How To Fix Front Shocks & Fluid Leaks

3998 Views 10 Replies 3 Participants Last post by BHart, Dec 4, 2009

abrogard

Discussion Starter · Nov 23, 2009

I've got two main problems with our good old 1982 244GL - the driver side front shocker thing is buggered and it constantly loses transmission fluid and coolant.

The garage man says $600 all up to fix the shocker thing.

Is that fair enough? Could I do it myself? If I tried I'd have to get some special device, wouldn't I? Would that be expensive? Or is it something you can make up?

And the leaks are an annoyance. They are not great but they are constant. And I don't know where they are coming from. I just thought it might be worth asking if anyone has some ideas of likely places a 244 might be losing small quantities of transmission fluid and coolant regularly - and would those places be easily fixed or should I take it as a sign that I need to ditch the car?

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BHart

· #2 · Nov 23, 2009

$600. for shocks is not bad. 240s have front struts which are more complex than plain old shock absorbers.

Minor leaks are an annoyance but forgetting to re-fill can lead to needless failure. Plus there's also the green cost of spilling into the environment.

While your car is on the hoist in the shop for shocks, have the mechanic check the source of the leaks. Trans fluid may be just a loose cooler line. Coolant leak may be minor but a leaking water pump would be more important to fix.

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BHart

· #4 · Nov 30, 2009

Men are single-minded. Women can multi task.

This might make girls better at trouble shooting since they don't get focused on one problem.

Plus, statistics show men spend a lot of time thinking about sex and get distra............

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BHart

· #6 · Nov 30, 2009

I'll try my best. Is your 240 carb or injection?

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BHart

· #8 · Nov 30, 2009

Problems with rusty fuel lines would be more noticable under load or at highway speed.

You said you didn't hear the pump running when it failed to start. This could just be the relay that powers the pump. Fuel Pump Relay --- The Volvo Parts, Accessories and Performance Specialists Since 1963 That's a problem with intermittent failures; they're hard to trace. Next time it fails, leave the key in the run position, open the hood and tap the fuel pump relay and see if it responds.

Some injected 240s have two fuel pumps, a main pump under the car near the tank and a primer pump located in the tank. If the in-tank pump fails, it will be hard to start. It will start eventually if you crank it long enough. You would need a fuel pressure guage to monitor what's happening when it's running well and compare it to when things are not.

You said you replaced the spark plugs. If your car has them, did you replace points and condenser in the distributor? If it's newer it could be this Ignition Transistor Units --- The Volvo Parts, Accessories and Performance Specialists Since 1963 or maybe even this Ignition Switch --- The Volvo Parts, Accessories and Performance Specialists Since 1963

It might be easier if it just dies completely, then you will be able to know when you've fixed the problem.

It's been said that women have more patience than men. Let's see how you do.

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BHart

· #11 · Dec 4, 2009

Changing shocks means removing the front struts from the lower suspension, compressing the springs with a proper spring compressor to remove them and then changing the inserts or replacing the whole strut. Dont forget to check the top pivot bearing for smoothness.

Yes, it's an expensive repair. If the condition of the car warrants it, why not. If there's lots more stuff to fix, there's other nice cars out there.

This one looks good; http://www.volvoforum.com/volvo-sale/1348-have-sell-my-740gl.html

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