S70, 1998, Front Axle Replacement

VolvoS70Driver · Post by **VolvoS70Driver** » 27 Dec 2009, 12:57

Hi All,
Am taking this long week off to completely re-work the brakes suspension and axles on my 98 S70.

Am putting on new Brembo discs and Akebono ceramic pads front & rear. Should be no problem.

Am putting on Bilstein Touring shocks & struts, shock mounts, strut mounts, bump stops, and boots. Should be no problem.

Am replacing entire front lower control arms with aftermarket model, spring seats, and sway bar links. Should be no problem.

Am replacing entire front axle assemblies with new and am just a little unsure on this one. Any special tools/techniques needed for this ? I searched and found a thread on a different model that made it sound relatively easy but wanted to ask those with experience before I get stuck halfway through the job.

I also figure I will need to get it re-aligned since I am replacing the strut mounts so am figuring on that as well.

I have the luxury of a car lift in my shop so I am hoping to get all this done in about two days.

Thanks for any assistance

Doug

Post by **januwan** » 27 Dec 2009, 13:52

For axle replacement (I am planning to do it after New Year) you will need ball joint separator unless you like hammer

Why do you use Brembo? I returned mine after one months. Get OEM from Darrell (same price and they come with new bolts).
Get a lots of pictures so we all can benefit.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 27 Dec 2009, 15:04

Am replacing entire front axle assemblies with new and am just a little unsure on this one. Any special tools/techniques needed for this ? I searched and found a thread on a different model that made it sound relatively easy but wanted to ask those with experience before I get stuck halfway through the job.

The driver's side axle will fight with you. It is retained with a circlip that needs to be popped out of a groove before the axle will release. I have found that using a cold chisel as a wedge, tapping it from below behind the inner C/V joint off to the side so as to not run the chisel into the axle, will pop the axle assembly free.

The passenger's side is a piece of cake, once the carrier bearing is removed it will just slide right out.

...Lee

Post by **confused_al** » 27 Dec 2009, 15:09

VolvoS70Driver wrote:Am replacing entire front lower control arms with aftermarket model, spring seats, and sway bar links. Should be no problem.

Will be problems. These should be either OEM or Ipd heavy duty (spring seats and links) ones.

VolvoS70Driver · Post by **VolvoS70Driver** » 27 Dec 2009, 16:02

Spring seats are oem. Sway bar links are aftermarket. Those are relatively cheap so if I have problems I can come back and replace them.

I had thought Brembo was a reputable brand. If I have problems, I can always come back and swap them as well.

Otherwise, sounds like I have the tools to cover things. I also bought new fasteners for some of the critical connection points so I think I should be in pretty good shape.

With 150k miles, I am wanting to get another 50-100k on it but want the ride to be good as well. It's pretty rough and noisy right now. Every bump causes a clunk to occur somewhere in the suspension. And I'm not looking for a super sporty suspension, rather a quiet comfortable ride. After all this is done I am goingto start the long dreaded search for that perfect tire that provides good mileage, is very, very quiet yet has decent all weather traction. (A different post)

Am also going to try and replace the seals on the turbo oil return to fix that annoying little oil leak that drips onto the exhaust and permeates the cabin at stop lights.

I will indeed take many photos as I go and get with whomever I need to to post them appropriately.

Thanks to all the replies

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 27 Dec 2009, 16:54

I too thought Brembo was good, but apparently they have started making their parts in China and they are not as good they were before. I just started putting on new rotors as well but I'm using cross drilled Zimmermans. The rotors are easy to do although I couldn't do the rear ones today because I rounded off an 11mm bolt on the left rear caliper and couldn't finish removing the caliper.

Post by **mrealtor** » 29 Dec 2009, 09:28

I am not an expert, but, after several sets of tires and much humming disappointment, Michelin are the best for that smooth, Quiet, comofrtable ride and they don't wear out too quickly.....

Post by **E Showell** » 29 Dec 2009, 11:02

There's a reason OEM lower control arms are about 4X price of aftermarket. Using aftermarket here is false economy.