My Volvo 850 T-5R project
Discussion
NOVEMBER 2008
The car has been in for a major service, the work carried out included:
- New lower control arms.
- New front wheel bearings.
- New track rod ends.
- New fuel filter.
- New crank shaft positioning sensor oil seal.
- Tracking and lazer alignment.
- Uprated IPD drop links.
- Oil and filter change (Mobil 1 0w - 40 fully synthetic).
- 2 x Yokohama Parada Spec 2 tyres - I now have a set of 4 on the car.
I also found some S70 door handles on ebay and had them painted in my cars colour!
This shows the difference between a genuine Volvo drop link and the uprated IPD version.
Yokohama Parada Spec 2 road legal!
S70 door handles now colour coded.
Fitted to the car.
The car is now superb to drive. Since owning the car I have replaced almost every suspension and braking component as well as a whole list of other things...
In my opinion the parada spec 2 tyres are leagues better than any other tyre I have used in the dry. In comparison to the last set of tyres I had (Goodyear Eagle F1's) they grip much better than the F1's in the dry, but the F1's are better in the wet.
The S70 door handles were no bother to fit, and in my opinion look much better!
The car has been in for a major service, the work carried out included:
- New lower control arms.
- New front wheel bearings.
- New track rod ends.
- New fuel filter.
- New crank shaft positioning sensor oil seal.
- Tracking and lazer alignment.
- Uprated IPD drop links.
- Oil and filter change (Mobil 1 0w - 40 fully synthetic).
- 2 x Yokohama Parada Spec 2 tyres - I now have a set of 4 on the car.
I also found some S70 door handles on ebay and had them painted in my cars colour!
This shows the difference between a genuine Volvo drop link and the uprated IPD version.
Yokohama Parada Spec 2 road legal!
S70 door handles now colour coded.
Fitted to the car.
The car is now superb to drive. Since owning the car I have replaced almost every suspension and braking component as well as a whole list of other things...
In my opinion the parada spec 2 tyres are leagues better than any other tyre I have used in the dry. In comparison to the last set of tyres I had (Goodyear Eagle F1's) they grip much better than the F1's in the dry, but the F1's are better in the wet.
The S70 door handles were no bother to fit, and in my opinion look much better!
JANUARY 2009
Since owning the car I have replaced the brakes : 302mm discs, police pads and braided hoses.
Suspension: Gaz coilover kit.
Every bush on the front of the car for steering including new control arms, track rods, track rod ends, drop links, top suspension mounts and front wheel bearings.
The car now is perfect at the front. The brakes, suspension & bushes make the car as nice to drive as a new car.
Now its time to do the back:
2 x rear inner bushes.
2 x rear outer bushes.
2 x Gen Volvo rear upper bushes (in boot - not in picture).
and separateley:
The last 2 poly bushes for the engine (powerflex).
The inner c.v. boot for the passenger side (I did the outer one in Nov).
And 1 x steering rack gaitor.
My package from parts for Volvo's arrived yesterday:
Looking forward to having the back of the car perfect aswell! The only bushes left to replace will be the anti-roll bar at the front and rear, but I havent decided if I am buying the IPD kit yet.
Kerry
Since owning the car I have replaced the brakes : 302mm discs, police pads and braided hoses.
Suspension: Gaz coilover kit.
Every bush on the front of the car for steering including new control arms, track rods, track rod ends, drop links, top suspension mounts and front wheel bearings.
The car now is perfect at the front. The brakes, suspension & bushes make the car as nice to drive as a new car.
Now its time to do the back:
2 x rear inner bushes.
2 x rear outer bushes.
2 x Gen Volvo rear upper bushes (in boot - not in picture).
and separateley:
The last 2 poly bushes for the engine (powerflex).
The inner c.v. boot for the passenger side (I did the outer one in Nov).
And 1 x steering rack gaitor.
My package from parts for Volvo's arrived yesterday:
Looking forward to having the back of the car perfect aswell! The only bushes left to replace will be the anti-roll bar at the front and rear, but I havent decided if I am buying the IPD kit yet.
Kerry
Edited by kerryt5r on Wednesday 25th August 13:38
y2blade said:
Kerry when I bought my White 850T5 estate the seller had just bought the full BTCC decal kit but had not got round to getting it fitted....they were just placed in the boot for me
it would have look bloody stupid imho...I told him he could keep them...he was shocked that I didn't want them
You are right, they looked good in the 1994/95/96 BTCC but not so good while stuck in a traffic jam down the road from my house it would have look bloody stupid imho...I told him he could keep them...he was shocked that I didn't want them
I do think it would look good on a track car however
FEBRUARY 2009
I picked my car up from Caffyns Volvo on Friday after having the rear trailing arm inner and outer bushes replaced, they also noticed that the near side control arm bearing had broken - that would explain the slight rub on full lock. I had only just replaced the control arm in August but it was a pattern part. I had it replaced with a genuine Volvo item. I also had the fuel breather hose replaced on the top of the fuel tank to the engine, 2 steering rack gaitors as mine were a bit perrished, inner cv boot as mine was perrished and slightly torn and I had the tracking and 4 wheel alignment done.
Here is a pic of the rear outer trailing arm bushes - Volvo said they are doing 2 a week at my local main dealer on 850's & S/V/C70's and mine were amoung the worst they have seen! Most independant garages dont want to touch the trailing arm bushes as there are 2 extraction tools (one for each bush) and they are very difficult to replace without the extraction tools. Anyway every bush etc has now been replaced on my car so it should be good for a few thousand more miles! Volvo did a free health check while it was there and said the car is in excellent shape - although I could have almost bought a new Volvo for the amount I have spent on this one (not that I would though!).
As you can see the trailing arm outer bushes are completely "shot" and the centre moves freely in one and has completely come out of the other.
The car is now absolutely silent and totally different to drive. Where the bushes were so worn before, there was no "feel" from the back of the car, now there is and it is a real pleasure to drive!
Here is a pic of my filthy car in the snow yesterday night.
I picked my car up from Caffyns Volvo on Friday after having the rear trailing arm inner and outer bushes replaced, they also noticed that the near side control arm bearing had broken - that would explain the slight rub on full lock. I had only just replaced the control arm in August but it was a pattern part. I had it replaced with a genuine Volvo item. I also had the fuel breather hose replaced on the top of the fuel tank to the engine, 2 steering rack gaitors as mine were a bit perrished, inner cv boot as mine was perrished and slightly torn and I had the tracking and 4 wheel alignment done.
Here is a pic of the rear outer trailing arm bushes - Volvo said they are doing 2 a week at my local main dealer on 850's & S/V/C70's and mine were amoung the worst they have seen! Most independant garages dont want to touch the trailing arm bushes as there are 2 extraction tools (one for each bush) and they are very difficult to replace without the extraction tools. Anyway every bush etc has now been replaced on my car so it should be good for a few thousand more miles! Volvo did a free health check while it was there and said the car is in excellent shape - although I could have almost bought a new Volvo for the amount I have spent on this one (not that I would though!).
As you can see the trailing arm outer bushes are completely "shot" and the centre moves freely in one and has completely come out of the other.
The car is now absolutely silent and totally different to drive. Where the bushes were so worn before, there was no "feel" from the back of the car, now there is and it is a real pleasure to drive!
Here is a pic of my filthy car in the snow yesterday night.
AUGUST 2009
Finished a couple more mods to my car this week. I had all 4 wheels re-furbed in TVR anthracite, I had the side strips on the doors and front wing colour coded to match the car, and I had the grey on the front and rear bumpers restored so that I dont have to smear bumper care on each weekend!
Here is a pic before with the side strips un colour coded and my old wheel colour :
And here are the photos from today :
I think it looks better now!
Finished a couple more mods to my car this week. I had all 4 wheels re-furbed in TVR anthracite, I had the side strips on the doors and front wing colour coded to match the car, and I had the grey on the front and rear bumpers restored so that I dont have to smear bumper care on each weekend!
Here is a pic before with the side strips un colour coded and my old wheel colour :
And here are the photos from today :
I think it looks better now!
Rawhide said:
Great car well done for keeping keeping it fresh. We have a V70 2.5l estate which is a 'dog car'. It's a complete heap and just has basic maintenance to keep it running. It's also converted to LPG.
The thing is bulletproof and still a to to drive. Very comfortable for distance trips too.
I would definately consider a T-5 at the prices they have reached now as a second car.
Thanks for the kind words. You can pick up T-5's for very reasonable prices, although it is worth searching hard for one that has had money thrown at it than one in need of a bit of tlc. TBH the prices between the two isn't massive any way..The thing is bulletproof and still a to to drive. Very comfortable for distance trips too.
I would definately consider a T-5 at the prices they have reached now as a second car.
MARCH 2009
I took my car to RT Mechanics to have my tie bar poly bushes and the fire wall poly bush done on Friday. The bushes are excellent and the engine hardly rocks at all - the sound in the cabin is also improved a lot. Russ certainly knows his stuff about 850's, really pleased with the service & very impressed with the knowledge. I received some useful advice & Russ also picked on a couple of small things wrong with my car that my main dealer didn't spot a few months ago, which I will be getting done in the near future. I will definately be going back.
Pics of the bushes :
The old torque arm with standard bushes is next to it for comparison :
Here is a pic of the poly fire wall mount:
Also bought and fitted an ultra racing rear strut brace :
Fitted:
No bother at all to fit! I will have to test drive it to see if it makes any noticeable difference!
Kerry
I took my car to RT Mechanics to have my tie bar poly bushes and the fire wall poly bush done on Friday. The bushes are excellent and the engine hardly rocks at all - the sound in the cabin is also improved a lot. Russ certainly knows his stuff about 850's, really pleased with the service & very impressed with the knowledge. I received some useful advice & Russ also picked on a couple of small things wrong with my car that my main dealer didn't spot a few months ago, which I will be getting done in the near future. I will definately be going back.
Pics of the bushes :
The old torque arm with standard bushes is next to it for comparison :
Here is a pic of the poly fire wall mount:
Also bought and fitted an ultra racing rear strut brace :
Fitted:
No bother at all to fit! I will have to test drive it to see if it makes any noticeable difference!
Kerry
APRIL 2009
I bought a complete interior from an 850R owned by a member on another forum. I am really pleased with it as it is almost mint. The base and upright bolsters hold you in much better than the original 850 T-5R seats - almost did my back in changing the seats over though!!
Before :
Stripped interior :
New seats and door cards fitted. Only missing the 850R steering wheel now as I already had the grey gear knob!
I got these 96 seat belts to match the new ones in the front. Volvo changed them in 96 so my 95 ones didnt match!
I also got this 850R handbrake cover for less than £40 from my main dealers :
I bought a complete interior from an 850R owned by a member on another forum. I am really pleased with it as it is almost mint. The base and upright bolsters hold you in much better than the original 850 T-5R seats - almost did my back in changing the seats over though!!
Before :
Stripped interior :
New seats and door cards fitted. Only missing the 850R steering wheel now as I already had the grey gear knob!
I got these 96 seat belts to match the new ones in the front. Volvo changed them in 96 so my 95 ones didnt match!
I also got this 850R handbrake cover for less than £40 from my main dealers :
MAY 2009
Me and my mates have been for another European road trip. 4 countries in 1 day, and of course another visit to the nurburgring:
T4Mark hadn't finished his T4 build in time so he bought a 940 turbo from Ebay.
Here's a couple of pics:
My car
In Belgium
Marks 940 Turbo on the ring. He did a couple of mods to it : 740 turbo alloys with 205/50/15 Hankooks, lowered 40 mm, MBC and he managed around about an 11 minute lap (not timed, but to the nearest minute). Not bad for an ebay special 1991 brick
Next was time for my service at RT Mechanics. I use RT Mechanics as the service and workmanship is second to none and you always know what is going on with your car. :
Oil and filter change
Poly wishbone bushes
New oil cooler pipes as mine were leaking
New control arm
Expansion tank as mine was cracked
Temp sensor
Thermostat
Coolant change
Heat wrapped exhaust. Very pleased with the heat wrapped exhaust - I wish I had measured engine bay temps before and after as im sure it makes a difference..
Me and my mates have been for another European road trip. 4 countries in 1 day, and of course another visit to the nurburgring:
T4Mark hadn't finished his T4 build in time so he bought a 940 turbo from Ebay.
Here's a couple of pics:
My car
In Belgium
Marks 940 Turbo on the ring. He did a couple of mods to it : 740 turbo alloys with 205/50/15 Hankooks, lowered 40 mm, MBC and he managed around about an 11 minute lap (not timed, but to the nearest minute). Not bad for an ebay special 1991 brick
Next was time for my service at RT Mechanics. I use RT Mechanics as the service and workmanship is second to none and you always know what is going on with your car. :
Oil and filter change
Poly wishbone bushes
New oil cooler pipes as mine were leaking
New control arm
Expansion tank as mine was cracked
Temp sensor
Thermostat
Coolant change
Heat wrapped exhaust. Very pleased with the heat wrapped exhaust - I wish I had measured engine bay temps before and after as im sure it makes a difference..
paulpsz008 said:
Only just came across this thread. Lovely car and with all the right mods.
940 on the ring?
Thanks for the kind words.940 on the ring?
Yeah, it got some looks (and some laughs
) my mate didnt get his project car finished in time so spent £500 including mods on the 940! Hes still using it as a runabout now..AUGUST 2009
My recent breakdown: I had my car booked in for its MOT, and I hadn't really planned to have much done. My car had been making a few clicking and scraping noises from the front left which was a bit odd but didn't sound or seem to be too serious, so I thought I would leave it until it was up at RT Mechanics to be checked out.
My girlfriend and I set off on a Friday at the beginning of August to go on holiday so we drove to brooklands where we were camping for the weekend. On the way there the noise got louder and louder but we had to get there before 7.30 pm. By the time we arrived, the n/s front brake was binding. I decided not to drive it to RT Mechanics on the Saturday as the problem was getting too serious.
Here's my car on the breakdown truck!
When we arrived at RT Mechanics it was about 3pm and I was lucky enough to be taken out in the Peril (Russ's project car). It was absolutely fantastic! Gives me something to aim for with mine in the future.. Thanks again Russ.
Heres a few pics of the problem with mine:
The disc and carrier have changed colour as they got so hot from the binding caliper!
It turns out that the noises were from my c.v. joint which was beginning to fail.
I had a new c.v. joint fitted, new discs, wheel arch liner, a carrier and also an abs sensor and at the same time I had a few mods carried out!
Carbotech xp8 pads.
IPD uprated anti roll bars on Russ's recommendation.
Brass gear linkage bushes on Russ's recommendation.
I have to say that my car has now been transformed. The car feels like it stops twice as quick with those pads! The work well from cold and are fantastic from hot.
The gear change is now silk smooth - can't believe the difference something so simple makes.
And to leave the best until last.... the IPD arb's are simply amazing! The difference they make even with coilovers already fitted is unbelievable. The stability, grip and feel are now superb.
Thanks Russ and RT Mechanics, my car is perfect again for now at least!
My recent breakdown: I had my car booked in for its MOT, and I hadn't really planned to have much done. My car had been making a few clicking and scraping noises from the front left which was a bit odd but didn't sound or seem to be too serious, so I thought I would leave it until it was up at RT Mechanics to be checked out.
My girlfriend and I set off on a Friday at the beginning of August to go on holiday so we drove to brooklands where we were camping for the weekend. On the way there the noise got louder and louder but we had to get there before 7.30 pm. By the time we arrived, the n/s front brake was binding. I decided not to drive it to RT Mechanics on the Saturday as the problem was getting too serious.
Here's my car on the breakdown truck!
When we arrived at RT Mechanics it was about 3pm and I was lucky enough to be taken out in the Peril (Russ's project car). It was absolutely fantastic! Gives me something to aim for with mine in the future..
Thanks again Russ.Heres a few pics of the problem with mine:
The disc and carrier have changed colour as they got so hot from the binding caliper!
It turns out that the noises were from my c.v. joint which was beginning to fail.
I had a new c.v. joint fitted, new discs, wheel arch liner, a carrier and also an abs sensor and at the same time I had a few mods carried out!
Carbotech xp8 pads.
IPD uprated anti roll bars on Russ's recommendation.
Brass gear linkage bushes on Russ's recommendation.
I have to say that my car has now been transformed. The car feels like it stops twice as quick with those pads! The work well from cold and are fantastic from hot.
The gear change is now silk smooth - can't believe the difference something so simple makes.
And to leave the best until last.... the IPD arb's are simply amazing! The difference they make even with coilovers already fitted is unbelievable. The stability, grip and feel are now superb.
Thanks Russ and RT Mechanics, my car is perfect again for now at least!
SEPTEMBER 2009
Me and the lads went over to the Nurburgring again from 17 - 21 September. Great weather and managed to do a few laps. Car was brilliant, never missed a beat.
Thought I would post up a few pics :
At a Belgian petrol station
Next stop in Belgium
At the campsite
On the ring
One more shot before heading home
Me and the lads went over to the Nurburgring again from 17 - 21 September. Great weather and managed to do a few laps. Car was brilliant, never missed a beat.
Thought I would post up a few pics :
At a Belgian petrol station
Next stop in Belgium
At the campsite
On the ring
One more shot before heading home
MARCH / APRIL 2010
PART 1
Thought I would post up my next big modification to the car :
I bought from caffyns Volvo :
1 x set of flywheel bolts
1 x set of clutch retaining bolts
1 x clutch slave circlip
1 x rear main seal
2 x drive shaft nuts
2 x litres of genuine gearbox oil
1 x aux belt for no aircon
1 x clutch release bearing
1 x clutch slave cylinder
And a set of Delrin subframe bushes from RT Mechanics :
Barrysc, T4Mark, my other friend Mark and I made a 240 mile round trip to collect the following :
1 x recon gearbox with new bearings and seals etc :
with one of these fitted :
An uprated 850R clutch :
All being well, next weekends jobs are to fit all the parts and ditch the heavy old aircon!!
Cheers to Barry for the lift to Bournemouth and back (and for walking the gearbox to the car and then to my house single handedly!!)
PART 2
Update for last Sunday :
Barrysc and T4Mark got to my house at 10.30 and we started straight away on stripping bits off the car ready to get the gear box off. They have already done this job on Barrys T-5 so my main roles were bolt removing, nut loosening, tea making and tool passing!
Heres my car with a few bits stripped :
Engine bay is looking a bit less familiar :
Barrysc and T4Mark
Few more bits off :
Engine support on :
Engine bay looking very bare :
AndysR and Jim_S70R came over to see how things were going in the afternoon and by 5pm we actually got to the stage of removing the old box and clutch, but those pictures didnt come out too well so I will take some tomorrow of that stage before I start.
The plan is to crack on with it again tomorrow so I will post an update at some point next week....
PART 3
Started at 11 ish on Sunday, and made quite good progress. Here is an update from Sundays work :
Here is a pic of where we got to last week with the box off:
New rear main seal fitted:
Flywheel re-fitted with the new style bolts:
Gearbox and Quaife fitted:
Subframe back up, engine mounts re fitted, air-con removed etc:
This is where we left it for the day. Just need to bleed the clutch and re-fit all the hoses etc
PART 4
We managed to get the diff finished on Saturday, im a bit rushed today so heres a brief summary with pictures :
Reblaced my drive shaft boots whileoff:
Barry working hard:
Looking a bit more complete :
Back together, but will it jump start?
Luckily was all ok :
Here is a pic from Brooklands on Sunday :
The Quaife diff is fantastic. I thought the IPD bars were my best mod until I got this. Grip is incredible and it is almost a joke how early you can put the power on coming out of bends and roundabouts!
I will post up how im getting on after a few miles.
PART 1
Thought I would post up my next big modification to the car :
I bought from caffyns Volvo :
1 x set of flywheel bolts
1 x set of clutch retaining bolts
1 x clutch slave circlip
1 x rear main seal
2 x drive shaft nuts
2 x litres of genuine gearbox oil
1 x aux belt for no aircon
1 x clutch release bearing
1 x clutch slave cylinder
And a set of Delrin subframe bushes from RT Mechanics :
Barrysc, T4Mark, my other friend Mark and I made a 240 mile round trip to collect the following :
1 x recon gearbox with new bearings and seals etc :
with one of these fitted
:An uprated 850R clutch :
All being well, next weekends jobs are to fit all the parts and ditch the heavy old aircon!!
Cheers to Barry for the lift to Bournemouth and back (and for walking the gearbox to the car and then to my house single handedly!!)
PART 2
Update for last Sunday :
Barrysc and T4Mark got to my house at 10.30 and we started straight away on stripping bits off the car ready to get the gear box off. They have already done this job on Barrys T-5 so my main roles were bolt removing, nut loosening, tea making and tool passing!
Heres my car with a few bits stripped :
Engine bay is looking a bit less familiar :
Barrysc and T4Mark
Few more bits off :
Engine support on :
Engine bay looking very bare :
AndysR and Jim_S70R came over to see how things were going in the afternoon and by 5pm we actually got to the stage of removing the old box and clutch, but those pictures didnt come out too well so I will take some tomorrow of that stage before I start.
The plan is to crack on with it again tomorrow so I will post an update at some point next week....
PART 3
Started at 11 ish on Sunday, and made quite good progress. Here is an update from Sundays work :
Here is a pic of where we got to last week with the box off:
New rear main seal fitted:
Flywheel re-fitted with the new style bolts:
Gearbox and Quaife fitted:
Subframe back up, engine mounts re fitted, air-con removed etc:
This is where we left it for the day. Just need to bleed the clutch and re-fit all the hoses etc
PART 4
We managed to get the diff finished on Saturday, im a bit rushed today so heres a brief summary with pictures :
Reblaced my drive shaft boots whileoff:
Barry working hard:
Looking a bit more complete :
Back together, but will it jump start?
Luckily was all ok :
Here is a pic from Brooklands on Sunday :
The Quaife diff is fantastic. I thought the IPD bars were my best mod until I got this. Grip is incredible and it is almost a joke how early you can put the power on coming out of bends and roundabouts!
I will post up how im getting on after a few miles.
APRIL 2010
No updates as such, but did a 140 mile round trip on Monday to the Quaife MSA British Rallycross championship at Lydden Hill and back and the car was absolutely fantastic. The diff really is amazing and the grip is incredible. One of the best things I found with it is that you can enter some corners in a higher gear than usual because you can power round and out of bends at a much higher speed. What was quick cornering before, is now no effort cornering with the Quaife installed!
There were 6 Volvo's competing (4 240's, 1 ph 1 S40 and one ph2 S40 with a 3.0 red block) on Monday, and every race that had a Volvo entry was won by a Volvo. Unfortunately there were no Volvo's in the top class but the racing was excellent as usual.
Here is a pic of my car taken by a photographer who was at the rallycross :
No updates as such, but did a 140 mile round trip on Monday to the Quaife MSA British Rallycross championship at Lydden Hill and back and the car was absolutely fantastic. The diff really is amazing and the grip is incredible. One of the best things I found with it is that you can enter some corners in a higher gear than usual because you can power round and out of bends at a much higher speed. What was quick cornering before, is now no effort cornering with the Quaife installed!
There were 6 Volvo's competing (4 240's, 1 ph 1 S40 and one ph2 S40 with a 3.0 red block) on Monday, and every race that had a Volvo entry was won by a Volvo. Unfortunately there were no Volvo's in the top class but the racing was excellent as usual.
Here is a pic of my car taken by a photographer who was at the rallycross :
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