What actually happens when an alternator stops charging? Does it mean the whole alternator is trash, or can it be fixed? Volvo 850, S70, and even 960 alternators are pretty stout units - I've even heard of one lasting past 400,000 miles. Here's a quick way to reduce the cost of a potential...

The rear end of P80-gen Volvo V70 AWD, R, and 850 AWD models has posed significant hurdles to those looking for a lower, more street-oriented stance. On front-wheel-drive models, taking the rear down a bit is as simple as buying a set of lowering springs and installing them. A few bolts - done....

As winter approaches, you may not think your cooling system should be at the forefront of your maintenance plan. However, an improperly serviced cooling system can wreak absolute havoc on a Volvo when the weather gets chilly. Ben is here to show you how to replace a Volvo 850 thermostat in under...

What's worse than a saggy rear end? You might think it just looks ridiculous, but there are other detrimental side effects of this common Volvo nuisance. As these FWD cars begin to age past the 10 and 20 year mark, an increasing number of weak points start to crop up. For one, the rear springs...

A no-start condition makes everyone's day just a little bit worse. Whether you're trying to get to work, go for a Sunday drive, or just want to get a bite to eat, a dead Volvo is a useless Volvo. Luckily, a Volvo can fail in the most predictable ways. In no particular order, here's some of the...

Volvos are known for their post-apocalyptic reliability. Ask any 240 owner. But, reliability doesn't mean that they don't age and start to fail, becoming less efficient over time. As with most cars that are above 150,000 miles and beyond, they start to consume higher-than-acceptable amounts of...

Whenever I go into the garage to undertake a Volvo repair, lately it's always something I can't look forward to. I've replaced one too many CV axles and alternators to make me want to work on them as a hobby anymore. But every now and then, I'm surprised by how easy certain tasks are, even on...

Over the past few years, I've had a handful of vehicles that all at one point vibrated my teeth out. Whether it be bad luck, bent wheels, or poor balancing jobs - I've seen it all and then some. Maybe I drive too fast (unlikely), or maybe I shouldn't have taken my car to certain tire shops that...

Brake bleeding has never been a particularly fun task. It's miserable; the fluid makes your hands feel weird, it eats away at paint, isn't water soluble, and doesn't even smell good. That, and the usual way of doing it requires two people - kind of inconvenient when you're trying to get the car...

With many European vehicles, adding option packages can almost double the price of a vehicle - anyone who has ever played with Porsche's car configurator can attest to this. Option packages can transform a low end car with cloth seats into a leatherbound concert hall on wheels. Unfortunately in...