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When I had my car in for all its front seals, belts, and water pump, they also told me that my left inner tie rod was bad (don't trust dealer inspections done in conjunction with your purchase). I checked on tie rod prices today at the local carquest and I was quote approximately $90.00 for Cam and $120.00 for ZF. Prices like that is what drives one to learn to do these repairs yourself.
However, I'm not quite ready to undertake this sort of thing myself. But, I can save money by buying my tie rods myself. Prices are pretty low at FCP Groton. Here's the trouble. The Rack ID plate is gone. Nowhere to be found on my 1995 940 -certainly not on the driver's side door pillar. 'Though there is a bleached out sticker on the passenger side - indecipherable. Suspicious situation, but what can I do?
After reviewing the FAQ, I climbed under the car (it's raining here, btw eugh).
Looking at the car, the rack boots pinch down to the 14mm tie rod, there's no 1" grommet, so it seems to be a CAM rack with 14mm rods (I measured it). I looked into sources, FCPG and VLV World) are the only suppliers with a decent price. Some places want $90.00 online for the same thing. FCP only sell the inner and outer ends. VLV world stops at 1994 (?) and come in a bit more expensive. I'll probably just pay the local mechnic to install the parts for me.
So here are my questions:
Is my rack ID correct? I'm pretty confident about the ID.
Is the tie-rod end (left) all I need?
Is the FCP aftermarket tie rod end (only one make available) a good quality product?
Should I have both sides done?
Should I have both ends of both sides done?
If so, do the outter ends differ between Cam and ZF? I have a pair of new ends, but I don't know if they are for Cam, ZF or even if it matters? Neither VLVW, nor eBay sellers distinguish on the outter ends, so I suspect that they are the same.
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Six Volvos: all wagons.... 1972 145S, 1976 245 DL, 1983 245 GL, 1986 740 GLE, 1990 740 GL, now a 1995 940. Number 7 (a 1967 122S Wagon) is on the way.... Who needs a sedan, when you've got storage compartments in a wagon?
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VLVWorld ended up having the best price of the tie rod ends and the rods for $16.00 each (vs. 19.00 at FCPG and 25+ for other sources). Both places include the rod itself when you order the inner tie rod end.
I ordered the Cam boots and the Thermostat at a savings of several dollars from FCP Groton. The extra shipping costs were not enough exceed the saving from a split order.
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Volvo #6: all wagons.... 1972 145S, 1976 245 DL, 1983 245 GL, 1986 740 GLE, 1990 740 GL, now a 1995 940...
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In your parts search, try a WorldPac outlet, like
http://www.europeanautomotive.com/
or
http://www.alloemvolvoparts.com/
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Both of those sources quote prices of at least $10.00 more that FCP Groton. Is there a notable quality difference? Both sites imply that they sell the threaded tie rod with their picture, however the descriptions only say "End"
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Volvo #6: all wagons.... 1972 145S, 1976 245 DL, 1983 245 GL, 1986 740 GLE, 1990 740 GL, now a 1995 940...
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Most of my questions are indeed in the FAQ, but under "Suspension" not "Steering"
A bit counter-intuitive imho.
Still, any advice would be appredicated. I want to get my new inner ends ordered as soon as possible.
--
Six Volvos: all wagons.... 1972 145S, 1976 245 DL, 1983 245 GL, 1986 740 GLE, 1990 740 GL, now a 1995 940. Number 7 (a 1967 122S Wagon) is on the way.... Who needs a sedan, when you've got storage compartments in a wagon?
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Dear Repairman Jack,
Good p.m. and may this find you well. To find the rack designator, open the hood, and look for a data plate above the passenger side headlight (USA/Canada models).
The dataplate has two columns, one wide (on the left [towards the fender, as you face the engine]) and one narrow (on the right [towards the radiator, as you face the engine]).
Go to the right hand column. Go to the bottom of the column. The bottom row likely is blank, except for a single digit, at the very end of the row (closest to the radiator).
If the digit there is:
1, the rack is a KOYO
2, the rack is a CAM
3, the rack is a ZF
4, the rack is a TRW.
Source: Volvo, Pocket data booklet - cars: 700,850,900 (1991-1996), p. 6.
Hope this helps.
Yours faithfully,
spook
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Good idea though. I have no idea why the sources tell you to look on the A or B Column (this plate *is* where I found the ID for my old 1986 740). Sadly, no number on the 940. I guess I'll have to rely on my ability to recognize the boot shape.
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Six Volvos: all wagons.... 1972 145S, 1976 245 DL, 1983 245 GL, 1986 740 GLE, 1990 740 GL, now a 1995 940. Number 7 (a 1967 122S Wagon) is on the way.... Who needs a sedan, when you've got storage compartments in a wagon?
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