850 Control Arm Fiasco... Replacement Methods and Parts

This isn’t a tutorial, but warns of a few gotchas with getting parts from the dealer or a Volvo parts shop before you start this job. Also, this covers how to remove stubborn bolts from the outboard control arm knuckle. I wouldn’t do this job without at least skimming this topic.

Control Arm Replacement Methods and Parts

powersct » Third day of major work on my wife’s ’96 850 (197K). Got through timing belt, water pump, complete AC overhaul (it’s cold!), and finally went after the control arms because it was eating tires. I thought I saved the easy one for last- no such luck.

Started on the right one and ran into a problem- got the bushing bolts out no problem then went at the bolt that holds the knuckle/ball joint. The nut loosened off bolt ok so I backed off the nut to the end and gave it a whack with the hammer thinking it would just come out the other side so that I could spread the knuckle and remove the rest of the control arm assy.it will not move – then tried to loosen the bolt side- still will not move. So far have broken two Craftsman 13mm sockets- needless to say the bolt is destroyed on both ends now and bent- these will be cut/drilled out tomorrow…the control arm is off as the bottom half of the ball joint is now out of the arm assy.

My question is this- is the male side of this bolt threaded into the knuckle?? (and then the nut closes it around the ball joint?) or should it just slide out. Secondly, what are the specs for this bolt ‘cuz this one (and I suspect the left) are done.

cn90 » The bolt is not threaded, it simply slides in and out.
The bolt is simply rusted in.

Re bolt spec; don’t even think about hardware store bolt and nut, it is not strong enough to handle this job. Get this from dealer. You should have obtained new bolt and nut prior to doing this job.

Best is to:
– Get a propane torch that plumber uses to solder the plumbing and heat the knuckle for about 30 seconds to 60 seconds just to expand it.

– Another option is to use a ball joint separator to remove the bolt:
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-4-quarte … 99849.html