DCW’s 960 wagon

DCW242 · 2021-01-16T10:06:23+00:00

I temporarily fitted some Titans, I'll probably go back to the S80 wheels soon.

DCW242

Philia_Bear
Slightly less worn....
How much better is the suspension now?

The knock is gone now which is nice, it use to knock heaps, even on a smooth road. Handling seems to have improved slightly.

DCW242

I noticed last night that the heater tap was starting to leak, they're made of plastic and I was worried it wouldn't last much longer. I got a VZ commodore one at Bursons today which is the same thing. The bracket needs to be swapped to the new one but they are easy to replace.

Major Ledfoot

I'll have to ask for some advice from you and @asiandriver since I've joined The 960 Wagon Club.

Not as tidy as yours (yet! lol) but we're working on that...

235K km, 189 White with beige leather, YM96 (T) but June 95 build, with sunroof and now getting the love she needs. She's missing her front spoiler lip at present but @iceton1975 scored me a new one, which will get fitted when the bumper paint and some other bodywork sins of the PO are redeemed.

She goes goes hard and quietly, but she doesn't like being pressed in right-hand corners - there's a lot of vibration in the steering wheel that feels like I'm driving over potholes when the road surface is pretty good.

Were you having similar symptoms with your blue wagon before you did the shocks and bushes refresh?

How do the new Monroes in the front make your car feel? Does it feel less boaty now?

Also, what are your recommendations for replacement rear shocks? What are the common wear points bushes in IRS2?

DCW242

Nice, good to see it will be fixed up. Mine is a June 95 built MY96 as well.

I didn't have many cornering problems with mine, it was just noisy and a bit loose, I fitted 740 front springs when I changed all the other front suspension parts, it lowered it but only by ~10mm, it handles a lot better after all that.

I haven't changed the rear shocks in mine, it's a non nivo car though. The bushes that connect the upper control arms to the back of the subframe often wear, I have the part number somewhere.

DCW242

Nothing hugely exciting has happened with the 960 lately, I've fixed lots of small issues. It had starting issues that were getting worse, until one day it wouldn't start, then I discovered this. I made up a new negative battery lead with a new terminal and threaded it through the original tubing, that fixed most issues but it still wasn't great, then I discovered the wiring on the coil packs was corroded and filling apart, after replacing the coil pack wiring it was a lot better, the coil packs themselves need replacing though, which I'll get from the US next time I order stuff.

I also found this hose on the intake for the carbon canister which had a hole in it, it runs a lot better after replacing it.

I replaced the fuel return hose off the back of the regulator, it wasn't particularly bad but it was original and it's the only bit of rubber hose in the system.

I replaced a lot of the dash lights and everything is working now apart from the ambient temp gauge which I need to buy a bulb for.

DCW242

Here are some random photos of it, after cleaning it etc.

Delivering one of many C70s

Small spaniel waiting

Major Ledfoot

I replaced a lot of the dash lights and everything is working now apart from the ambient temp gauge which I need to buy a bulb for.

So do I, actually - mine is also kaput. Please let us know the part number or source for this light when you do.

DCW242

Major Ledfoot
I replaced a lot of the dash lights and everything is working now apart from the ambient temp gauge which I need to buy a bulb for.
So do I, actually - mine is also kaput. Please let us know the part number or source for this light when you do.

I found it on the database but when you search the part number it just comes up with a standard bulb, not the one soldered into the holder. A friend in the UK said he has 4 or 5 of them NOS, I'll see if I can get them.

DCW242

Took this pic while driving up to my parents place today, still going well. I'll stick with the Titans for now, ideally I'd like a slightly taller tyre on them. It needs coil packs and I have two new engine mounts I haven't had time to fit yet.

deNs

Do you prefer the red/clear/amber rear lights to the red/clear/red? Looks different to see those on a 960! Had to do a double take when I saw it initially.

Also, how good is taking the time to replace every dash bulb? So satisfying.

DCW242

deNs
Do you prefer the red/clear/amber rear lights to the red/clear/red? Looks different to see those on a 960! Had to do a double take when I saw it initially.
Also, how good is taking the time to replace every dash bulb? So satisfying.

I prefer the clear/red ones but they were stuffed and wouldn't pass roadworthy, these were all I had at the time. I'll buy some new 960 ones soon. It looks great at night now all the lights work, I only just realised looking at another 960 that the AC light is blue, it's orange on this car.

Philia_Bear

I want a 9xx wagon in my life again...

asiandriver

Just came back from another caravanning trip, 960 is a fantastic tow car as long as you stick to all the weights as specified in the owners manual - maximum 75kg on the tow ball, maximum 1,800kg trailer however external ATF cooler kit and chassis reinforcement kit required when towing above 1,600kg (recommended but not required when towing less than 1,600kg), and no more than 1,500kg on a hot day.

I’ve actually just replaced my rear leaf spring with a S90 Royal one (with Nivomat) - which is actually a standard non-Nivomat Sedan spring thickness but with reduced width. The original Nivomat spring for standard sedan & estate sagged badly when the car is parked, even with a relatively new (2 year old) Nivomat shocks. Much happier with the setup now, which also helps with reduced body roll when cornering.

DCW242

asiandriver
Just came back from another caravanning trip, 960 is a fantastic tow car as long as you stick to all the weights as specified in the owners manual - maximum 75kg on the tow ball, maximum 1,800kg trailer however external ATF cooler kit and chassis reinforcement kit required when towing above 1,600kg (recommended but not required when towing less than 1,600kg), and no more than 1,500kg on a hot day.
I’ve actually just replaced my rear leaf spring with a S90 Royal one (with Nivomat) - which is actually a standard non-Nivomat Sedan spring thickness but with reduced width. The original Nivomat spring for standard sedan & estate sagged badly when the car is parked, even with a relatively new (2 year old) Nivomat shocks. Much happier with the setup now, which also helps with reduced body roll when cornering.
https://cdn.ozvolvo.org/uploads/M0BKY7KG94QM/ff50ea86-1d2d-41b2-a5ac-c38cc65f9578.jpeg
https://cdn.ozvolvo.org/uploads/NJPC2CXK3WKI/b5921af3-6f06-473d-8368-61b24f98912a.jpeg

Nice, looking good. Interesting the Royal spring is different. This is a non nivo car but it is desperately in need of new rear shocks, they are next on the list.

DCW242

Just fitted a new coil harness, also removed the intake hose, idle valve, throttle body etc. Cleaned the throttle body and idle valve, the idle valve would move but not very easily, after cleaning is it moving freely. The intake hose isn't in great condition and appeared to be leaking in a few places. I'm tempted to replace it with one of these:

https://do88.com.au/shop/by-vehicle-make/volvo/940-960/volvo-960-s90-v90-91-98-inlet-hose/

Also replaced these rubber elbows on the firewall for the heater controls.

rado

Those little rubber elbows do perish and become sticky hey . Where did you get your new ones from ? I got a few last year from ipd along with an order . It would be good if you can get them in Oz , saves on postage ? .

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