Search found 144 matches

by phil480
Wed Mar 03, 2021 12:20 pm
Forum: Wheel suspension and Steering (60)
Topic: Rear Trailing Arms : Overhaul
Replies: 11
Views: 6448

Re: Rear Trailing Arms : Overhaul

This may be a weird question. Regarding the voided trailing arm bushes, is there a particular orientation for them to go into their bore? For example, the voids in a horizontal alignment or vertical? Or does it not matter?
by phil480
Tue Mar 02, 2021 4:26 pm
Forum: The secret life of a 480 owner...
Topic: My 480 GT
Replies: 43
Views: 12414

Update, March 2021

I haven't posted for a while so I thought I best get an update in. Some progress at last, over the last couple of weekends I have got the rear beam removed with a lot of help from my father in law. We have cleaned up the beam, panhard rod and trailing arms, and he has managed to fabricate some new s...
by phil480
Fri Jan 22, 2021 6:56 pm
Forum: The secret life of a 480 owner...
Topic: My 480 GT
Replies: 43
Views: 12414

Re: My 480 GT

Sounds as if the Volvo people are going for perfection rather than being realistic about the age of the car. Brake disc back plates aren't an MOT item as far as I know - I suppose if there was a risk of a bit breaking off and getting caught in the brakes that would be an issue but otherwise... I'd ...
by phil480
Fri Jan 22, 2021 6:53 pm
Forum: The secret life of a 480 owner...
Topic: My 480 GT
Replies: 43
Views: 12414

Re: My 480 GT

Especially as the car is probably older than all their "mechanics". You mean, "Diagnostic technicians"? Maybe that is a bit harsh :? :rofl: I did get the luxury of driving a new XC40 R Design with all the gadgets on. Very nice to drive, but it's like a bloody spaceship and does most of the driving ...
by phil480
Fri Jan 22, 2021 2:10 pm
Forum: The secret life of a 480 owner...
Topic: My 480 GT
Replies: 43
Views: 12414

Re: My 480 GT

Okay, it has been a while since I last posted here. Unfortunately, it's not good news. I have a neighbour who is a bit of a Volvo enthusiast, so he was delighted to see a 480 parked on the street. Turns out he works at the local Volvo dealership, and was able to get me a very good price on a full se...
by phil480
Fri Jan 22, 2021 1:23 pm
Forum: Parts, Accessories & Brochures
Topic: Parts Required - Rear Suspension Beam
Replies: 11
Views: 1122

Re: Parts Required - Rear Suspension Beam

Phil, pretty sure I can help you out with an ICV at a non-"silly ebay price". I'll PM you... David Thanks David! I have replied to you. Regarding the rear beam; consider if it is wise replacing a 26 year old beam with another 26 year old beam. The spring seats are easily fabricated. There is a thre...
by phil480
Thu Jan 21, 2021 1:00 pm
Forum: Parts, Accessories & Brochures
Topic: Parts Required - Rear Suspension Beam
Replies: 11
Views: 1122

Parts Required - Rear Suspension Beam

I am after some parts to get my 480 GT through an MOT and back on the road. Most importantly, I need a new rear suspension beam and spring holders (spring mount has broken on mine). Idle Air Control Valve - I can see some on ebay but thought I'd ask if anyone here has a good one I can buy. There are...
by phil480
Mon Dec 07, 2020 11:52 pm
Forum: Cars For Sale / Wanted
Topic: 1994 GT - eBay.
Replies: 33
Views: 4622

Re: 1994 GT - eBay.

GCooper wrote:
Sun Nov 29, 2020 7:55 pm
Apparently there are only 14 left on the roads, anyone here own one of the GTs?
I think my recent purchase will have put that count up +1 (mine was SORN). I think the one you have bought popped up on eBay the same day that I picked mine up (also eBay).
by phil480
Mon Dec 07, 2020 11:40 pm
Forum: Electrical system (30)
Topic: Ignition fault, car not starting
Replies: 12
Views: 2924

Re: Ignition fault, car not starting

Thanks all. What I really should do is take the fuse out again and see if it replicates the problem. Boot hatch wiring does need attention as the cables are damaged. I had managed a bit of a repair to at least keep the wires separated and prevent any shorts. I've haven't got this sorted properly yet...
by phil480
Mon Dec 07, 2020 2:04 pm
Forum: Electrical system (30)
Topic: Ignition fault, car not starting
Replies: 12
Views: 2924

Re: Ignition fault, car not starting

Update: Fixed, and it was such a simple issue that I really should have found earlier :wall: Seems that it was just a blown fuse that I overlooked initially. It was fuse 9 that had blown (marked Wiper Motors via CEM). I originally didn't check this because I could see that the wipers were working. A...
by phil480
Thu Dec 03, 2020 3:35 pm
Forum: Electrical system (30)
Topic: Ignition fault, car not starting
Replies: 12
Views: 2924

Re: Ignition fault, car not starting

Hello Phil I also recently purchased a GT and had similar ignition issues. When you go to start the car is it turning over at all or literally no noise at all? Mine was driving around nicely then i left it after a short drive then couldn't start it again although the engine would turn. I had no spa...
by phil480
Thu Dec 03, 2020 2:19 pm
Forum: Electrical system (30)
Topic: Ignition fault, car not starting
Replies: 12
Views: 2924

Ignition fault, car not starting

Hi all, I appear to have a fault in my ignition system somewhere. I'm hoping the weather isn't going to be too wet this weekend (not looking likely though) so I can start diagnosing the problem. What is happening is, I turn the key and the dash lights up as usual and I hear the rumble from what I as...
by phil480
Sat Nov 14, 2020 10:47 pm
Forum: The secret life of a 480 owner...
Topic: My 480 GT
Replies: 43
Views: 12414

Re: My 480 GT


I actually keep stock of these (along with every type of dashboard bulb!) as as means of trying encourage owners to fix these little jobs!

details here
That's good to know! I'll definitely come to you before visiting the likes of eBay/Amazon.
by phil480
Sat Nov 14, 2020 6:57 pm
Forum: The secret life of a 480 owner...
Topic: My 480 GT
Replies: 43
Views: 12414

Re: My 480 GT

[/quote]

Just one screw missing?


Mine only had one screw holding it on :crazy:

Now has two after some messing around with plasticard :D
[/quote]

:rofl: Sounds like I have a lucky one :D
by phil480
Sat Nov 14, 2020 6:41 pm
Forum: The secret life of a 480 owner...
Topic: My 480 GT
Replies: 43
Views: 12414

Re: My 480 GT

Day 9 of ownership. Today I dismantled the dashboard to get the instrument display out with the hope of fixing the odometer. During dissasembly, I found one of the screws for the dash surround trim was missing. Someone has had this apart before. I also noticed a blown bulb behind the headlamp switch...
by phil480
Sat Nov 14, 2020 5:35 pm
Forum: The secret life of a 480 owner...
Topic: My 480 GT
Replies: 43
Views: 12414

Re: My 480 GT

N/S knocking could be the anti roll bar drop links if it isn't the exhaust, they are easy to change out and are usually 'goosed' at that mileage.... even if it passed an MoT maybe worth a quick check. sub-frame is important though, decent prodding required :-) for what it's worth (against 'proper' ...
by phil480
Thu Nov 12, 2020 10:27 pm
Forum: The secret life of a 480 owner...
Topic: My 480 GT
Replies: 43
Views: 12414

Re: My 480 GT

Day 7 After some heavy rain last night, I thought I'd have a check for water leaks. Sure enough, the boot was a bit damp in the corners behind the light clusters. This didn't come as a surprise. However, I did find that the rear right hand passenger footwell was very wet. Having a quick search throu...
by phil480
Thu Nov 12, 2020 9:52 pm
Forum: The secret life of a 480 owner...
Topic: My 480 GT
Replies: 43
Views: 12414

Re: My 480 GT

How is that reflector held on? That's what's been worrying me the most... I've just popped out to have a closer look. It's not screwed in to anything, I think it's glued on to the original back plastic piece. It looks to be the same colour as the other side, as well as the rubber seal. Not a great ...
by phil480
Thu Nov 12, 2020 9:28 pm
Forum: The secret life of a 480 owner...
Topic: My 480 GT
Replies: 43
Views: 12414

Re: My 480 GT

Such an "eyes-wide-open" write up. I have no doubt this GT was on the cusp and it's fantastic to know it's in the community with someone who knows the score. EW is a Cambridgeshire registration and no doubt its a Cecil & Larter car from either Peterborough or Godmanchester.... both defunct now! Don...
by phil480
Thu Nov 12, 2020 9:12 pm
Forum: The secret life of a 480 owner...
Topic: My 480 GT
Replies: 43
Views: 12414

Re: My 480 GT

Ouch those hind quarter reflectors :shock: You certainly have a job on your hands, but great that it's in enthusiast ownership I also get a knocking noise from mine in exactly the same way, I think it is the exhaust bumping against the tub, as when I had a new one fitted it was doing that constantl...