98 S70 When should you replace your stabilizer bar?

Post by **erikv11** » 16 Aug 2016, 07:11

The bushings are *definitely* vulcanized to the bar. You have to burn them off if you want to go that route. Volvo doesn't sell the bushing part separately, you will need something aftermarket.

You must drop the subframe for the removal/install, and I think also loosen the steering rack. I've never done it, there are full instructions at the IPD pages.

Post by **tryingbe** » 16 Aug 2016, 08:46

There are different sway bar size, I bought this bushing for my car.
http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/9.5124

Yes, the bushing is vulcanized to the bar. I used wire wheel to get the bushing off. Yes, subframe have to be dropped at least a little, you have no access to the bolts otherwise.

Post by **theWIFES_S70** » 16 Aug 2016, 14:17

tryingbe wrote:There are different sway bar size, I bought this bushing for my car.
http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/9.5124

Yes, the bushing is vulcanized to the bar. I used wire wheel to get the bushing off. Yes, subframe have to be dropped at least a little, you have no access to the bolts otherwise.

Thanks for the suggestion tryingbe. This is the way I'd go, considering my financial limitations. I think if I drop the subframe again, I'm going to have to swap out my Proparts bushings. The rubber on them isn't worthy of being used in 99-cent flip flops, let alone to isolate bumps on our S70. I know if I drop this again and torque it up, it'll only compress and distort it even more.

Post by **misha** » 16 Aug 2016, 14:45

Found a little more info about aftermarket sway bar bushings:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/blog/posts/the- ... 70-s60-s80

Post by **misha** » 16 Aug 2016, 15:07

tryingbe wrote:Yes, the bushing is vulcanized to the bar...

On 850s too?
Never had to replace them....checked them visually but never thought that they are vulcanised to the sway bar.This is new to me.

About comment that Volvo doesnt sell them separatelly...they didn't sell control arm bushings at the beginning either.Newer style control arms where ball joint isn't replaceable.If you had a bad control arm bushings you would need to replace the whole control arm.
At least for european Volvo dealerships.

Control arm bushing replacement from Volvo was added to the market later.Aftermarket ones were available from some aftermarket brands.

Post by **tryingbe** » 16 Aug 2016, 15:43

misha wrote:
tryingbe wrote:Yes, the bushing is vulcanized to the bar...
On 850s too?

It was on my 94 850. Measure your sway bar before buying any bushing!!

I don't have a direct picture, but here is my subframe when I took it off for 5spd sway. Changed the subframe bushing as well as sway bar bushing.

Post by **JRL** » 16 Aug 2016, 15:51

ALL bars from 850s on are one piece

Post by **misha** » 16 Aug 2016, 16:03

JRL wrote:ALL bars from 850s on are one piece

Ok i understand....but there are good aftermarket brands of sway bar bushings on the market...Febi,Sasic,Moog(Federal Mogul),Delphi,Sidem,Meyle...etc.

Why would someone replace the whole sway bar with bushings and pay a lot of $$$ if bushings alone are replaceable?

Post by **cn90** » 16 Aug 2016, 17:22

Because it is vulcanized, courtesy of Volvo.
At dealer, they replace the whole thing.

For DIYers, the option of "Energy Suspension" bushings are there.

Post by **tryingbe** » 16 Aug 2016, 18:11

misha wrote:Why would someone replace the whole sway bar with bushings and pay a lot of $$$ if bushings alone are replaceable?

Why wouldn't the manufacturer want to sell you a $300 sway bar with bushings instead of $30 of bushings?