Hi, all. I have a '98 V70 and I hit a 4x4 (pressure treated, not a SUV) and bent two rims, a shock (Koni) broke a motor mount and a wheel bearing. At least that's what the dealer replaced. After two alignments at the dealer, it still pulled, so they replaced two tires. Each time they said "The pull is gone" (Sounds like BB King, right?) and each time it is still there.

After the tires it got better, but basically, the steering defaults to a home position that is a 2-3 degree left turn.

Now, after the tires have been on and off so many times I have brake vibration as well.

I measured the wheelbase, crudely, with a tape measure, and I think the left side is longer than the right by 1/8". But I am not all that confident that a tape measure is accurate enough, especially since the tape was deflected on both sides by the mudflaps.

1) Should I abandon the dealer? (It's Paul Newman's place in Milford, CT)
2) If so, where then?
3) Should I put it on a frame machine, and can they tell if it's bent?
4) Should I just give up and go get a new S60R?

Thanks in advance... bill@hallhouse.org

WpS

I've had TWO similar incidents which come to think have cost more to fix than the car is even worth now.

Last incident was a large tire fragment from a Class 8 tractor which did about $2500 in damage.

Both times everything was straightened by a Porsche racing shop. My rationale was that if the car was steady and vibration free at 150mph it should be OK on the Turnpike.

I gave up on my Volvo dealer for suspension, alignment and tire work after they mounted my directional tires backwards.

The car tracks perfectly right now.

-Punxsutawney Phil

'98 V70T5M, 135k mi., iPd stabilizer bars, Volvo strut tower brace and skidplate, Bilstein HD struts and shocks, Valentine-1, Mobil-1 always, e-code headlight lenses, Michelin Arctic Alpins



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Phil, we are still howling over that headline! Loved it! Maybe I need to drive to Texas for an alignment that counters the left pull!

Where's that Porsche shop? Within two hours of New Haven?

Get a second opinion or even third. If they disagree with the dealer, then take their diagnosis back to the dealer and force the dealer to fix it at their expense.

Good idea. I have an appointment with a pal who owns a frame machine (www.mattsab.com) and he will check it for free next Sat morning. I asked the volvo dealer to do this and they said "No need". Although they have an in house body shop, maybe there's a cost associated with the test, who knows?

They subtly try to make me feel like I am being silly... "It's not too bad", and "It's your tires" and "It's perfect, what do you mean, a pull?". I am about calling Volvo and dropping the hammer on them.

In the end, I think my next car will be an M3. I'd been considering a V70R, but these V70's and V60's seem awfully flimsy. My 740T Wagon would drive perfectly straight with a flat tire in the front. My ex proved it by destroying a wheel on the Taconic Parkway one day.

Thanks for the input, folks.

WpS