replacing control arm bushings

Volvo s60 24t · Post by **Volvo s60 24t** » 22 Dec 2009, 08:35

I have an 02 S60 2.4t with about 150kmi on it. I had access to a lift last week to take a peek at my exhaust because its leaking, and took the time to get a good look under my car because its the first time I've had access to a lift. I noticed that the front control arm bushings are shot ... one considerably worse than the other, so I went ahead and ordered some. So today or in the next couple of days or so I'm going to have the car up on the lift to replace the exhaust and i want to tackle the control arm bushings too. They dont have to be pushed in with a press do they? They came in yesterday and im just wondering if I can replace just the bushings without disconnecting the strut, etc. while I have it up in the air. It sort of looks like I can just wondering if anyone else has experience with this.

bonus question - since I bought my car there is sometimes a squeak that sounds like its coming from the steering column when turning at low speeds. I've been told its most likely something in the suspension and that you just hear it through the steering column... Wondering if anyone knows if the two could be related... I'm doing the bushings anyway. The sound also happens more often now that its constantly cold, so im wondering if it is related to something rubber that is more brittle when its cold (these bushings, or another)... Just curious if there is anything else hidden underneath that I should be looking at, I looked at all the usual suspects for wear and only saw the control arm bushings looking bad.

Thanks in advance!

wooded · Post by **wooded** » 09 Jan 2010, 15:52

hello, i was looking at the same work, replacing bushings. the consensus seems to be replacing the whole control arm with front and rear bushings installed is a better alternative, although i am not sure you can get quality parts for reasonable cost

DanZ51 · Post by **DanZ51** » 13 Jan 2010, 06:52

I replaced both the Forward and Aft bushings on the front control arms a few months back. If you have access to a large hydraulic press and the right press-plates it's not hard.

I have a smaller hydraulic press at home and only a few press plates with it, so I took it to work. The CORRECT press plate is key. The forward bushing looks conventional but is unwieldly trying to hold it in a press. I found a "U" shaped plate that went around the outer (bushing mount) of the arm and cleared the arm itself, a socket will NOT clear the arm. MAKE SURE YOU PRESS THE NEW BUSHING IN WITH THE MOUNT PIN FACING CORRECTLY TOWARDS THE VEHICLE, I marked my arm with a sharpy so I wouldn't screw it up while fumbling around with it on the press.

The Aft bushing, although unconventional, was relatively easy to press in and out.

rbodor3 · Post by **rbodor3** » 13 Jan 2010, 12:49

take the above advice on replacing the CA bushings - use a press. IMHO the easiest way is to completely replace the CA itself with the new bushings already in (volvo OEM).

As far as the squeak it could be a number of things, so I'll list them and you check them out:
- power steering level is low
- strut spring seats are worne/broken (remove top nut, or struts to inspect this)
- could be a result of the CA bushings if they're in real bad shape
- loose components in the front suspension, check everything. If the tie rods were ever done they sometimes loosen up

wooded · Post by **wooded** » 15 Jan 2010, 07:01

Have any of you used meyle front end parts? Control arms or ball joints?
How is their quality?