Quick background: bought used '90 (now with 177K) from relative 6 years ago for a great deal! Average expenses per year (not including gas)is $1050, but problems (some minor I don't need to fix up, but major ones too) seem to be increasing with frequency, causing stress. Difficulty finding a good connection with local mechanics. With further effort recently, found couple of helpful local volvo owners/admirers with mechanical expertise and good advice. Body and engine seems great to them. Pressure from friends and family to get new car, b/c I haven't taken the best care of my car in the past and they think a newer used car would be less stressful on me. Then, as I decide to keep and put the money into it to fix some problems I've been putting off, I hit another obstacle.

New Problem:
It seemed strange that I would need rear brake pads and rotors 9 months after these were replaced (though had been told to watch rear calipers). Problem turns out to be that the part that connects the caliper to the rear axle (holds the caliper in place)is split, cracked clean in two. I don't know what the name of that part is, but it will likely be real expensive (cast iron)($560). Unfortunately the helpful man didn't have the time it takes to fix this problem (10-15 hours!?!!). I guess it takes a while b/c the axle has to be taken apart and more work may be suggested ie. wheel bearings replaced. I am worried that if I find someone willing to fix this problem, more problems will be discovered or taking so much apart on the car will lead to the vehicle "never being the same again". I'm not even sure where to take my car to have this worked on.

Has anyone heard of this problem? What's the part called that split in two? Has anyone had their old car taken apart to this degree and what common problems arise as a result?

I am hoping I can find the cast part in a junkyard or used elsewhere and things go smoothly during the repair, but I guess I have to just take the chance.

I still find myself attached and wanting to take care of my volvo which I am enjoying learning more about. The more that problems occur, the more I want to care for it properly. If I get a different car, it probably won't be a volvo, but a signif. More fuel efficient car. This one repair might be more than the value of my car, according to Kelley Trade-in amount, but I want to remain hopeful that this car will bring me years (3-7) more of service. I hadn't put much faith in it last year, but that's b/c I didn't care for it well.

I have been collecting opinions from lots of non-volvo owners, but am still in search of wise words.
Thanks!

Valerie

-NW Indiana resident
(not far from Chicago or SW Michigan)