Over a period of time during the 60s and 70s, the electrical generator in most cars was replaced with what is called an alternator. So called because of the alternating current which it generates,...
When a radiator fails, often the first thing that comes to mind is, "How much is this going to cost me to fix?" Radiators are not cheap components, and often the labor to replace one exceeds the cost of the part, even if you're doing it yourself. (Time is worth money, even if you're a...
Purchasing an out-of-state vehicle for us New Yorkers involves a very painful aesthetic modification. The front license plate required here not only involves drilling into the bumper, but it's a bug magnet, slightly increases the aerodynamic drag coefficient, and probably doesn't match the color...
Many people seem down on the Nivomat dampener, however when working properly they do an excellent job at keeping everything level on the back of an AWD Volvo. The idea behind the shock is the force of the road pushing back against the shock helps it 'pump up' and reach its specified level. If...
Suppose you wanted to cook yourself a burger. It would make sense to go to the grocery store, buy all your ingredients that you need, then bring them home ready to cook and sit down to watch latest F1 race in Montreal. Replacing individual parts can be like putting duct tape on yout car: its...
Buying a used vehicle always involves a few surprises. Luckily, my recent purchase of a 2004 Volvo C70 didn't involve major ones, and I knew the car wouldn't be perfect. With a bad transmission and cupped (feathered) tires, I knew something was amiss with the steering or suspension, so it was...
Continuing on the path to keeping my old Volvo on the road, it was a logical step to replace the distributor cap and rotor. While I was at it, I thought I might as well replace the seals. How hard could it be? Well, in most cases, you never want to start your car project thinking that. But in...
Brittle plastic is the inconvenient truth of 90's Volvo ownership. Whether it be broken dashboard mounts, interior trim pieces, or turn signals, nothing is safe from shattering in the palm of your hand. In particular, "Little fender blinkers" are quite easy to break, and quite difficult to find...
I replaced every single component in my A/C system in my Volvo XC60 and my 940 to get them to work. Unfortunately, I learned the hard way when trying to find the root of the problem. If you’re lucky, your A/C system can be very cheap to fix. But the key to this is, you have to know where to look....
HP, CV, HK, CH, KW, and PS are all abbreviated measures of engine output, and without supporting mods or proper preparation they are all meaningless. It's one thing to use speed in a straight line. It's another to do so with the ability to safely control and direct that speed. Many people ask,...