I am a newbie to this board and to Volvos. I bought an 850 wagon last week with 157k on it from a local volvo garage has worked on it for several years. After i hand the kind fella my check and he hands me my keys i notice a few more things about the car. (isn't that always the way it goes?)

1) a noise that sounds like the ferrett from the old budweiser commercials that only occurs when i turn right and it sounds like it is coming from the glove box. (i know.. odd)

2) the radiator is leaking from the plastic end on the passenger side (the nice fella at the shop has promised to make this issue right)

3) there is a buzzing/vibration coming from the oil filter area when the car is under 1000RPM. ever heard this before? is it a sign of oil pump problems to come? (and the shop guy who is awfully nice says he will look at this too)

4) the mild noise i heard from the CV joints when test-driving while turning sharp or under accelleration is still present although he says he doesn't hear it when he drove it. is this a sign of something or is it normal for a 157k miles volvo?

now... the manager at this shop seems terrific, but i am a sceptic and have owned only fords, chevys, etc, etc, for decades and this is my first Volvo so please forgive my prior vehicle choices and lend me your experience and advice.

thanks a bunch!
-woodsytf

I do not know why this would be in this year car but you never know, is it a parallelogram steering set-up?

thanks for the response.

i am unfamiliar with parallelogram steering set-up? how would i figure that out?

-woodsytf

Parallelogram system has 3 diffrent parts then the rack and pinion it has the idler arm, pitman arm, and center linkage. The idler arm is what I would look at if it is a parallelogram linkage system because it is mounted on the passenger side frame, and it would be under more stress on a right turn. Follow your steering and if you have an idler arm and there is ANY play in it, it is time to fix it.

OPen up the glovebox and check the condition of the lid and the connecting edges. Typically this breaks and makes the noise. (It doesn help if you like to drop the lid opening it everytime, either.
:)

Fixable with some long rivets.
(Well, at least on mine...)
:D

The black plastic ends are changeable. You can just change the ends - but the problem is to find a mechanic who would be willing to do it. For ease, they usually prefer to change the whole thang.

Check your local parts store for pricing.

Sorry, am not sure of that.

Just check, are you losing engine oil, due to this vibration?





No noise is normal. It should ride quiet.

numbers 2 and 3 are fixed. the shop replaced the radiator and the oil filter. the filter was bad (a screen or baffle had come loose)

on number 4)... the CV joint noise is very faint and the mechanic wants me to pay attention to it and call as soon as it changes.

on number 1)... this whine/squeal i am hearing over near the glovebox could be a vaguely hydraulic sound. is there steering gear/parts or some other thing like that near the right/passenger side to do this?

thanks a bunch for your help/input,
cheers,
-woodsytf
'95 850 wagon

Well, take a look.

I believe for a left-hand drive, there is nothing at that side of the engine-wall, right? Hmmm, could it be your power-steering tank starved of PS fluid?

Is there an idler arm there? Or do you have a standard rack and pinion?