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MOTRS

850 / 850 T-5R / 850R

1991-1997 / Sedan / Estate / Sweden

All 850 / 850 T-5R / 850R problems All workshop issues
Common Suspension and Steering

Front Control Arm Bushings and Ball Joints

Symptoms

Clunking over bumps, wandering steering, uneven tyre wear. You might feel the steering wheel shimmy or the car pull to one side.

Cause

Rubber bushings perish, ball joints wear out. Standard consumables on a 25-year-old car.

Fix

Replace the front lower control arms as complete assemblies, it's easier than pressing out bushings.

Genuine Volvo arms are $150-200 each, aftermarket Lemförder or Meyle are $80-120.

Do both sides.

Ball joints can be replaced separately if you're keen, but it's fiddly.

Also inspect the front subframe bushings and consider IPD's polyurethane inserts ($70) for sharper handling.

Cost mentioned in fix
$150-200 each$80-120$70

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Other known issues

Common Suspension and Steering

Steering Rack Leaks

Power steering fluid leaking from the rack, heavy or notchy steering, whining from the pump.
Common Suspension and Steering

Strut Top Mount Failures

Clunking or knocking from the front suspension, especially over bumps or when turning. You might notice excessive camber or tyre wear.
Common Engine

PCV System Oil Leaks and Breather Box Failures

Oil everywhere, particularly around the back of the engine and firewall. You might see smoke at idle or a rough idle. In severe cases, the turbo oil feed line can blow apart because the crankcase is pressurised like a balloon.
Critical Engine

Timing Belt and Water Pump

The engine suddenly stops. If you're lucky, nothing else happens. If you're not, you've just destroyed pistons, valves, and possibly the head. This is an interference engine.
Critical Engine

Oil Consumption (Turbocharged Models)

You're adding a litre of oil every 1000-2000 km. Blue smoke on startup or under boost.
Common Engine

Turbo Failure (T5 and 850R)

Loss of power, screaming noises, oily exhaust smoke. The car feels gutless and the boost gauge stays flat.
View all 26 850 / 850 T-5R / 850R problems