Looks like the end for my old girl

**Tee5alive** · Monday 13th February 2023, 13:34

Hi folks

last year my car passed MOT without a hitch this year HANDBRAKE (usual Volvo fail - so useless theose handbrakes) drop links (minor) and centre and rear exhaust blowing.

The lowest quote I can get is kwik Fit for for the exhaust £508!!!!

I can do the other jobs cheaply but that exhaust is more than the cars worth now- gutted so Im going to have to let her go.........

The MOT tester reckons 'its been repaired before' IVE NEVER NOTICED THAT???

(UPDATE ) I used to use 'Gun Gum' years back and was told ITS ILLEGAL NOW?? SO WHY DO THEY STILL MAKE IT?

I have a blow in the very back box/ silencer can VERY SMALL can i bandage that and a leak near a flange. If I get that of can I MIG a plate over the holes for a pass?

I also have plastic metal?

I CANT let her die

**Dangerous Dave** · Monday 13th February 2023, 19:32

Mine failed on the handbrake. When I took it apart I realised they never fitted adjusters like on the older Volvos, they just fit solid bars.

So I just stole them from my spares Volvo 850 and boom adjustable handbrake. Turns out you can get the adjusters quite cheap on ebay and apparently Volvo were retrofitting the adjusters due to the issue. Thanks a bunch FORD.

As for the exhaust, you can weld a plate over it, as long as it doesn't leak then it should pass. I've had plates welded all over mine before with no issues.

**Tee5alive** · Tuesday 14th February 2023, 05:34

CHEERS DAVE up on the ramps she goes then in the freezing fog -LUVERLY.

Yeah I love Volvos just NOT the handbrake arrangement! Ive had cars where the handbrake grips the disc MUCH EASIER hardly ever fails MOT. I have had th e shoes I bought many cars ago I always keep a few sets in!!

I KNOW the handbrake was SOLID I think they were 'touting for work!' I set it on the adjuster then did the IN GEAR try to drive forward and reverse SOLID no movement so HOW can they say its not holding??

We also have hills around here like 60 degrees I can park on to test - its FINE on them. Like I say its very quiet atm so 'need the work' prob.

Thats a handy tip for the adusters I also found it can be done WITH the wheels on by removing one wheel bolt but its V FIDDLY but you can click it over enough to set it! Use a LONG thin flat blade.

EVERY time I go to a garage and ask 'can you set the handbrake up.....theres the BIG intake of breath and the calculator comes out!! "ooohh WELL sir....thats......umm....+ that......so we looking at £450 = the VAT?" just TO DO THE HANDBRAKE?? One garage told me WE WILL NOT TOUCH VOLVO HANDBRAKES - END OF SORRY!
GARAGES HATE THEM!

**Dangerous Dave** · Tuesday 14th February 2023, 19:22

My AWD handbrake is shocking to say the least, and always has been unfortunately. I renewed everything cables, shoes, fitting kit and it was still pretty bad.

**stribo** · Wednesday 15th February 2023, 17:52

Originally Posted by Tee5alive

CHEERS DAVE up on the ramps she goes then in the freezing fog -LUVERLY.

Yeah I love Volvos just NOT the handbrake arrangement! Ive had cars where the handbrake grips the disc MUCH EASIER hardly ever fails MOT. I have had th e shoes I bought many cars ago I always keep a few sets in!!

I KNOW the handbrake was SOLID I think they were 'touting for work!' I set it on the adjuster then did the IN GEAR try to drive forward and reverse SOLID no movement so HOW can they say its not holding??

We also have hills around here like 60 degrees I can park on to test - its FINE on them. Like I say its very quiet atm so 'need the work' prob.

Thats a handy tip for the adusters I also found it can be done WITH the wheels on by removing one wheel bolt but its V FIDDLY but you can click it over enough to set it! Use a LONG thin flat blade.

EVERY time I go to a garage and ask 'can you set the handbrake up.....theres the BIG intake of breath and the calculator comes out!! "ooohh WELL sir....thats......umm....+ that......so we looking at £450 = the VAT?" just TO DO THE HANDBRAKE?? One garage told me WE WILL NOT TOUCH VOLVO HANDBRAKES - END OF SORRY!
GARAGES HATE THEM!

Find a different MOT test centre.

**Tee5alive** · Tuesday 28th February 2023, 18:00

Ive got the car up on jacks and had a look and the silencer looks like a sive! I have found 2 'possible' silencers at a reasonable price.
The trouble is Im not sure which one looks like mine? Im thinking possibly 'B'

Any hints please A or B?

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**Dangerous Dave** · Thursday 2nd March 2023, 20:25

B just looks a deeper version of A (only rotated)

**uqj83l** · Sunday 12th March 2023, 18:57

B definitely

**Tee5alive** · Tuesday 21st March 2023, 14:05

Well my new exhaust finally arrived the centre section and silencer plus the rear box. Now Ive replaced many exhausts in my time and THIS was the easiest Ive ever experienced! TWO BOLTS which came out without gas axe or grinding then the rubber donuts and it was out. An HOUR start to finish it took me longer to ramp it and get my tools ready! GOOD OLD VOLVO!! Replaced the rear discs pads and shoes and set up the handbrake - MOT this afternoon.

**kmb** · Tuesday 21st March 2023, 21:06

Hope it passes now.

**Tee5alive** · Monday 3rd April 2023, 23:08

Originally Posted by kmb

Hope it passes now.

YES she flew throught and the MOT guy said how much better she was now! Trouble is I have moved onto a farm now and shes struggling with the muddy lanes so I may have to get a 4x4 Volvo XC70 or XC90. Id be happy with a V70R but im not a millionaire