89, 240 DL wagon

A few days ago I was at stopped at a traffic light. I heard a loud screching noise, and then a loud bang at the same time I was thrown forward. I immediately started cursing, "G__ D____ it, just what I need a smashed in rear." But to my surprise there was no damage that I could see. The other guys [American] car had a cracked and twisted front grill area. Is it possible to have such an impact without damage? Could there be damage somewhere else? Guess its best to take it to a shop. Just wondering what or where to look in such a situation?

Unless your state has no-fault insurance, you aren't paying for the inspection anyhow.

The offending car can often be annhilated without causing much damage to the car that it hits.

But still, have the car checked out. The bumper shocks often get compressed, and you can actually have problems outside of the things that you can see. The body shop will know what to look for. Especially if it was a good, sharp hit to the bumper, there can be frame misalignment that you won't necessarily notice.

Open all the car doors at the same time and see if they close right after that.

Robert -

Hope you got the other guy's stuff, he should pay for all of it. Check to see if the rear bumper was moved in at all, it may have moved back out. Look from under the rear for changes in dirt on the brackets.

Also have the motor and transmission mounts checked. Consider the inertia of the engine/trans mass. Slamming the body forward when all that mass wants to stay put will damage or break the mounts. Watch the gear shift handle for sideways motion under changing load conditions, like right after an upshift or a downshift. Another check is to feel - engine cold -under the oil filter for space between it and the right motor mount. The car will keep running even if the filter is actually resting on the mount, there should be an inch or so clearance.

Get it checked soon, if the mounts are out of line it can cause damage to drive line parts like U-jounts, center bearing mount, and trans tailshaft seal and bushing.

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)

Now you know why they're called tanks. Depending on how hard the impact was, there may or may not be damage. Check the rear bumper and bumper support metalwork, dampers (may need to be replaced, especially if it's his insurance paying), general straightness of the vehicle, creases in or near the rear floor area, and trim damage.

Then again, those dampers and heavy bumper may have absorbed the impact as intended, again the dampers may according to Volvo directive need to be replaced.

Bram