There isn't really anything to determine. The belly pan is really cheap
plastic that is designed to fail irrespective of the condition of the
"springs". The cheap, plastic belly pan was Volvo's first attempt at
keeping the owner going back to the dealer. IPD used to sell a thick
aluminum belly pan that would probably outlast the vehicle but they no
longer offer it.
On Fri, 02 Dec 2005 11:48:13 -0800,
"........................................................"
<jbincyberia@cox.nospam.net> wrote:
>>>The plastic belly pan on my 240 came off today, fractured and dragging
>>>on the ground. This is the second time and today had no option but to
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>aluminum belly pan that would probably outlast the vehicle but they no
>longer offer it.
JBincyberia:
IPD still offers an 1/8" thick aluminum belly pan.
They sell for $128 USD and as of today (02 December 2005) are in
stock.
Here's the link:
http://www.ipdusa.com/ProductsCat.aspx?CategoryID=517&NodeID=851&RootID=629
I know it seems pricey....but keep in mind it is that last one you
will ever need to buy.
If I were planning on selling a car I'd buy the $30 plastic unit..but
for me the price is not an issue as my 240 is a '93 and I plan to
still have it 20 or 30 years from now (if I live that long.)
Cheerio,
Doc
........................................................ - 13 Dec 2005 20:03 GMT
> On Fri, 02 Dec 2005 11:48:13 -0800,
> "........................................................"
[quoted text clipped - 35 lines]
>
> Doc
That's good to know, Doc. I was on their site a few days ago and didn't
see it. In the last ten or twelve years, I've had at least six of those
cheap plastic belly pans. It seems that every other oil-change (If I
have someone else do it), they get the bolts just a little too tite and
the plastic cracks where the hole is in the plastic. The plastic ones
are pretty supple when new, but afteer a year or so of driving around
town here, the engine heat combined with the 200 degree reflected heat
from the pavement cooks them to the point where they feel like bakelite.
Shuffle up and DEAL!