this tranny often slipped into reverse from park, for years before losing reverse. also reverse was a hard shift. i've heard there used to be a volvo safety recall on the popping into reverse problem. anyone heard of this? also, is it possible i could drop the pan and do some adjustments before condemning the tranny? if the trans is gone i'd like to convert to a manual but don't have the funds yet. any tips on saving/diagnosing my problem? (also lost neutral - goes forward in neutral)

It is not unusual for a 35 year old automatic transmission to bite the dust.
All kinds of wierd problems seem to pop up without warning after 100,000 miles.
I've had them "screech," slip, lock up and just stop altogether.

You can try a fluid change. Could help and won't cost too much, but don't get your hopes up. Not positive, but I don't think there are any adjustments that can be performed through the pan. Band adjustment is accessed through a hole in the trans. tunnel.
I once tried cleaning the valve body per the instructions in the manual, but it didn't help any.

If you can convert it to a manual, you will not be disappointed. It will probably be less money than a professional repair of the automatic, and will completely change the character of the car for the better.
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'60 544, '68 220S, '70 145S, '72 144E, '86 745T

There are 2 bands to adjust. The one is accessed through the transmission tunnel, the other is accessed from below by removing the oil pan.

This has got to be a linkage problem. If it's a BW35, it's not a difficult fix. Usually just a worn washer/bolt.
As far as hard shifting in to reverse, don't feel lonely. Just make sure the tranny is flushed every 50K miles or 5 years.

Klaus
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(1975 164, 1995 854T, 1998 V70R)

I don't do auto trannies but it sounds like a linkage adjustment to me.
Others can probably tell you whether inside or outside the tranny.
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George Downs Bartlesville, Heart of the USA!