All this talk of transmission flushes, dropping pans and timing belts has me thinking: Am I the only one that's never taken a 960/90 to a "professional" mechanic in 3 years of ownership? Sure there are tires and alignment but other than that, everything seems to work with the basic tools in my took box. I know I'm not alone here and I'm sure if I didn't have the time/space I would be at the mechanic too. I think the 960 is one of the easiest cars to maintain for the shade tree mechanic. We also have a 240 and its even easier by comparison. But somehow this car has a reputation for being a major pain to maintain at home. Who know's why (coughs FAQ paranoia coughs).
So what are the major service things you've done to your 960/90 and lived to tell about it?

All routine maintenance (fluids, filters and plugs)
Replaced all 4 brake rotors and pads and fluid
1 timing belt + ancillaries
Complete E-code headlight swap
CD changer upgrade
Tinted windows
Clean TB + IAC valve
stereo lights
Swap fuel gauge for vac gauge
oil leak at the top of the head
IPD cone bushing kit

My neighbor thinks im obsesses with maintainance and points at his 80s Chevy blazer with 280k miles. Is my 94 a model of reliability or was I just lucky? I've had other American FWD cars in the past that were nowhere near as easy to maintain as the 960. I always gave up to the mechanic when it came time to replace the front axles. Way too many special tools involved.
Next on the list is are new injector seals and cleaning as well as a fresh set of 25/25 IPD sway bars.

I do, I do.

reasons :

I don't trust the quality of work I get at shops. Indy or dealer.

It costs way too much for what you get.

These cars are not that bad to work on. Not at all.

I try to do the job right. I can't say the same for shops. I've have to take things apart and reinstall after a dealer or indy shop worked on our cars.

I used to enjoy working on finely engineered cars (not so much anymore).

The nearest V dealer used to be 200 miles away. Now there's one 11 miles away. They have 2 mechanics that are younger than my favorite sneakers and have never heard of RWD. If I ask them a question about our 960 or S90 I get a 'deer in the headlights' look. Enough said..... don't touch my cars.

The only thing I take it in for is an A/C evac. or alignment since I don't have the equip.

DEWFPO

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1998 S90 071,245 and 1995 964 154,100

Hmm,

I do "some" of my own work depending on my ability. Jobs that are critical or involve tools that I down own or are just plain dirty go to a professional. Changing belts hoses and doing minor tune up work or repair work is fine for me. Oil changes go to the quick change place where I bring my own oil and filter and they change the oil under my watchful eye. The "yearly" whole car fluid flush (every fluid in the entire car gets changed including the differential) goes to the independant mechanic where I usually have my "list" of other ailments to elimiate during the same time. This is of course for my Mercedes cars. Im considering putting the new 240 wagon on the yearly whole car fluid flush as well. The reasoning behind my doing some work myself is a cost savings and for convenience of not having to do without a car and schedule time to pickup and dropoff a vehicle.

I haven't owned mine long enough to do more than basic plugs, air filter stuff. When I got it I did take it up to the dealer to go over it front to back and do a state inspection and replace the fluids and fix an oil leak.
My 745T on the other hand I do a lot of the simple repairs and tune ups. The up side is I have a local shop that charges $35 per work hour(not book)to work on the car. The guys that work there (Moon lighting) are Volvo Techs.
To me it is worth it in some cases to get them to fix the car. I usually fix things myself if it takes less than 2 hours to do the repair with simple hand tools.

I do my own work up to a point; I don't have any special tools or equipment -- or anything beyond learn-by-doing skills -- so some projects are a little beyond me. On the other hand, SOME projects end up being good excuses to acquire new tools! I do the work because I enjoy it as a hobby -- and on some cars I've had it hasn't been fun at all. Years back my dad gave me his Jeep Grand Wagoneer; it wasn't particularly difficult to work on, but I kept finding things that made me say "well THIS is a stupid way to have built this..." and it wasn't fun at all. Working on Volvos doesn't give me those thoughts (well, there have been a couple of things) and they're easy enough for me to work on.

Hondas are also enjoyable to work on from the point of view of seeing good design, but they've tended to be very difficult to work on, at least for me.

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855, 765t, new acquisition! 244

Hondas are also enjoyable to work on from the point of view of seeing good design, but they've tended to be very difficult to work on, at least for me.

Honda's engineering is very good. I have been exceptionally impressed with how durable their engines are. Mine is not the easiest to work on but I hardly ever have to work on it! Seriously, in 7yrs (~100K KM) the only major repairs I've had is a fuel pump and master cylinder--and those are hardly major.
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Norm Cook Vancouver BC; 1989 745T 204,000KM

I do all my own work, including alignments. The most ambitious recent jobs were AC evaporator replacement on 1998 V70 and transmission rebuild on 1992 SAAB 9000. Have done body off frame restoration on 1942 Packard Clipper, and presently have a 1921 Packard in pieces, working on the bare frame when I'm not working on one of the three 240s. I don't work on automatics, and don't own any. I do my own work partly because I haven't found anyone who knows the cars I have that well without being too pricey. The factory manuals are great and available, making most repairs possible in a reasonably well equipped shop.

I always gave up to the mechanic when it came time to replace the front axles.

There's a pleasant thought -- no longer having CV joints to pack. Or do you have 'em on the back.
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Art Benstein near Baltimore

I just don't have the time, workspace or tools to do allot of stuff. I'm also averse to large fluid spills in my driveway. Last, I esp. am hesitant to drop the trans pan for fear of not installing the gasket correctly. However, I have worked on electrical stuff in my other Volvos, changed oil and other minor stuff.

Why do we do all of our own work on these cars? I think we can sum it up in the same way that I read on a Harley bumper sticker- " It's a Volvo thing--- if you have to ask, then you wouldn't understand" Maybe someone needs to make some bumper stickers like this.

We do our own work because we love it!
Though we could stop at anytime.
It's addictive, first I was cleaning throttle bodies, then on to changing struts!

By the way, I am installing a VOV in the A/C (see!) where can I get an manifold gauge set cheap? Is it possible to get them on loan from Autozone?

All the best,

Dan

93+97 960s
The little darlings