Coupla thoughts from personal experience:

If your clutch is getting stiffer than it used to be the cable may be about to break. The previous poster is very correct that the change sneaks up on you; try another Volvo for comparison.

When it breaks, I discovered I could (just barely) drive the car a short distance without a clutch. Start it in 1st gear, match engine load with car speed to shift gears. Be as easy as possible on the transmission.

The last time my clutch cable broke, I put in a Volvo cable, just because I needed a replacement Right Now and there was a dealer nearby. Surprising discovery--the clutch worked a lot easier than with the previous Brand X cable (even when it was new). I think this is an item where it is worth paying the extra money for a Volvo part.

Good luck.

Doug Harvey

I'm working on the same problem. My '86 245 has a very stiff clutch while my wife's '88 240 clutch is very easy to press, even easier than my daughter's Honda. Since the '88 has a new clutch, I assumed that was the reason it was easier to press. However, if your clutch is fairly new and still hard to use, my theory may be wrong. I did put a new clutch cable in my 245. The clutch action is smoother but just as stiff. The old cable's connection to the clutch pedal was hanging on by a thread. One side was completely worn through and the other nearly so. It's a good thing I replaced the cable since it could have let go any time. If you've had a stiff clutch and your cable is old, you should check that connection at the pedal.

Because my clutch chatters a bit when it engages, I believe it is worn and may have oil from the rear seal on it. I will have it replaced soon and we'll see if it is less stiff. I'll post the results here.

Keep in mind that the Honda probably has a hydraulic clutch. These are typically easier to press. Most people like a hydraulic clutch unless it starts to leak. Then you can chase problems with them forever. I had a Jeep with a hydraulic clutch and I had to rebuild the master cylinder about once a year.

Brian
--
86 240GL, 86 740GLE & others

Ditto on the clutch cable, but the Volvo, which has a clutch sized to move a much heavier car and pull trailers, will always be at least 50% stiffer than the Honda.

I'll second that - After replacing the clutch cable, I've nearly put my clutch through the floor! It gets stiff so gradually that you never even notice it.
--
Speed Racer, '83 240 R, '74 164 E, '93 940 OL1 (Manchester, CT)

when you replaced the clutch did you change the cable? If not and you 're interested it's an easy switch, and the cables available at any autoparts store.