1999 V70XC Replaced Front engine mount and control arms

[warcraftjunkie]

So, today I replaced the control arms as well as a completely destroyed front engine mount on my V70XC. Thought I'd share the pics of the mount as well as the blown ball joints.

I knew I needed to get in and do the engine mount for quite some time, but there always something more important to do, or some other project around the house, so I just ignored it... Well, when I went under the car to do the control arms, I noticed that the line that travels between the engine and the radiator fan in the front of the vehicle had suffered quite a bit of damage as a result of the sagging engine. If I had let it go much longer I'm certain that I'd be replacing whatever line that is. I'll get a picture of that and share it later.

So, for the engine mount....

As you can see the mount is completely collapsed. I had to get a wood chisel and carve away the rubber to get to the lower bolt!

Once removed I set it side by side with the new one for shock value.

Yes, I'm ashamed.

After placing the new mount in, I moved on to removing the control arms. Since I have four bolt style of control arms, and I was replacing the engine mount, I had to jack up the engine a few inches to get them out. Out was no problem... putting the new ones in required the assistance of my son to turn the bushings just slightly in order to line them up with the frame.

As you can see the ball joint on the control arm was completely shot!

Not just sharing information in this post, but I do have a question. When I went to do the driver side control arm, I had to follow the same process that I did with the engine... but with the transmission. I had to jack it up a few inches in order for the control arm bolts to have clearance to be replaced. I've looked at tons of tutorials and haven't seen any mention of having to do that. I'm assuming this means I have a failed Rear Engine mount? I looked at it while working on that side and it looked good to the eye, but without a new one in hand I had nothing for comparison. Anyone else run into that issue on the driver side?

[JRL]

It would be a good idea to replace that one too

[rmmagow]

I'm betting this feels like a new car now. I did this on my 98 AWD and it was a transformation. Get an alignment too, my new CA's threw off toe (maybe it was bad anyway but....), I used Meyle's instead of factory.

[warcraftjunkie]

Yeah, will be taking it in for an alignment. That's what started this. Bought new tires last week and asked for alignment as well. They came back and said there's no point in us doing it until you get your control arms replaced. I'm thinking of getting their lifetime alignment option for 189.00.... lifetime alignment so long as you own the car...as opposed to their 89.00 one time alignment.

[scot850]

Dealer mechanic told me they have to jack the engine/tranny to access the bolts to remove. Doesn't mean your other engine mounts are necessarily bad. Worth checking though.

Neil.

[deepsouth]

I replaced both of my 1998 V70 AWD four bolt arms last summer (already had new motor mounts) and I had to jack up the motor for both sides.
Eric