When I got home, first I looked at my 1980 wagon, which once survived a nearly identical hit with absolutely no damage. The mount and bolt looked a little different from the new one. So I took another look at the new one.

There's nothing like daylight to let you see how things really are. The shop missed this, but my 1992 had been hit once before, and the repair extended to this exact spot. The repair was a real first class job--everything is clean and straight and painted to match--but still you can see that the box beam at that exact spot isn't original.

Which means, it almost certainly wasn't as strong as the original either (my apologies for doubting you, Volvo). I think even the mounting bolt is one size smaller than on the other car.

The good news is, Hey! this isn't a closed beam--you can reach the center web from the spare tire well. So someone can get a torch in there and repair it.

Nuff said. See ya on down the road.

Doug Harvey