clutch advice

98 V70. The clutch has recently been 'howling' at me when I let it out under stress (accelerating quickly or starting up a hill). It sounds like a walrus almost, and it's pretty loud. It's had the factory clutch in it for 163,000 miles so I'm pretty sure that's what I need to replace.

How hard is a clutch to do in this car? I was talking to a mechanic a while ago and I think I remember him saying it was a massive pain. I've done all the maintainence in this car for the past 30,000 miles (when I bought it from my parents) but that's only been oil, an axle, a ball joint, brakes, plugs, and the exhaust manifold. I'm sure if I get the transmission out I can take care of it, but do you think it's worth it just to take it to a garage?

Thanks.

Reply to
testhdd
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It is not that simple you need to lower the sub frame support the engine & be able to lower the engine as needed to have the gearbox drop down enough to clear the engine compartment all told this is approximately an all day job with the right tools plus once you remove the gearbox & remove the pressure plate & the clutch disc then you need to remove the flywheel to have it machined so the clutch disc has a smooth surface to match up with personally being a Volvo technician i would not recommend this job be performed unless you are very technically inclined I do not like to do this repair I would rather replace a window cassette on a early C70 before doing a clutch on a FWD car Glenn K Volvo Certified Technician 2008 ASE Certified Technician 2008

Reply to
Glenn K

As a long time shadetree mechanic (since the late 60's) who has done a number of clutches and much more, if someone had to ask me if they should/could do a clutch on a FWD car, my immediate response would be, NO! It's the old adage, if you have to ask, the answer is no.

My '90 240 is getting near the end of the clutch cable for adjustment, and I am assuming that the clutch's life is near its end (with 210,000 on it) and compared to your car, I could change the clutch out in my car while holding a beer.

..I never liked fwd cars (never owned one, and hopefully never will), and having to change a clutch in one is fairly high on the list of reasons why.

But, if you feel brave, pick up the repair manual and look through that process.. I think you will see why. __ __ Randy & \ \/ /alerie's \__/olvos '90 245 Estate - '93 965 Estate "Shelby" & "Kate"

Reply to
Randy G.

I agree with others that it's not an easy DIY job.

If it's only doing it occasionally, I'd suggest ignoring it - it's unlikely to be fatal.

I had a 99 V70 (Diesel) whose clutch started gowling intermittently after about 40,000 miles. I kept it for another 4 years after that, and never changed the clutch - I just put up with the occasional growl. When I traded it in for a new one, the dealer didn't even notice!

Reply to
Roger Mills

The one exception that I'm aware of is the classic Saab 900. FWD, with the easiest to replace clutch I've ever seen. The engine sits on top of the gearbox which has the oil pan cast into it and power is transmitted from the clutch to the gearbox via an enclosed chain drive so the clutch is right out on the front, you don't even have to remove the gearbox or engine.

Reply to
James Sweet

I remember sitting in a VW dealership waiting for parts. They also sold Saab (talk about gluttons for punishment). I was watching a mechanic in the shop working under the hood of a Saab, dividing his time fairly equally between wrenching and swearing. He called them "Slaabs."

Mom had a '89 Ford Taurus. I drove it a couple of times. Hated it. besides having a POS motor and transmission, my opinion of FWD was reinforced. My theory is, when do you need the most traction? Going uphill on low-traction surfaces from a stop. When accelerating on such a surface, where does the weight transfer? To the rear wheels.

I know that there are fans of this FWD drivetrains, but I have video of me driving my '90 245 RWD, a few miles in the snow including a fairly steep climb up my dirt and gravel, snow-covered driveway with no chains and standard tires. I would still be digging out that Taurus. Through the climb up the driveway you can hear my wife, who was in the passenger seat, saying, "Go Volvo!"

__ __ Randy & \ \/ /alerie's \__/olvos '90 245 Estate - '93 965 Estate "Shelby" & "Kate"

Reply to
Randy G.

My ex had one that was needing some TLC when acquired, so I've spent a fair amount of time working on it. Funny thing is I miss that car much more than I ever missed her. It was the car that opened my mind from being completely dead set on RWD, I still love my 240, but I was very, very close to picking up a 900 Turbo a couple years back. It's the sort of thing where if you haven't spent some time driving one, you wouldn't know. They're different for sure, but by no means difficult to work on. Sounds like an incompetent mechanic more so than any fault with the car. One I figured out the tricks, nothing I ever did on the 900 was any harder than on a 240, just different. Keep in mind what I say applies only to the pre-'94 900 series which has a longitudinal engine. The later GM 900s as well as the 9000's have a more conventional transverse engine, those are never any fun to deal with.

Reply to
James Sweet

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