Wheels
and Tires:
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Volvo Maintenance
FAQ for 7xx/9xx/90 Cars
Version 5.0
Tire Size.
[What are the largest tires I can mount on stock 15" wheels on a 1992 740?
The wheels are 15x6".] A very low profile option is 225/50-15. A moderate
low profile option is 215/60-15. Both will mount and function with only
minor interference (rubbing between the tire and the control arm with the
steering turned to full left or full right lock).
Maximum
Wheel Sizes. [Query:] I have a 740 Turbo Wagon with 195/60/R15
tires. I would like to know the maximum size of wheels/tires I can use
safely on this car without making any modifications. Does Volvo
have any guidelines for max sizes on the 740?
[Response:] On the 700 you should
be able to go as high as a 17x8 wheel with a 225/35-18 or 225/40-18 tire.
However, this will produce a pretty harsh ride and you will likely experience
damage to tires and wheels from normal streeet driving anywhere there might
be potholes or pavement damage. I have found that 16x7 or 16x7.5
rims with 225/50-16 are a very nice combination of ride, performance, appearance,
and durability. Be sure that any wheels that you buy are the
correct offset for the 700 Volvos. TSW makes several wheels that will fit,
and there are even optional Volvo sport wheels for the 700 series in 16"
and 17" sizes. (very expensive!).
[Response 2:] On my 89 745T with
16 x 7.5 wheels and 225/50ZR16 tires, the front rims come very close to
touching the strut spring perches. There is a slight rub on the fender
liner at full lock I think my wheels, MMIIs, are only 20 mm offset. 25
mm offset, the standard for 700/900s, would help a bit. Before I bought
17 x 8s, I would test fit them in the fronts. I don't think the rears would
be a problem. There seems to be more room back there.
[Response 3:] Actually, 25mm offset
(as opposed to 20mm) would bring the inside of your front rims even closer
to the struts. The greater the offset, the farther inboard your rims go.
I have the Volvo 16 x 6 wheels on my 740 (25mm offset) and they come fairly
close to the strut as well. If these were 7.5 wide, I imagine there might
be a clearance problem.
[Response 4:] The only figures I
have is for the S/V90, but it can take 18 x 8.5" as a max with 225/40R18
as a tire. Don't have the ET value at the moment. Ride comfort is
probably gone, but this sort of wheel already needs a suspension kit for
maximum effect (handling/cornering), which usually already destroys most
of the 'comfort' factor. This sort of wheel/tire combination
(anyting >= 17 inch) really needs to be used on nice smooth roads and highways.
If you have bad pavement where you live, then you should not exceed 16
inch wheels to minimize the chances of damage to the tires and the rims.
Torque
Specs on Alloy & Steel Wheels. [Query:] Is there any
difference in wheel nut torque specs between steel and alloy wheels?
[Response:] There is no difference in the torque requirements for steel
or alloy wheels in Volvos. The difference is the studs. The 240s and earlier
should be torqued to 85 ft-lbs. The 700/900 should be torqued to 66 ft-lbs,
the 850 should be torqued to 81 ft-lbs. [Editor's note: I use anti-seize
on each stud to ease nut removal when changing to or from snow tires.]
[Tip from Counterman Magazine] Wheel
lug bolts should be tightened by torquing to one-half specified value in
a star or criss-cross pattern. The final torquing should be done in the
same sequence to the specified value. The bolt threads should be
clean and free of rust. While it helps to lubricate the threads with light
penetrating oil, never use a lubricant that leaves a heavy oil film or
that contains a friction modifier. Friction modifiers reduce the friction
between the lug nut and bolt and cause false torque readings.
Wheelbearing
Life. [Query:] Readying my daughter's 740 for a long road trip. Bought
the vehicle with 112k - it has 120k now. Shows no overt symptoms of bearing
wear. No noise. Wheels are tight with little play. Should these bearings
be greased/replaced prior to road trip? [Response:] The 700 wheel bearings
seem to last a bit longer than those on the 200 series. There are a couple
of different types. The early ones were similar to the 200 series and could
be expected to last 100K to 200K, perhaps with a cleaning and re-packing
at some point. If the bearing still has grease in it and the grease is
not burned, I would leave it alone. The later 700s use a slightly different
bearing that is installed with preloading. These bearings seem to last
even longer. Again, if still have grease and the grease is not burned or
hardened, etc. leave them alone.
Alloy
Wheel Stuck on Hub. [Query:] In the process of doing a front
brake job on my '86 745T, I find myself unable to get the driver's front
wheel off....no amount of pulling seems to budge it, and I'm no wimp.
[Response:] Loosen the lugnuts some, raise the wheel off the ground
and then loosen the lugnuts a bit more...enough to keep the wheel on the
hub, but not enough to keep it from moving. (1/8" inch is plenty.)
Then *gently* lower the wheel back onto the ground. The weight of the vehicle
will break the bond between the wheel and the hub. Then just raise the
car up again and remove the wheel as normal.
Wheel
Interchangeability. [Query] I am looking for a used set
of 15 x 6, alloy wheels for my Vovlo (91, 740 sedan). I was told by two
Volvo dealers that all I need to find are 15" wheels off of any 700 series
Volvo from 1982 thru 1992. But various sellers of used wheels have
some reference manual called Hollander, and claim that it says I can only
use certain years of the 700 series for the wheels to fit a 91, 740. Who
is right? [Response: Bob] You can use any Volvo 15" wheel from 81-95
excluding 95 960. [Response: Jim Bowers] Suspensions on '95 and later
960s and the S/V90 used a different offset, like the 5 stud 850. Otherwise
any 700/900 15" wheel will fit.
Replacement
Wheel Rims. [Tip from Joe Fernandes] Try http://www.aaarims.com/
for a source of Volvo used and refurbished wheel rims.
Snow
Tire Sources. [Tip from Lee Levitt] See Pat Greer at http://www.dias.net/~greerent/
for Hakkapellita and Nokian snow tires.
See also http://www.tirerack.com
for Tire Rack information and Internet order site.
Volvo
Maintenance FAQ for 7xx/9xx/90 Cars
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