My daily driver is a 300k mile Volvo 240 wagon. The thread about my wheel bearings and also the fact that my girlfriend takes road trips in it with me makes me really serious about safety... What are some must things to check on an older car? I have checked underside (everything short of ripping up carpets which I will do soon) to double check rust, body is clean. I've put the car on Michelin tires. I've replaced front brakes/rotors, rear brakes (brake fluid flush soon at local shop). This weekend I am fixing the e-brake. Rear shocks have been replaced along with many rear bushings. Front suspension really needs struts and mounts. My power steering can sometimes cut out when I'm navigating a tight parking spot... Other than that I'm not sure what to check. I think these cars have U Joints in their steering column that go out, but i'm not sure... I don't think my seats are fully bolted in which should be top of my list..
What can I carry in my trunk to make sure break downs are safe? Cones, flares?
How old are the seat belts?
Appleseed wrote:
How old are the seat belts?
Original, so hmm it's a '90 so 26 years.
trucke
Dork
9/28/16 11:58 a.m.
Seatbelts in B-52's are older than that.
All year carry:
a can of fix a flat
flares
a basic first aid kit
A crank powered flashlight
On trips, bring some snacks and water for use if you get stranded and have to wait 3 hours on a tow truck.
In the winter, carry a spare set of warm clothes and a blanket.
Does it stop? If so you're good
As far as being safe on the road, its brakes, steering, and suspension. It sounds like you already have brakes covered. Make sure the tie rods, ball joints, and bushings are all tight with no slop. Suspension mounting points should be in good shape without cracks or excessive rust.
In the winter I keep an extra pair of boots and a warm coat in case I get in a situation I'm not dressed for.
Large piece of cardboard that you can throw down if you have to change a flat or crawl under the car on the side of the road. Fold in half or thirds to stow out of the way in the trunk or with the spare.
How old is the battery? If it's not new you will want some jumper cables and make sure SWMBO knows how to use them safely.
gearheadmb wrote:
As far as being safe on the road, its brakes, steering, and suspension. It sounds like you already have brakes covered. Make sure the tie rods, ball joints, and bushings are all tight with no slop. Suspension mounting points should be in good shape without cracks or excessive rust.
All of the above are very important. However, TIRES provide the traction to accelerate, steer and stop. Using the correct tires for driving conditions is paramount for safe traveling.
If it's ten years or older I'd wanna replace the brake hoses but your brake guy woulda suggested that while he was at it.
Steering, brakes and suspension, then compression test, rust checkover and damage repair check.
I don't think he was asking about emergency supplies, but here goes.
Dupont tyvek suit and latex gloves.
Petzl headlight.
Hk vp9 (at least 25rds)
Blanket/towel (incase of cold/romance/space travel)
Remedial tool set if vehicle is not trackslut (70% of the fleet are, in those cases cellphone and aaa).
Wintertime adds full freezing temp survival gear (nf snowpants/jacket long underwear, gloves/oakley goggles/ kickass boots, kickass hat). I had a life or death breakdown on the way home from skiing with swmbo. That e36m3 saved our lives.
Appleseed wrote:
B-52s crash a lot less.
If you crash a car hard enough to damage the seatbelts, you are mostly going to get your personal effects out of it and walk/hobble/get wheeled away from it.
