It has Volvo embossed in the rubber with a part no. so I checked the parts book - nothing. Tried online - still nothing. Usually if I don't find a number in the parts book I assume it's not for a 480, and we've had 2 940s and an 850, but even so I had a niggly feeling I shouldn't chuck it.
Sent a photo to jifflemon on the basis that he's taken practically everything off one 480 or another and he recognised it straight away - fuel filter bracket. Aha, Sven had a filter change on his last service - so why have we got the old bracket ? Jiff's suggestion was that the new filter had been put on with cable ties - he obviously doesn't know Mr Pedantic ! Anyway, Al had a look and as I suspected there is a proper bracket both ends of the filter:
Checked the service invoice, and found 'unacceptable play on the filter bracket - sourced replacement from specialist supplier NB no further stock'
So there we have the answer, he's given Al back the old one in case we ever need it for one of the other cars and the message just didn't get to me.
A quick refurb courtesy of a wire brush, pot of Kurust and jiff's favourite 'lashings of POR15' followed by a soak in silicone for the rubber.
Now bagged, labelled and nailed to the garage wall