. in the kit. And if you want to make sure you do it correctly, you've got to spend quite a bit of time (I spent a whole weekend, morning 'till night) carefully putting everything together. You have to cut into the back of your existing rear seat, so make sure you take your time and measure twice (maybe even three times) and cut once. I can try and hunt up my installation manual, if you find a used one and want the instructions. The manual may also come in handy in determining which parts are part of the third seat kit.

I actually have never looked closely at the third seat - does it fold down into the existing well, or is it permanently in the upright position? If it folds down, does it leave a level floor area for carrying loads? I am assuming that the existing covered recess that I keep my jumper cables, etc becomes a shallow footwell, but not certain. Can you describe?

If you have an installation manual, that would be great - I did find a used 3rd seat at a salvage yard, but am not sure if all the hardware is salvageable. Given the price, it would be nice to know if I have to buy some OEM stuff to complete the job. Let me know if you can put your hands on the manual and what you would like for it.

http://www.skipbarber.com

-Punxsutawney Phil