Chassis Maintenance - Volvo 121 Servicing

SERVICING
Lubrication
Lubrication is the most important procedure in servicing a vehicle. The
cost of lubricant is insignificant compared with the cost of repairs caused
by neglected lubrication.
All metallic surfaces, no matter how finely ground they are, consist of
extremely small uneven points. If two ground surfaces are pressed to-
gether and rubbed, the uneven surfaces will engage in each other and
result in friction and wear. If these two surfaces are separated by a thin
coating of oil, however, the friction disappears and with it the wear.
This is exactly what happens when bearings, pistons and gears in the
vehicle are lubricated. The oil or grease actually prevents the metallic
surfaces from coming into direct contact with one another.
This means that from a purely theoretical viewpoint the metallic surfaces
in a motor vehicle are never subject to wear and it should be sufficient
to lubricate them once. Unfortunately this is not so in practice. The un-
even surfaces are worn down more and more and the minute particles
released contaminate the oil which also becomes partially carbonized.
It is thus impossible to avoid wear completely, but wear can be de-
creased and prevented to a very large extent
lubrication.

Chassis maintenance

To simplify maintenance of your Volvo, the vehicle has been equipped
with ball joints, steering rods and propeller shaft of such a design that
they do not require regular lubrication. This has been possible due to the
fact that points which normally require lubricating have been packed with
very durable grease at the factory and then carefully sealed, thus ob-
viating the need for lubrication.
However, in order to be certain that these parts are functioning pro-
perly, it is necessary to inspect thoroughly their seals and rubber sleeves
after every 10 000 km (6 000 miles) or at least once a year.
Oil should be changed or the oil level checked after every 5000 km
(3000 miles) in accordance with the lubricating chart at the -end of the
book. After every 10 000 km (6 000 miles) the vehicle should undergo
the 10 000 km (6 000 miles) inspection at a Volvo workshop. The meas-
ures taken during this inspection are also to be found in the lubricating
chart.
You should follow the recommendations of the Service Booklet, which
are based on Volvo's own investigations. Use only first-class lubricants of a
well-known make. The
time will increase both the lifetime and reliability of your car.
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