Xantiaman's Blog

[DickieG]

T5's do tend to wheelspin quite easily as they were just about the most powerful FWD car of its time and didn't have the luxury of traction control and how to refine the suspension to remove torque steer etc. They really do go when on boost.

Tyre wear on the N/S/F tyre shoulder is common due to roundabouts and that most people are far happier taking right bends quicker than they are left bends, seriously, I presume its because they are on the higher side of the car when turning right and don't feel as vulnerable, its an observation I've made sitting alongside many people trying to drive as quickly as they can.

Having said that there is clearly a problem with the steering if its tighter when turning in one direction, I'd be inclined to look towards the steering rack for that one. Due to the high power being pushed through the front wheels, if it was a ball joint I'd expect the car to change direction quite significantly as you apply then come off the drive, FWD cars will always tend to pull to the N/S due to the differential as the N/S wheel transmits most of the power to the road, remind me was the T5 fitted with a LSD? If so they can cause all manner of weird steering issues with regard to feel.

For info IIRC the Volvo club forum is open to non members as well, if you get to any particular head scratching issues let me know and I'll speak to my mate who is the Volvo club chairman and has a T5 for you, he owes me a few favours

[XantiaMan]

The power steering fluid is brown and filthy, there was two types, one that used ATF and another that used a green type of fluid which was thinner, the crap fluid wont help so i'll change that out first and give it a good bleed, see if it improves and then i'll inspect all the suspension components for any issues.

I have joined the forum, seems ok with some good info.


Pretty certain there is no LSD, they isnt huge amounts of torque steer, it just struggles to put the power down but the tyres are well past their best.

Richard, might be best you warn your mate of my sarcastic tone in case they try and remove me from the forum

[xantia_v6]

Re the cooling issue:

I have seen similar symptoms on old Jags, particularly V12s. The factory put a can of Barrs leaks into the cooling system to reduce warranty claims for minor leaks, recommending the addtion of another can with each coolant change (this practice continued from the 60s until the mid 90s). Over the years the product would settle over the internal surfaces, particularly the radiator, but the movement of coolant would erode away that surface, reaching a sort of equilibrium. Unfortunately, it leaves the radiator semi-blocked, just adequate for the typical driving conditions of that car, but inadequate for extra cooling load required for spirited driving, hot weather etc. The only cure is a new radiator core.

[XantiaMan]

The thermostat has restored normality, gauge sits bang on half way, maybe a tiny fraction under, if you stop in traffic the fan will come on low speed for about 30 seconds , the gauge doesnt move at all during all this.

Bit of a relief! Was expecting it to be something worse. Would like to get the 90 stat or even an 87, will see how cold it gets this winter.

Here tis -



I'm convinved its sitting too high at the front, its had replacement Bilsteins so maybe they are the wrong pan height, something else to check.

[CitroJim]

Tell you what Gareth, your old Monty estate was a real looker up against your new Ovlov...

Just pop under, give the roll corrector linkage a quick tweak and all will be well with the ride height...

EDIT: sorry, wrong suspension system

What's these Bilsteins and pan height things you speak of? It makes no sense to a Citroen owner...

[DickieG]

Tell you what Gareth, your old Monty estate was a real looker up against your new Ovlov...

"Calling Specsavers"

[KP]

It does look about 10-20mm too high Gareth

Good work on the Thermostat, at least it was an old school one and not one of the more modern ones used by most these days that are part of a flow diverter or such like near the pump

[Citroenmad]

It does look too high at the front, they don't usually sit right up there.

Is the tracking toeing in? Depending on suspension type a toe in can raise the car when driving forward and pull it down when reversing. Probably an odd suggestion

If its hand new springs I wonder if they are the correct ones. Have you checked the tracking yet?

[XantiaMan]

I've only had it since Saturday It does have a tendency to track to the left, i suspect its toeing in a bit, i will check the part number on the shock, the springs were not changed so its likely the seat pan height is incorrect.

The leather is very grubby and the drivers seat in particular is very worn, i've had to resort to using a nail brush and Autoglym interior cleaner to get into the grain, it is working and thanks to the tough leather, is looking a lot more respectable.

Definitely a running project that should respond quite well, just well chuffed its running excellent now, then i drove the Mondeo for the first time in over two weeks, reminded me just how nice the whole package is, it blows the Volvo into the weeds

[XantiaMan]

Tell you what Gareth, your old Monty estate was a real looker up against your new Ovlov...

Hate to say it Gareth, but for what it's worth I tend to agree with Jim

Time has not been good to the aesthetics of the car, looks really dated to me but hey, what do i know about cars, absolutely nowt in comparison to your good self other than I know what I like and that doesnt do it for me looks wise

I didnt buy it for looks Most people think Citroens are ugly.. Then again i still have a Maestro so most would argue i have no taste at all!

[XantiaMan]

Most people think Citroëns are ugly..

Not me, and the majority of the good people here

Not me either, i always loved the look of the Xantia. The Volvo is just your classic Estate car, once its cleaned up, wheels refurbed and lowered slightly, it should have a better stance.

[CitroJim]

Well, I actually like the looks of the Maestro a lot and I have a very soft spot for the MG version... A bit of a Q car really...

And yes, very partial to the looks of the Xantia too...

[XantiaMan]

An update!

First of all, its had a new set of tyres. Kumho KU39's in 205 55 16, Y rated and a higher load too, this has changed the whole driving experience, the old ones were perished and out of shape on the back, and the fronts were very scrubbed off due to the tracking being a mile out.

The tyres were £220 delivered from Camskill, not the best in the world but its not a track car!

Sits a lot better too, i need to get rear mudflaps, and i am going to get it lowered 40mm on Apex springs, new rear shocks, the fronts are recently replaced.







It needs the bumpers painting, considering getting replacement ones first and prepping them as these are in poor shape, then i need to do the wheels, tidy the interior, machine polish... so much to do!

The brakes needed much attention, although they worked ok, the rear discs were partially corroded, and to make matters worse, the handbrake seized on and when it did release, took out the linings, so out with the old, in with the new -



I picked up the discs, pads and shoes for £70 all in, Mintex so good quality. Fitting was straightforward, unlike the front...

I had the very simple task of replacing the OSF brake pipe, which for the past 6 years had been given an advisory on the MOT, it had perished at the usual point next to the caliper.

The hose to pipe fitting was completely welded together, i tried everything except heat to shift it, used the correct spanner, plus-gas, drilled the hose ftting, froze it, when the pipe started to twist slightly it was game over, i had to cut the old union off and flare the pipe fresh, total nightmare of a job.

Then i had to bleed it. And yes, the bleed nipple sheared off, so rather than mess about, i purchased a recon caliper for £54, as used ones were £25-30, it wasnt worth messing about.



I replaced the droplink whilst i was there, as the boot was split and showing signs of wear and the occasional knock.

Moving along, i had the fuel filter on the list to be changed, its a shame that previous owners didnt, just look at the state of it!



Some equally brown looking s**t came out of it too, must of been 8+ years old i reckon, took a good 20 minutes to remove from the rusted bracket, never simple is it??

I'm pretty impressed by the tyres so far, they have a nice tread pattern too -



Finally, an engine bay shot -



All nice and standard for now, just a Powerflex bulkhead bush to be ordered as the original is split and causing too much movement.

[Citroenmad]

It seems to be coming along nicely Gareth. The tyres make a huge difference to its looks, a much better height now.

The state of that fuel filter! Can't have been changed for a number of years.

So your enjoying Volvo ownership then? How are the pipe and slippers treating you?

Seriously, I do quite like Volvos

[DickieG]

Is the steering issue now sorted Gareth?