Rory

Information and facts about the 850 AWD I have discovered through research (I will be putting unsure info in asterisk):

Volvo's first AWD car. 2011 total made, with 309 being made in RHD, *with all but 58 of the RHD cars being sold to the EU, meaning only 58 would've been distributed to Australia, New Zealand and Japan* (there is a lot of conflicting information and argument about this, but from my research, this is the information that seems to be correct, and the source for this specific info claims to be directly given from a Volvo dealer in Gothenburg 2016-ish.)All were built as manual wagons (m58 variant), with the 2.435L low pressure 13G Turbo engine (B5254T), *about 8.5s 0-100kmph*Had 14mm raised suspension (independent), *with an non-electronic active leveling suspension system in rear (nivomats), which manually leveled the suspension whilst driving to prevent sag when towing or with heavy items in boot.*Came stock with a tow bar and metal luggage cage.Had a identical AWD system as the all the other P80 AWD cars, including V70xc and V70R.Came with the similar features as other high spec 1996/1997 850's, but did not come with boost Guage like sport models did.About $85,000 msrp in 1997 not including inflation. Something like $150,000 after accounting for inflation.Weighed 1575kg, a bit more then the FWD, which weighed 1385-1520kg.https://www.volvoclub.org.uk/volvonews2.shtml
Rory

Information and facts about the 850 AWD I have discovered through research (I will be putting unsure info in asterisk):

Volvo's first AWD car. 2011 total made, with 309 being made in RHD, *with all but 58 of the RHD cars being sold to the EU, meaning only 58 would've been distributed to Australia, New Zealand and Japan* (there is a lot of conflicting information and argument about this, but from my research, this is the information that seems to be correct, and the source for this specific info claims to be directly given from a Volvo dealer in Gothenburg 2016-ish.)All were built as manual wagons (m58 variant), with the 2.435L low pressure 13G Turbo engine (B5254T), *about 8.5s 0-100kmph*Had 14mm raised suspension (independent), *with an non-electronic active leveling suspension system in rear (nivomats), which manually leveled the suspension whilst driving to prevent sag when towing or with heavy items in boot.*Came stock with a tow bar and metal luggage cage.Had a identical AWD system as the all the other P80 AWD cars, including V70xc and V70R.Came with the similar features as other high spec 1996/1997 850's, but did not come with boost Guage like sport models did.About $85,000 msrp in 1997 not including inflation. Something like $150,000 after accounting for inflation.Weighed 1575kg, a bit more then the FWD, which weighed 1385-1520kg.https://www.volvoclub.org.uk/volvonews2.shtml

Hi Rory, It was me who got that information direct from Sweden during the rebuild of my own Irish Reg'd 1996 Volvo 850 AWD so that data is correct wrt markets/numbers produced. We've been in contact I believe via Instagram where I have my project rebuild on the go. (Also, up on volvoforums.org.uk).

Best regards

Sonic_Blue_ST220

      2 months later
      18 days later

      Ended up having to replace the steering rack. The process involved lowering the rear of the subframe and loosing engine mounts to get it down enough to slide the steering rack out the side.
      Got Rego, driven probably 1000klms by now with no major issues aside from a vibration and a shaking, I suspect the RHS strut tower I swapped in was no good. Already used it as a people mover with 7 people, as well as a cargo van, and it makes an absolutely awesome sound in the process. It pretty much all you need in a car, as a Volvo wagon should be.
      (Also, if anyone in Sydney has black panels, specifically RHS fender, bonnet, bumper and headlight eyelid trim. Would be interested in buying, saves me having to paint over the really high-quality Volvo paint.)

      easier to replace rack on AWD than FWD as no rear mount on steering rack......

      • Rory replied to this.

        Ex850R yeah was fairly straightforward, for some reason I couldn't get it to slide out the back like the manuals/guides suggested, was far easier to slide out the side.

            Rory
            Left sied ? I never got to do it but i lay under there many times dreaming of it.....
            Was a 97 V70R that hadbeen 4WD in red dust SA...

            • Rory replied to this.

                Ex850R I slid it out the drivers side, (right), not sure if the other way would've been better, the main obstacle was getting the steering shaft out through the small gap, had to loosen the engine mounts to make a few more millimetres of space.

                    Rory WELL DONE ( wht the fck with this caps key its got mind of own!!!_)
                    You better do a video channel!!!!

                      Pix or it bever happened!

                      • Rory replied to this.

                        Ex850R damn haha, never took any photos, never really thought about it till the job was done, will take photos next time. Wish I could say I did the job perfect, the car has formed a power steering leak since I made the replacement I'm still yet to narrow down, and I've got the hoses that run from the steering rack to the power steering pump floating in space as I cant seem to find how they are supposed to be secured from factory. I've tightened the hoses so hopefully that fixes the leaking fluid, and ill probably just throw a bash plate on rather then worrying about the loose hanging power steering hoses. Also nearly had the car topple over as it was sitting on some sketchy jack points as well haha.
                        Another issue I faced was putting back on the steering spline, spend honestly half the job trying to get the nut that locks it in place through the groove in the spline, ended up using the threads of the screw to force it through. Wasn't ideal but it worked, couldn't find any way to get it to line up and go through better.

                            Rory
                            Dirt floor garage engineering at ist best.
                            You do us armchair 'mechanics' proud!!!!!!!!!!

                              Now , go outside and take some pix , please.

                              *see Pole barn garage on YT for inspiring knowledge

                              • Rory replied to this.

                                Ex850R will send through some photos next time I'm under the car. That YouTube channel seems interesting, I like the xjs they have.

                                    Rory
                                    The Jaaaaaaggg!
                                    CHECK THE PONTIAC GTO he has.....The Holey Goat.
                                    The Holey Goat , now THAT is country Australia type car, his Mom has a pristine GTO so thm two together is fun.
                                    Make some video Man .
                                    WE NEED A VIDEO CHANNEL HERE .

                                      6 months later

                                      UPDATE:

                                      Ive discovered his car is a total lemon haha.

                                      Then the engine swap was done in the past, the brake booster vaccume hose was cut in two spots, and rather then getting a new hose, they reconnected the old hose with slightly larger bits of hose. As you can imagine, it popped off and i lost brake booster whilst driving. I suspect similar has been done with the ac system, as it doesnt even remotely hold any vaccume.

                                      Since getting it on the road, car has had a worsening grinding/vibration on the front right, and a faulty rebuilt steering rack, it leaks out of literally every place it can. (Will be speaking to berry motor group for a replacement).

                                      Furthermore, its started to push oil out of the dipstick, would that be cause by the dipstick o-ring being loose?

                                      Aside from that the cars been great, ive driven it 6000klms so far, and only been through multiple liters of powers steering fluid haha.

                                      Image description

                                      Note, i also stole a spoiler off our v70 t5 and put it on haha.

                                      The oil out dipstick is usually the PCV system is blocked

                                      Get a new kit and swap, easy job, take off inlet manifold and it’s all there, get the full kit with all hoses.

                                      Berrys have them in stock and may have steering rack on shelf as well.

                                      Remember to get inlet manifold gasket and new oil cap o ring (every few oil changes replace it) and dipstick o ring

                                      • Rory replied to this.

                                        Ex850R sorry, forgot to mention, tested pcv, pulling a healthy vacuume.

                                        Also, i got the steering rack from berry motor group, ended up being faulty, so i will probably have to send it back for a replacement, its a AWD steering rack so its pretty rare.

                                          Ex850R where do usually get the dipstick plastic handle from? Dont wanna pay a shitload for shipping from ipd. The one that was on the car fell apart so i "borrowed" one from my other 850, i think its a different part number, the diameter of this new dipstick is smaller

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