1999 V70 T5 Sway bar Link Replacement with Pix

Post by **abscate** » 11 May 2014, 10:42

Thread to document the replacement of the sway bar links

Symptoms - creaking, groaning, crack on loading the front end. I would occasionally get a crack so loud that heads would turn.

Block, jack and stand,

Front wheels off.

You can probably do this with the wheels on, but I already had to

Tools I used

14, 15 mm wrench, sockets, handle

*** Note my stock link nuts were 14mm hex, the replacement (VOLVO OEM) were 15mm hex
T30 Torx bit for holding the link ball thread while tightening. Good luck loosening with this - its probably toasted
Hammer, chisel for bad nut.
Cutoff grinder with air compressor for bad nut
Needle nose vise grip
Fat Vice grip
Wire brush
PB Blaster
Dental pick for cleaning out Torx 30 hole
Electrical tape - I wrapped the nuts to try and keep them from corroding.

Here is the job. The vertical rod with two ball joints links the sway bar to the strut. The ball joint has a 14 or 15mm nut and an internal TORX 30 screw so you can hold it while unscrewing the nut. All of my Torx stripped out, so I ground one off, and used vice grips on the other three, shown later

Post by **abscate** » 11 May 2014, 10:49

I had to cut the top left link nut with a grinder and finally got it to free from the strut, but it was still frozen on the link ball shaft. I got a needle nose vice grip on the ball area, and then turned the damaged nut off with a fat vice grip.

I think the wheel needs to be off for access if you need to do this.

Post by **abscate** » 11 May 2014, 10:55

Same trick on bottom, tighten new ones using Torx internal screw, being careful to keep Torx bit deep in threads. You can tension the sway bar with a pipe and modest force to line up the link if the wheel is free in the air.

Post by **abscate** » 11 May 2014, 10:57

I wrapped the ends of the link studs with electrical tape to try and keep them from corroding. Time will tell.

SpeedyPete · Post by **SpeedyPete** » 12 May 2014, 12:17

How old are those struts

Post by **mecheng** » 12 May 2014, 13:02

Nice!

You do have some serious rust! I live in the rust belt and my underbody has virtually no rust, I find Volvo's excellent for that. I would use some rust converter and get your car sprayed.
I find the best rust preventative for bolts is anti-sieze.

Post by **abscate** » 12 May 2014, 20:57

Original struts from late 1998. Front end is nice and tight, struts good functionally.

I have a bad wheel bearing on the left side, when I do that I will replace the struts.

Post by **matthew1** » 12 May 2014, 21:50

Nice, Abs. I was going to comment on the rust but mecheng beat me to it.

Scheduled for VRD placement.

Post by **rmmagow** » 15 May 2014, 06:47

What do you think might make the rear of a V70AWD make a similar cracking type noise? I'm pretty sure I've got Nivo's and they seem to still work. Sort of a big "twanging" noise when going over a sharp bump like a speed bump.