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First off, thanks for the rapid responses. This is a good community to be a part of. I've been sitting in Volvos since my dad bought a NEW '72 145E two weeks before I got my drivers license,(do the math)! I've owned every Volvo carbed, but the elusive P1900, and have 8 older Volvos (mostly split window PVs). I even have a Sugga (brag, brag). But, as I mentioned, this 220 is my everyday beater, bought it from a boneyard for $300, dropped in an extra engine, and started driving. So, I'll admit to a certain (irrational)disinclination to put a bunch of time and money into it. It's a paradox, I know. I'll put tons of time and money into cars I hardly drive, and practically ignore the one I drive all the time. The shoemaker's children go barefoot!
To answer some of the questions and suggestions;
- I'm in San Diego, so not much ice, but a lot of 65mph+ freeway driving. "Hog on ice" was a phrase for the feeling of "squirmyness" which really describes the handling. Remember the Tom Waits song? Since it is a sort of pick up, I do usually have some junk in the back, maybe 30-50lbs., (old bumpers, a dead starter, or two; plus the spare tire, full tank of gas, etc, etc.)
- I just looked and the tires I have on the car are actually 195x65x15, NOT 185x65x15, Michelin MXV4 Plus Energy (whatever that all means). My suspicion of the tires was because when I stood next to the rear tire, and pushed against the side, the whole car sort of oozes sideways, just as if the tires were really underinflated, and the sidewalls were paper thin. But, I usually have had them at around 35+lbs. To confess, I probably have driven them beyond their "junk by" date.
- The car is sort of rough looking, but it is complete (all the chrome, etc.). I like having the original wheels for the looks, the original hubcaps, and trim rings. I know that in Europe widened slotted wheels are readily available, but not here. I'll spring to get mine widened, but I'd like to know that it will really help the problem.
- The KYBs aren't my first choice either, but Bilsteins aren't in the budget,
the ones I have are reserved for the '69 1800, and new ones, well, I do like to eat, and take the girlfriend out once in a while! I know, priorities. Hey, how about the idea of helper springs, or maybe air shocks?
- The car came (from the boneyard) with this big 'ol sway bar on the front, and nothing on the rear. I just assumed that with a big one on the front and nothing on the rear, it was somehow overstiffened, or unbalanced, or somesuch.
So, that's why I replaced the big one w/ an original size. Maybe I was wrong.
- I have also rebuilt the front end last summer; new upper and lower 'A" arm bushings, idler arm, tie rods and the steering box were overhauled. Ok, I didn't go out and get it aligned, but I promise I will. I guess that I thought the 122 wagons to be such tanks that a lot of fine tuning wasn't necessary. Maybe I was wrong.
- Since this is a later 220, the Panhard rod is different than the standard, or older one. This translates as a bigger "eye" where it attaches to the underbody. That is where I installed a red Urethane bushing. Man, I thought that the new rear springs were going to solve a lot of this!
- So, back to the big issue; I'll admit to being cheap, what honest (older)Volvo owner isn't? But, I also understand that you get what you pay for. I'll spend the money, but I want to solve a problem, not just throw money at a situation. Anything else I overlooked?
- so, onward through the fog,...
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