vvspy.com - volvo 300 questions and answers

This Q&A (Questions&Answers) is made by people from the alt.autos.volvo newsgroup and brickboard.com. If you recognize something you wrote and you feel offended, mail me and I'll remove it or I'll put your name under it. Sometimes I change a sentence but I never change the content.

(Tires, rims and brakes) Questions:
Main Q&A

Is it possible to place 195-tires under a Volvo 360 ?

Just got 2 new tyres for the GLT alloys (5.5in x 14 rims)...Goodyear NCT 3. The results were terrible, the car feels like its got floppy sponge tyres at the back now. The first time out with high expectations I nearly lost it on a dry country road, it was just so unstable. I wanted NCT2 that I have used for years (after upgrading from NCT), but the guy said they can't get them anymore. I got 2 about 6 mths ago for GBP35 ea... very good value. The new tyres are wider on the ground and buldge out from the rim much more than the NCT2, this make the sideways stiffness much lower. They have also added the word 'touring' in large letters and made the 'NCT3' very small. Is this a result of market research, or something to do with their pull out of F1 ? Does anyone have a good replacement suggestion for this model ?

Are there any rims of common european cars that are compatible with the 340 (1987) ?

I have a volvo 360. Try to bleed the front brakes I broke the bleed nipple. I then used a screw extrator but with no luck. How can I remove this screw?

Answers:

Sounds like the next step is to remove the caliper. Yes, I know that is inviting more hardware frustration, but consider this: the extractor may well have introduced a shaving or two into the caliper. It would be *much* easier to fuss with if you can get it to where you (or an experienced mechanic) can work with it. Be sure to cap the brake lines when you disconnect them. I generally use rubber bands to hold plastic bags over the ends.

Probably, if you jack it up enough ;)

From what I can remember you have the 13inch alloys, you get a better improvement by going to the 14inch ones from GLTs, less flex in the tyre wall.

The problem with putting over wide tyres on is the extra flex,.. should look good though. If you want wide tyres I'd suggest 6x14inch aftermarket rims at least with 195s, the Volvo rims are 5.5x14.

However my choice at the moment is GLT alloys with Goodyear NCT2 185x14 60 profil. They are cheap (GBP35 ea) and give good performance, and the rims are original / optional equipment (I'm a stickler for originality as opposed to customisation these days). The problem with 14inch alloys is the inner rim is weak and easily dented causing vibration that cannot be got rid off, you need to spin the rims on a hub to see and deformation before purchase.

I agree that the NCT2's are excellent, I was using them on front on a 480. Time came to replace them recently, and I was also told that NCT2's are difficult to get hold of, however they still advertise them.

Ended up as a choice between NCT3's and some continentals, got the continentals, feels OK. Currently got Avons (383's ?) on the front and the conti's on the back. Avons were perishing a little and had worn 1mm in approx 22,000 mi. thought I'd best give them a bit of wear.

Conti's feel very good, and appear to grip well, even though they are on the back, and that is normally unloaded.

Yep, standard 3 series BWM wheels gives the same dimensions as the 360 GLT alloys ;5.5x14inch. VW look similar but I've never checked them, and tend to use the standard low profile Volvo alloys now, although its difficult to get straight ones.
According to Volvo you're not supposed to fit GLT alloys to 340s but it shouldn't be a problem and a friend and myslef both did to different years of cars (80 and 83), mainly because the wheels were free from the tyre supplier due to BMW owners upgrading to alloys. In those days they were silver but tend to be black now that BMW use plastic wheel trims as standard.
You'll need to fit lower profile tyres (good) either 175/65 14", or 185/60 14". I used to use Goodyear NCT 2 but they've stopped them now and replaced with NCT 3 which have a wider contact area (for the wide look) but are less stiff on the rim.
Sorry didn't make myself clear here. I ment we fitted the BMW steel wheels to 340s. Try a tyre supplier they may have some and be prepared to give them away for free for a tyre sale.