clutch advice

[testhdd]

98 V70. The clutch has recently been 'howling' at me when I let it out
under stress (accelerating quickly or starting up a hill). It sounds
like a walrus almost, and it's pretty loud. It's had the factory
clutch in it for 163,000 miles so I'm pretty sure that's what I need
to replace.

How hard is a clutch to do in this car? I was talking to a mechanic a
while ago and I think I remember him saying it was a massive pain.
I've done all the maintainence in this car for the past 30,000 miles
(when I bought it from my parents) but that's only been oil, an axle,
a ball joint, brakes, plugs, and the exhaust manifold. I'm sure if I
get the transmission out I can take care of it, but do you think it's
worth it just to take it to a garage?

Thanks.

 

[Glenn K]

98 V70. The clutch has recently been 'howling' at me when I let it out
under stress (accelerating quickly or starting up a hill). It sounds
like a walrus almost, and it's pretty loud. It's had the factory
clutch in it for 163,000 miles so I'm pretty sure that's what I need
to replace.

How hard is a clutch to do in this car? I was talking to a mechanic a
while ago and I think I remember him saying it was a massive pain.
I've done all the maintainence in this car for the past 30,000 miles
(when I bought it from my parents) but that's only been oil, an axle,
a ball joint, brakes, plugs, and the exhaust manifold. I'm sure if I
get the transmission out I can take care of it, but do you think it's
worth it just to take it to a garage?

Thanks.

It is not that simple you need to lower the sub frame support the engine
& be able to lower the engine as needed to have the gearbox drop down
enough to clear the engine compartment all told this is approximately an
all day job with the right tools plus once you remove the gearbox &
remove the pressure plate & the clutch disc then you need to remove the
flywheel to have it machined so the clutch disc has a smooth surface to
match up with personally being a Volvo technician i would not recommend
this job be performed unless you are very technically inclined I do not
like to do this repair I would rather replace a window cassette on a
early C70 before doing a clutch on a FWD car
Glenn K
Volvo Certified Technician 2008
ASE Certified Technician 2008

 

[Randy G.]

98 V70. .......

How hard is a clutch to do in this car?

As a long time shadetree mechanic (since the late 60's) who has done a
number of clutches and much more, if someone had to ask me if they
should/could do a clutch on a FWD car, my immediate response would be,
NO! It's the old adage, if you have to ask, the answer is no.

My '90 240 is getting near the end of the clutch cable for adjustment,
and I am assuming that the clutch's life is near its end (with 210,000
on it) and compared to your car, I could change the clutch out in my
car while holding a beer.

...I never liked fwd cars (never owned one, and hopefully never will),
and having to change a clutch in one is fairly high on the list of
reasons why.

But, if you feel brave, pick up the repair manual and look through
that process.. I think you will see why.
__ __
Randy & \ \/ /alerie's
\__/olvos
'90 245 Estate - '93 965 Estate
"Shelby" & "Kate"

 

[Roger Mills]

In an earlier contribution to this discussion,

98 V70. The clutch has recently been 'howling' at me when I let it out
under stress (accelerating quickly or starting up a hill). It sounds
like a walrus almost, and it's pretty loud. It's had the factory
clutch in it for 163,000 miles so I'm pretty sure that's what I need
to replace.

How hard is a clutch to do in this car? I was talking to a mechanic a
while ago and I think I remember him saying it was a massive pain.
I've done all the maintainence in this car for the past 30,000 miles
(when I bought it from my parents) but that's only been oil, an axle,
a ball joint, brakes, plugs, and the exhaust manifold. I'm sure if I
get the transmission out I can take care of it, but do you think it's
worth it just to take it to a garage?

Thanks.

I agree with others that it's not an easy DIY job.

If it's only doing it occasionally, I'd suggest ignoring it - it's unlikely
to be fatal.

I had a 99 V70 (Diesel) whose clutch started gowling intermittently after
about 40,000 miles. I kept it for another 4 years after that, and never
changed the clutch - I just put up with the occasional growl. When I traded
it in for a new one, the dealer didn't even notice!
--
Cheers,
Roger
______
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[James Sweet]

As a long time shadetree mechanic (since the late 60's) who has done a
number of clutches and much more, if someone had to ask me if they
should/could do a clutch on a FWD car, my immediate response would be,
NO! It's the old adage, if you have to ask, the answer is no.

My '90 240 is getting near the end of the clutch cable for adjustment,
and I am assuming that the clutch's life is near its end (with 210,000
on it) and compared to your car, I could change the clutch out in my
car while holding a beer.

..I never liked fwd cars (never owned one, and hopefully never will),
and having to change a clutch in one is fairly high on the list of
reasons why.

But, if you feel brave, pick up the repair manual and look through
that process.. I think you will see why.
__ __

The one exception that I'm aware of is the classic Saab 900. FWD, with
the easiest to replace clutch I've ever seen. The engine sits on top of
the gearbox which has the oil pan cast into it and power is transmitted
from the clutch to the gearbox via an enclosed chain drive so the clutch
is right out on the front, you don't even have to remove the gearbox or
engine.

 

[Randy G.]

The one exception that I'm aware of is the classic Saab 900. FWD, with
the easiest to replace clutch I've ever seen. The engine sits on top of
the gearbox which has the oil pan cast into it and power is transmitted
from the clutch to the gearbox via an enclosed chain drive so the clutch
is right out on the front, you don't even have to remove the gearbox or
engine.

I remember sitting in a VW dealership waiting for parts. They also
sold Saab (talk about gluttons for punishment). I was watching a
mechanic in the shop working under the hood of a Saab, dividing his
time fairly equally between wrenching and swearing. He called them
"Slaabs."

Mom had a '89 Ford Taurus. I drove it a couple of times. Hated it.
besides having a POS motor and transmission, my opinion of FWD was
reinforced. My theory is, when do you need the most traction? Going
uphill on low-traction surfaces from a stop. When accelerating on such
a surface, where does the weight transfer? To the rear wheels.

I know that there are fans of this FWD drivetrains, but I have video
of me driving my '90 245 RWD, a few miles in the snow including a
fairly steep climb up my dirt and gravel, snow-covered driveway with
no chains and standard tires. I would still be digging out that
Taurus. Through the climb up the driveway you can hear my wife, who
was in the passenger seat, saying, "Go Volvo!"

__ __
Randy & \ \/ /alerie's
\__/olvos
'90 245 Estate - '93 965 Estate
"Shelby" & "Kate"

 

[James Sweet]

I remember sitting in a VW dealership waiting for parts. They also
sold Saab (talk about gluttons for punishment). I was watching a
mechanic in the shop working under the hood of a Saab, dividing his
time fairly equally between wrenching and swearing. He called them
"Slaabs."

My ex had one that was needing some TLC when acquired, so I've spent a
fair amount of time working on it. Funny thing is I miss that car much
more than I ever missed her. It was the car that opened my mind from
being completely dead set on RWD, I still love my 240, but I was very,
very close to picking up a 900 Turbo a couple years back. It's the sort
of thing where if you haven't spent some time driving one, you wouldn't
know. They're different for sure, but by no means difficult to work on.
Sounds like an incompetent mechanic more so than any fault with the car.
One I figured out the tricks, nothing I ever did on the 900 was any
harder than on a 240, just different. Keep in mind what I say applies
only to the pre-'94 900 series which has a longitudinal engine. The
later GM 900s as well as the 9000's have a more conventional transverse
engine, those are never any fun to deal with.