Just bought a '94 850 glt wagon w/ auto trans. 2 days old.

"clunk" and jerk happen when selecting "reverse" position from "drive," "neutral" or lower gears. Doesn't happen going into reverse from "Park."

Car's always at full stop.

Welcome to 850 ownership (if it's your first!) There's lots of great information here and online sources for OEM parts at great dicount over dealership prices.

Ok, about the clunk, either you or someone else can check the engine mounts. First check the upper engine stabilizer. It's the bushing that has an arm mounting to the firewall. The stock piece is an open black bushing that craps out after a couple of years and allows the engine to rock back and forth excessively. Check it carefully for cracks. If broken, the rocking engine will stress the remaining engine mounts. This one can be replaced with an IPD poly bushing, (lifetime warranty,) in about 45 minutes.

If necessary, the rest of the engine mounts can be replaced with the engine in place but you'll need a jack (and a board to protect the oil pan) for support.

As you're new to the car I'll pass on this unrelated suggestion. Check your coolant expansion tank cap. If yours is grey, replace it with a green one. The original grey caps can distort and cause the system to boil over. Also, if you have access to the car's service history, check to see that the timing belt was changed at 70k. If not, do it now. Same for thermostat. Generally, with cooler weather and winter on the way, do what you can to get ready for months of cold weather. If you didn't have the car checked out by a dealer before buying, try and find a local independent Volvo shop and have them go over it. They'll likely find things that should be addressed and you can decide what you want done.

Good luck,

--
Erwin in Memphis, '95 855t

Is it kind of a metallic, hollow sound that rings a bit? Our 95 850
has always made a sound when going into reverse that sounds kind
of metallic (car was purchased new). We park it in our garage and
I think the garage walls make it easier to hear this sort of thing.

why did you even buy it ????!!!???....2 days ago????!!!???

133k miles
First thing I did was flush ATF...
still does it.
Suggestions?

I haven't noticed a metallic sounds. Seems like it is spinning free for just a second then... It catches... with a clunk! and jerk.


Massachusetts (where I bought the car) has a 30 day policy that allows the buyer to return the car if any undisclosed problems arrise. The problem didn't occur or wasn't detected by my mechanic at purchase. It may only happen once the car (ATF) is heated?

I had this problem with my '95 850 wagon, but it would only do it after the car was sufficiently warm (after highway driving). I took it straight to the dealership (extended warranty work could only be done there) after a long drive, the car made the clunk, the mechanic checked the ATF which was clean. The word then was "the clutches were slipping" and that the transmission had to be replaced. Fortunately with the warranty it was a $100 repair.