1998 S70 Control arm difference

mar601 · Post by **mar601** » 15 Apr 2014, 09:12

My car has 130K on it, so probably good for at least another 70K and has served me well -- rebuilding the front suspension and was wondering if there is really a big difference on these control arm parts --

http://www.eeuroparts.com/Parts/PartRes ... trol%20arm

There are 3 to choose from starting at around 40 bucks, 90 bucks and 145 bucks.

Any help on this?

Should I look at the car or can someone tell me if I have the 2 bolt or 4 bolt? It's a 98 S70 T5.

Thanks !

Post by **deepsouth** » 15 Apr 2014, 09:30

If you look at where the control arm bolts to the frame you can easily tell which arm you need. That said, I believe yours is two bolts (my 1998 S70 is two bolts but my V70 is four).
Eric

Post by **cn90** » 15 Apr 2014, 09:56

1998 is 2-bolt type. Choices:

1. Lemforder is OEM, about $100/each.

2. Someone told me MOOG is good too, about $60/each.

- LEFT MOOG RK620193....$55 on amazon
- RIGHT MOOG RK620194....$55

SpeedyPete · Post by **SpeedyPete** » 15 Apr 2014, 15:46

Hey cn90 here is my 2 cents worth: I am running FCP Control Arms (32.00 each) and Meyle HD bar end links (16.00 each) with great success (40 K miles) and still going strong. Also KYB Struts and Shocks. I know their are others that would Poo-Poo this but the fact of the matter is my car is dependable with these and the ride is very good. So for around $100.00 you can keep your car on the road if you DIY. If I had to replace these I would use the same parts. Regards, SpeedyPete

Post by **JRL** » 15 Apr 2014, 16:06

Poo Poo

Post by **scot850** » 16 Apr 2014, 00:02

I can't speak to others opinions, but having used a variety of control arms on 850//v70's I have gone back to using OE only. If Lemforder are OE then go wit those. NEVER use URO!! I have had some control arms (aftermarket) last as little as 6 months and I don't drive my cars hard.

You could have 2 or 4 bolt. Stick your head under the car and look. 2 bolt are mounted on the outside of the chassis rail on the wheel side, with the bolts running parallel with the rail. 4 bolt run through the rail with the bolt heads on the inner side of the rail.

Neil.

Post by **JRL** » 16 Apr 2014, 06:01

Lemforder or OE (same thing without the "blue box")
Agreed, NEVER use URO unless you want to replace them again within 10K miles!

mar601 · Post by **mar601** » 16 Apr 2014, 07:07

This is why it pays to ask -- thanks very much. I do need to watch my budget but will take your advice on the Lemforder at 118 each.

Forgot to ask about a strut kit recommendation. Not doing work myself but he'll let me supply parts. need control arm, sway bar link and strut kit, right? Will that cover it all for a front suspension rebuild?
Notice that Eeuroparts has better prices than the FCP I just went to for the Lemforder price -- it IS a concern, but I don't want to buy crap.

This strut kit for example at Eeuroparts much less than what I see at FCP --

http://www.eeuroparts.com/Parts/52250/S ... 102K10047/

Good, bad, indifferent? Thanks.

Post by **rmmagow** » 16 Apr 2014, 07:41

Isn't FCP now offering a life-time warranty on all their parts? I thought I remembered them making a big deal of it a few months ago. For what it's worth, I bought the Meyle HD 4 bolt kit for my V70 from them and they are holding up well after a very tough winter and 50K miles.

Post by **erikv11** » 16 Apr 2014, 09:02

mar601 wrote:This is why it pays to ask -- thanks very much. I do need to watch my budget but will take your advice on the Lemforder at 118 each.

Forgot to ask about a strut kit recommendation. Not doing work myself but he'll let me supply parts. need control arm, sway bar link and strut kit, right? Will that cover it all for a front suspension rebuild?
Notice that Eeuroparts has better prices than the FCP I just went to for the Lemforder price -- it IS a concern, but I don't want to buy crap.

This strut kit for example at Eeuroparts much less than what I see at FCP --

http://www.eeuroparts.com/Parts/52250/S ... 102K10047/

Good, bad, indifferent? Thanks.

Bad, very bad, because of the URO brand strut mount.

My recommendation
- Meyle HD control arms (Lemforder may be better I agree, but Meyle are working very well for people. And I too have been burned by cheap control arms and never want to be again, been around the block on this one).
- Meyle HD end links
- These strut mounts and spring seats, the spring seats MUST be OEM or IPD HD: http://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo-s ... eatkit-oem
- You have some options on the struts. Some people like Monroes for $73 each at Amazon, your car shipped with Sachs which are like $90 each and they are a very good choice for smooth ride (or go with http://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo-f ... -vfsk3-oem).
- The bump stops and dust boots are probably worn out. eEuroparts is usually cheapest for those.

You don't need to replace any of the hardware unless it is super rusted out. I stopped replacing front suspension hardware years ago, and my cars have suffered no ill consequences. The old stuff is not as shiny, but it works very well.