94 Volvo 850 T5 - Time to replace rear suspension bushings?

[Volvofan94]

Hey MVS!

Recently I finished replacing worn out front suspension components on my 850 Turbo. This includes new struts, control arms, sway bar end links and tie rod ends. After an alignment it drives and steers like new again! However at highway speeds greater than 60 mph, I have begun to notice the car sways slightly from side to side for a little bit then drives normally. Normal in town driving the car does fine. I'm thinking since the front suspension has all been replaced it may be time to look into fixing worn out parts on the rear suspension. I've been doing some research on replacing the delta end and rear control arm links. Most forums say this repair isn't easy (and the parts are pricey too!).

A few questions I have:
1. Would the delta end and rear control arm links need to be replaced at the same time or can one be replaced and not the other?
2. Is it hard to find the Delta Link removal tool? Is there another way to pull the old end links out?

Thanks everyone!
-volvofan94

[Ozark Lee]

You can do the end links and bushings one at a time but, particularly when you change the bushings, the alignment changes and there is a trip to the alignment shop involved.

MVS has a loaner tool for the end links but I'm not sure of its current status. The alternative to the tool is to melt them out with a torch. If you pay attention it isn't that big of a deal but many people freak out over it due to the proximity to the fuel tank and the brake lines.

PM Matt about the removal tool.

...Lee

[RussB]

A lot of discussion here about links and bushings lately, much generated by me


I'll guarantee that your trailing arm bushings are worn, and most likely would not move to enable the rear to be aligned. My Delta links were very worn as well


https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=64918

[Volvofan94]

Thank you Lee and Russ for the help!

I should do this repair on my car too since they are probably original. When the mechanics did a full alignment they weren't able to get the driver's rear wheel aligned properly because of the rear suspension bushings were bad.

Lee, I will look into the delta loaner tool program and get details from Matt about borrowing it.

[erikv11]

Rear delta link repairs have been much more common this year, this post has a superb description of the repair process using the delta link tool:

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=65148

All three of my cars still have the originals and align just fine, no visible signs of decay etc. so it is not like they are all gone by now, but many are. Including it seems the ones on your car! Road conditions probably have a lot to do with it, as with all suspension/undercarriage parts. Good luck, please do post up your experience, I suspect I may be doing this job down the road.

[abscate]

You guys who have struggled with the delta links are going to kill me.

I popped the car up, drilled the delta links, and they both crumbled into pieces and pulled out with a crowbar braced against lumber on the frame with about 50 pounds force. No oil, heat, or tool.

[erikv11]

Did you install without the tool too? Which car?

[abscate]

knocked them in with hammer, with silicone lube.

1999 T5

[RussB]

You guys who have struggled with the delta links are going to kill me.

I popped the car up, drilled the delta links, and they both crumbled into pieces and pulled out with a crowbar braced against lumber on the frame with about 50 pounds force. No oil, heat, or tool.

Well done!


What I found was that the composite "oval" was worn and no longer held the steel "lollipop" securely. The bushings in my delta links still looked OK.

I said it once, but it should be repeated...the trailing arm bushings are worn out in any and all 850's. I'll also wager that the bolts that go through them are seized up.

[abscate]

Doing both links and trailing arm bushings on this run.

Front end and my infamous growler left front wheel bearing (since JAN 2014) in two weeks.