Hi all,

Thanks for the replies regarding the side windows for my 444. I brought the car home today, a drive of about 35 miles. The car (a 1957 444) that I just purchased locally runs great. Driving though is quite an experience.

First off there was NO give to the brake pedal whatsoever. I think the brakes are dragging (drums aren't too hot though). I'll dig into the brakes tomorrow.
I have some brake questions though:

* How hard is it to find brake parts for the 444? Are the shoes, cylinders, etc. the same as found in the 544?

Next issue: swaying. The car dances down the road like a hippo on ice. My '61 544 had all kinds of issues in the front end. This 444 feels like all its issues are in the rear (or perhaps that's where I feel it because that's where the drive wheels are???) An interesting phenomenon is that when I step on the accelerator at speed, the nose of the car wnats to head to the right. When I let up on the pedal, the nose torques left. Trans mounts? engine mounts? Does anybody have a diagram of the rear suspension bushings that they could email me?

Next issue: The previous owner did a respray "paint job" and instead of protecting the underdash and lighting wiring he cut wires (WTF???) and sprayed the car in bright yellow paint. Now many of the wires are indistinguishable (and cut!). Can anyone direct me to a wiring diagram?

OK last issue (for now...): What is the function of the 2 switches in the panel at the left side of the dash that also has the "AIR" and "TEMP" levers? Never seen these before???

Thanks for any and all input. It's great to be back in the world of Swedish engineering...

-Aiden Moon
Canby, OR
1957 444
1970 VW Doublecab truck (for sale!)

If your 1957 is like my 1957 (which is probably a 1956) my rear axle is opposite thread on the passenger side for the lug nuts.Turn them to the right to remove. Perhaps mine is very early or very odd. I also do not have the traction assembly on the top of the axle!! Just u-bolts and plates welded on the axle (bottom) Must have had an issue with rotation because they really engineered the top of the pumpkin to stop something from moving.

Christopher Virgilthevolvo V2

Congratulations Aiden and welcome to the growing list of 444 owners. You'll find many subtle differences from the 544. My '53 is considerably different with its original B4B and early brakes that are very different from the 544, mainly in the adjustment mechanisms (2 per wheel) and the self-adjustment levers that extend through the leading shoe. The left temperature control switch is your heater fan switch and the rightmost is for the separate defroster fan, that should be on the inside firewall, ahead of the gearshift.

All brake parts are Lockeed-Wagner and are available from Volvo aftermarket parts resellers (and possibly your local auto parts store). I do have the entire "green" Volvo bible for the 444 and can share these images and procedures as you require them. I also have the parts catalogs for all 444's, including the "A", "B-K" and the final "L" models. Just send your needs separately to my e-mail when you're in need. Glad to help out.
--
Cam a.k.a. CVOLVO.COM

Aiden;

If your new to this Forum (your ID seems new to me) ...Welcome!

I'm no expert on the 444, but I believe you have a Panhard rod in the back... if the bushings on either end are loose, it makes for a loosey-goosey feeling tail (easy fix though!).

If the spray paint used was cheapo paint out of a can, I bet a drop of paint stripper on a rag will go a long way to cleaning it off the wires so you can see the original colors underneath. That should go a long way toward easing electrical restoration.

For wiring diagram, see: http://www.intelab.com/swem/444LS%206V%20Wiring%20Diagram.gif

...interesting about your brakes...either they are perfectly bled (possible, but unlikely), or there is a mechanical problem...I'd certainly recommend checking it out well...also you may want to seriously consider upgrading the brake light switch to an "early-acting" mechanical type, while your working on your brakes and elec sys.

Cheers

Hi Trevor;

Seems that you have acquired some work, but you should not have too big problems finding parts for your -57 444.

I would immediately suspect that something is seriously wrong with your rear axle mounting reading the symptoms. I have a full parts catalogue as a pfd-file, unfortunately it's all in swedish but at least you can have some help from the diagrams. I have also on a CD a complete service manual + parts catalogue for the PV in english. This I got a scandcar in holland, see this address if you want to purchase one: http://www.duett.nl/cd.htm

Breaks will probably do much better after cleaning and greasing of movable parts with some coppergrease. Observe that you need a special tool to get off the rear drums.

I can mail you my pdf-file if you post your email address.

Good luck!

Ola
-58 544 B16B
-88 240 B230K

Thank you again Ola for your good advice. My email is playswithfire@wildmail.com

The pdf file you mentioned would be very helpful!

Thanks also to Cvolvo and Ron Kwas for your help. Your websites have been very handy as well as entertaining.

I'll report my findings when I get to poking around a bit.

Take care,
Aiden
Canby, OR
1957 444
1970 VW Doublecab (for sale!)