850 T-5R Wagon Improvement Thread

TAKE ME HOME Lights

From reading online, it turns out that if you install a later style relay from the 70 series Volvo's it gives us 850 owners access to the 'take me home feature'. Once the car is turned off and keys removed form the ignition we just simply need to flash the high beams and then the low beam will be activated for approx 30s.

Nice feature to have, simple plug and play.

Original relay is green, new relay is grey:

BUSHING INSERTS:

Open to criticism here but decided to 3D print subframe inserts. Nice way to test how the car feels instead of paying the crazy postage fee from IPD.

If they fail then it was worth a shot.

Started printing one set and wasn't happy with the infill so increased it to 40%

I'll be sure to use lots of lubricant when installing which help them last that bit longer.

ENGINE MOUNTS & SUBFRAME INSERTS:

I've got a busy weekend ahead of me, my partner and new-born are away in Tassie so finally time to put all the items laying on my bench onto my car haha
First items are the engine mounts:

The top torque mount has has 3 mounts fitted over the past few months

• first one was totally destroyed
• used but ok condition one from wrecker
• now new superseded one which I hear isn't the best option as it puts strain on the brace as i had to jack up the engine slightly to get the engine side mounting bolt though the brace - any advice or tips on this setup would be great. I need to take more pics of this to explain what i mean.

I also replaced the right side engine mount which was also completely dead, I managed to get a new one on the GCP Black Friday Sales as this particular mount is way overpriced but I wanted it to be all genuine Volvo

I also gave it a good clean whilst i was in there - OCD takes over sometimes!! haha

Bush Inserts pics to come tonight……

2 steps forward, 1 step back. My battery level was low so i put on charge overnight - tucked the charger under the bonnet and gently put the bonnet down but it managed to hit against a plug and damaged the sound deadening fabric underneath - NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO :-( Now i need to try find another one in as clean condition

Johnno_ I've been there with my 240. If I had a thread for that work… it would be huge

Love your work and attention to detail

CATH UP WHILST FAMILY WAS AWAY (CONTINUED):

My partner and daughter were away in Tassie so I made use of this time to install all the parts I've been hoarding over the past few months.

It was fun until I ended up doing too many hours, but great progress and I wrote this post as I'm sitting at Melbourne Airport waiting to board a plane and reunite with my family for Xmas.

Keeping it straight to the point as always:

Replaced skirt plugs as skirts were previously sprayed without removing plugs:

Whilst I was under there I fitted rubber plugs where missing:

Noticed one of the bolts holding the bush plate in was incorrect length and head size so replaced with correct 14mm bolt.

Also replaced some engine cover bolts that looked a bit average

Installed some fuses from another wrecked 850 so that they all look the same - white text and confirmed correct fuses were in correct slots. I also noticed the blank slots for example the rear heated seats (my car doesn't have these) have terminals so I wonder if all the wiring is in place like other accessories

Collected more parts from Volvo. This shot really makes the older generation cars look very small

Installed the later style chime relay. This blue relay replaces the original relay that clicks continuously if you don't belt up. The new relay does other functions such as door open and key in ignition chimes.. This chime is easier on the ear. More of a 'bong bong'

The last of the firewall clips have arrived:

High horn was replaced in recent years but cracked. Replacement horn tested and fitted:

Broken door jam clip replaced!
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Front shock tower bolts are non factory. Being OCD here.... but only took 2 mins to replace