P80 AWD side stay bar bush question?

Post by **scot850** » 08 Nov 2015, 16:49

I have finally got to the point of re-assembling the rear suspension on this long term resto of the rear sub-frame.

I got yet another un-believable shock. I thought there could be nothing else to clean/repair find damaged. But I go to remove the 2 clam shell bushes from the side stays at the rear lover control arm to find major aluminum corrosion going on behind the bushes. Had hell of a time getting the old ones to shift and clean up the oxidised aluminum faces.

Anyhoo, does anyone have a view on if I were to slap some lithium or silicon grease between the bush and the lower control arm bush face? Would that be a no-no? Trying to think of a way to prevent this happening again, at least for a long time! Still trying to think how the moisture got in there in the first place.

Any thoughts or do I re-assemble dry on the bush, but use copper grease on the stay shaft only?

Thanks,

Neil.

Post by **scot850** » 09 Nov 2015, 08:19

Anybody? As you use lube for the front' anti-sway bar bushes (IPS or Energy Suspension), and the rear bushes for the IPD rear anti-sway bar, any reason not to use it on the backs of the clam bushes for the side stay bar for the AWD suspension at the rear lower control arm? I was thinking of even just a very slight smear to help to protect the aluminum of the lower control arm.

Thoughts? Good or bad idea, or should they just be dry as they are rubber and not poly?

Neil.

Post by **Big Will** » 09 Nov 2015, 10:17

Don't think that should be a problem. You can also replace that bushing with a poly one from Super Flex (assuming we're talking about the same bushing). Since those Superflex bushings usually need to be smeared with some grease I can't imagine it being a problem for the OE bushing as long as you're not using a grease that hurts the rubber. I think I would go with some silicon grease.

Post by **scot850** » 09 Nov 2015, 11:03

Thanks Big Will. I was planning just a smear of silicon grease more to 'seal' the aluminum to try to prevent further decay for a while. I have 2 more pairs of lower control arms in the garage, and may look down the line at the Super Flex bushes. The bushes are the 2 identical ones that sit back to back under the rear spindle/hub.

I am trying to recall if you mentioned there was an alternate bush for the inner/outer lower control arm bushes (they are the same). If that is the case, we just need someone to make the un-listed bush that mounts at the front of the lower control arm into the side stay. Then I think we would have poly replacements for all of the stay and lower control arm bushes. I saw someone (was it you) had had some custom upper control arm bushes made. If it was you, can you let me know approximately how much they cost and were they successful?

The remaining bushes then would be the inner and outer adjustable cross-stay bushes and the large bush for the outer bush for the upper control arm! Maybe one day we will have access to a full set of poly bushes! Next the world!!!

I do have a set of all the rear bushes in good condition I had removed with tis in mind for the future.

Thanks again,

Neil.

Post by **Big Will** » 09 Nov 2015, 13:41

Hi Neil - yep we're on the same page here. So of the 3 sets of bushings used in the LCAs, two of them are available in poly.
9169310 is equivalent to: SPF2012K (Super Pro or Super Flex). These are also used in the rear subframe.
6819057 (the bushing I think you're referring to) is equivalent to: SPF1023K
For the mystery bushing that Volvo doesn't make separately from the LCA, Nick and I have both used 9490797 which is a bushing used in P2 cars but fits almost perfectly. I believe it's about 1mm different but I can't imagine that making any real difference and it presses in snugly.

As for the other 2 sets of bushings that go in the subframe, Nick had a machinist that he knows make sets for the two of us as well as Hussein (lookforjoe). They were a bit pricey but about the same as the cost of two sets of the SPF2012K.

I know Nick installed his and I had a machine shop install the SuperPro and custom bushings into the extra subframe I have. The smaller set fit perfectly but the larger bushing must have been machined a hair too small in diameter as you can install it by hand. Nick said his snugged up when he bolted everything together. I'm not quite so far along and think I'll put a ring of epoxy or something around the sleeve once I assemble all the spare parts to ensure it stays put...actually that's something I'll appreciate input on as it's not something I have experience with.

Here is a picture of the custom bushings:

You can also put poly bushings from a 240 in the brackets that mount the subframe to the body with SPF0638K:

Hope that helps a bit. Really really respect all the work you're doing on your wagon. I may get in touch with some questions about the fuel lines in a month or two as I managed to acquire a brand new old stock fuel tank from my friends in Sweden for a song (they got 2 from Volvo when they discontinued them and still have one available if anyone is interested) and it seems to include a few of the lines.

Blockpartie · Post by **Blockpartie** » 09 Nov 2015, 14:10

PM'd you Will

For Nick the bushing might have fit because of the way he prepped his subframe. Painting/coating the bushing mounting area vs not painting or coating it me add the few µm needed for a snug fit.

Post by **Big Will** » 09 Nov 2015, 14:47

We both had our subframes powdercoated (in my case I can at least attest to the fact that they taped off the bushing holes carefully). Perhaps Nick was less lucky though that may have worked in his favor!

Post by **scot850** » 09 Nov 2015, 23:25

Thanks for all the detail Will. Shame the custom bushes were no quite right, but the great news is all the other bushes you guys have identified.

Like you, I have a spare sub-frame and most of the rear suspension and drive-line. Almost have enough parts to build a complete rear frame, less the fuel system. That includes the diff, axles, and VC unit. Just don't have rear hubs yet (XC ones are different).

Feel free to contact me on the fuel lines, but I'm sure you will be aware the North American cars have a more complex emissions system. More than happy to help.

If I don't reply, PM me to prompt me to check MVS for your requested help!

It would be nice though to be able to get all the bushes in Poly at some point.

Neil.

Post by **Big Will** » 10 Nov 2015, 01:38

My wagon is a North American car - it lives in Arizona

I've just lived in Europe the past 7 or 8 years.

Thanks for confirming the spindles are different. If you do want to get these custom bushings though, you should get in touch with Nick Choy "NChoy" over on v70r.com
Maybe the machinist can do the next batch and get it exactly right on the bigger bushing.

I once discussed making a custom bushing with Kaplhenke Racing for the mystery bushing and he said he could make a spherical bearing pretty easily for that location. In the end, I just went with the close-enough Volvo bushing but at least there's another option out there if you wanted to go all out!