Repairing your own Volvo can be a daunting prospect, especially if your tool crib isn't stocked with the right gadgets. Luckily, it's not a huge investment to properly stock your stash with tools that can unlock the door to most repairs any mechanic can handle at home. Here's some of my favorites and what they're capable of.
1. The Hex Socket Set
Brake jobs would be impossible without this handy little kit. Sure, you can use the set of allen keys you found in your grandfather's basement, but they'll only make life harder if you find a slide pin that just won't budge. Plus, they don't ratchet. A quality set of hex sockets (a 7mm, to be exact) will prepare you for any Volvo brake job that comes your way.
Thinking of replacing the distributor cap and rotor on your Volvo 850? You'll need a 3mm hex socket for that, too.
2. Volvo Strut "Cross-Nut" Removal Tool
Rather surprisingly, I discovered a previous hackjob repair on my car while taking the images for this post. My 850 Platinum was meticulously maintained by the previous owner using only Genuine Volvo parts, so I never expected to find any sketchy repairs on it. It appears that the crafty technician used an air chisel to tighten this nut, rather than the proper removal tool. The wings of the nut were not only gouged out, but bent as well.
Having the right tool in my garage was a huge relief as I was actually able to tighten the nut correctly using an electric impact wrench. If you have a few Volvos in the family, it's inevitable you're going to need to replace struts or a spring seat in the future. A wisely spent $20 has made working on Volvo struts a pleasure for me, rather than a hassle of running around the garage looking for something that will work. (Like a chisel, or a mallet...)
3. Serpentine Belt Tensioner Release Tool
Pre-'99 Volvo owners should seriously consider this tool. I love it. It's one of my favorite tools because it just works and isn't popular on the internet. Well, now it is. CTA's serpentine belt tensioner tool is the cream of the crop when it comes to serpentine belt tensioner release tools. I really like this tool. Honestly, I have no idea why, maybe it's because it was $29. Maybe it's because a serpentine tensioner shouldn't require a special tool at all, and I'm simply justifying my purchase. Regardless, it satisfies my tool craving every time.
Every time I read a DIY that requires serpentine belt removal, there's usually instructions that range from "Insert a piece of wood into the tensioner and turn it with channel locks," to "Insert a quarter into the tensioner and turn it with a vise grip," etc. That's right - durable, American currency. I suppose those could work, yes. Maybe the time spent fabricating a one-time use tool is worth it to some. For me, it's satisfying knowing it just works. It even comes with an accessory tool to hold the tensioner open after you've relieved the tension off the belt.
4. Cam Lock + Cam Cover Press Kit
Now we're stepping into the big leagues. It's a minor investment, but pays off in spades for jobs like front cam seals, head gasket replacement, camshaft swaps, or re-sealing a leaky cam cover. Locking the cams together means they can't spin, and that's vital when the timing belt is removed.
This type of kit is offered by various manufacturers at different price points, ranging from $100 to well over $300 for a dealership-quality set. The CTA Cam Locking Tool Kit is on a product that may only help you for a few specific jobs - but when/if these jobs come up, this kit will be a life saver.
With the crankshaft pulley mark lined up with the oil pump and the cams locked in place, the timing belt can be safely removed without fear of losing perfect-time. From there, the cam sprockets can be removed for seal replacement, or the entire cam cover can be lifted off. (Lift it evenly across the entire cylinder head, as prying up a single corner will crack the cam journals.) For cam cover re-installation, wind the two press-tools into the #2 and #4 (on a 5cyl) spark plug holes, then gently and evenly crank the cam cover back down into position.
