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This is the third time I have gone against Brickboard wisdom and wasted time and money on my 240.
- A couple of years ago, brake lights started malfunctioning. I searched the Brickboard and read comments on the Brakelight sensor ($119). Instead, I spent several days and nights of dangerous driving with no rear lights, checking/replacing bulbs, the brake switch ($20 ??), fuses, etc.. I took it to a mechanic for suggestions, but nothing was found. Finally, I replaced the brakelight sensor... and the problem was immediately fixed.
- Brickboard members have posted tons of info on brake pad / rotor brand preferences. I found a set of rear Brembo rotors on sale, which I bought for $18 each. But I figured I would save a little and buy "brand x" front rotors and "brand y" pads. Big mistake. Less than a week later, the front pads/rotor started squealing. I have disassembled the front, and there is even wear. But the cheap pads and rotor are making soooo much noise and create soooo much dust, it is driving me insane. In the very near future, I will change to quality pads, as suggested by the Brickboard.
- I am planning to upgrade my suspension soon, in phases. Dozens of Brickboard posts recomment Bilstein, Boge, KYB and other quailty shocks and struts. A few weeks ago, I saw a sale at the local auto parts store with rear shocks for $18. Ignoring Brickboard wisdom, I replaced the original Volvo shocks (dated 03/90 ??) with brand new Auto Zone "Gas Ryder" rear shocks. These shocks are sooooo rough that my Volvo 240 now rides like a light pickup truck. Although the original shocks were extremely worn, they provided a MUCH smoother ride than this new pair!!! Would just replacing shocks create that bad of a ride? The car does handle better on turns, but I can feel EVERY BUMP in the road. Now I must spend more TIME and money to replace this "sale" set with a quailty set.
I have learned my lesson. Experience is the best teacher --- expecially somebody else's experience! From now on, I will APPLY WHAT I LEAR from the Brickboard, and do my repair jobs correctly the first time. Don't argue with the Brickboard, because the Brickboard is ALWAYS right!!!
[[ southern fried volvo '91 240 131k mi ]]
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