Mrs Toastsmith’s Volvo S40

[Marm Toastsmith]

Just now, GMcD said:

Eeek, I hope Mrs T is ok. 

She’s fine. Thank you!

[Marm Toastsmith]

Panic over… all sorted, car seems fine.

 

[Marm Toastsmith]

Bought some fancy new lightbulbs in an effort to do something about the dreadful headlights. Fitted them and cleaned the contacts while I was at it. The bulbs I removed are possibly original judging from the numbers printed on them but I'm not convinced that there's anything wrong with them. Lenses and reflectors both look pretty clean.

What is possibly causing an issue is that the n/s headlight is apparently loose in the mount (although it seems to generally be happy to sit in the right position) and when I touched one of the adjusters it fell apart in my hands. I'm loath to take it apart and investigate further until I source spares though - the other adjuster looks similarly brittle and about to break.

. @Snake Charmer?

Or I might ask my local volvo guy, he seems to have lots of bits stashed.

[Snake Charmer]

Is it the adjusting clips that have shattered? They are available on Ebay, 3D printed in a better material. 

[Marm Toastsmith]

1 hour ago, Snake Charmer said:

Is it the adjusting clips that have shattered? They are available on Ebay, 3D printed in a better material. 

Excellent will get them ordered.

[Snake Charmer]

28 minutes ago, Marm Toastsmith said:

Excellent will get them ordered.

These are what I ordered.......

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224784915142?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=KWCY6bDRStG&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=UYzPZ-RKQfO&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[Marm Toastsmith]

24 minutes ago, Snake Charmer said:

These are what I ordered.......

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224784915142?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=KWCY6bDRStG&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=UYzPZ-RKQfO&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Mine are shattered on the back, too - actually not sure about the front clip you linked to because I’ve avoided disassembly thus far. Saying that it would make sense if that’s what’s causing the headlight to be loose.

I can’t work out whether the kit below might be the solution - I’d like to replace the entire mechanism really but this looks a different design.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/166340080985?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=aItDB3dDQ9C&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=jw4FDSTTS7W&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[Snake Charmer]

The front ones go brittle and shatter. If you get stuck for the rear ones I have a few lamps in bits

[Marm Toastsmith]

Right... 2 "ilink" ditchfinders fitted to replace the 2 crumbling and ancient tyres, the newer old tyres rotated to the front.

Also had front tracking adjusted, I've been able to feel it pulling to the right slightly, very possibly a result of the recovery operation.

Feels much better.

Was a good chance to have a look underneath. It's as clean as a whistle, and there's no sign of damage from the misshap.

Unfortunately one of the centre trims didn't make it. Gonna try some superglue, they all need a paint too, we'll see...

[CaptainBoom]

9 hours ago, Marm Toastsmith said:

centre trims

I had the same trims and style of wheels on my V40.  I seem to recall that I had the same issue with the split ring retaining clips on one or two of them, but there are some good ones in my valuable parts stash hoard of hopeless stuff.  Would you like me to dig out the better ones and wing them over to you?

I still have a set of those wheels with good tyres on as well, but I know you are miles away.  If you are interested though, I'm sure I can do something.

[Marm Toastsmith]

1 hour ago, CaptainBoom said:

Would you like me to dig out the better ones and wing them over to you?

Yes please! I’ll send a PM.
 

When I just told her Mrs T remarked on what a nice place this forum is. She‘s right. 

[Marm Toastsmith]

Washed it! Then went to the jetwash and blasted years of accumulated crap out from the wheel arches, door shuts, etc.

It's quite a handsome car really. Would look better if I touched in the giffer scrapes.

[Marm Toastsmith]

This is a great car, we've apparently had it for almost a year now and it's been no trouble at all. Just got a clean MOT pass (needing only a CV boot and a bulb). The mechanic I've been using recently is ex-volvo main dealer, and as it's Mrs T's car I got him to service it for good measure...

I love the fact that the 2300odd miles we've done this year is probably the hardest it's worked in its life.

[Marm Toastsmith]