Upper Torque strut and front motor mount

stockton · Post by **stockton** » 21 Jul 2007, 20:03

Ok, I was going over our 2002 V70 T5 for its pre 60k service inspection, to start ordering the parts I need and noticed that the torque strut (the mount on top of the engine that prevents excessive rotation under power) is torn. I am now aware that there are aftermarket improvements on this weak link, availiable from IPD, Evolve and VIVA. My question is, which one of these is the best one to go with, they all appear to be designed the same and look as if you press or tap the OEM bushing out and press or tap the new polyurethane bushing in its place. My other question is, how do I go about inspecting the front motor mounts (front of car, side of motor) to make sure it doesn't need replacement as a result of the torque strut failure?

Thanks

Andrew

Post by **JRL** » 21 Jul 2007, 20:23

If you have an automatic ALL will give you more vibration at idle than OEM.
If you really want one, the Evolve BLACK mount is the "softest" and will give the least vibration.
I have probably used all of them so this is from experience

stockton · Post by **stockton** » 22 Jul 2007, 06:50

Do the replacement OEM bushings hold up any better?

stockton · Post by **stockton** » 23 Jul 2007, 08:29

Ok, after researching alternatives to the weak upper motor mount (torque strut) I found this bushing made by super pro

. This bushing reportedly eliminates vibration caused by replacing the rubber bushing with a polyurethane bushing. My question is, has anybody had a problem with their car as a result of replacing the rubber OEM bushing with a polyurethane bushing? I was told by my local Volvo dealership, while calling them to get a price on an OEM mount, that they had seen some instances where other suspension problems occured due to the polyurethane bushing.

Any thoughts or past experience would be welcomed.

Thanks

Andrew

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 23 Jul 2007, 23:19

I have the poly bushing...it does cause more vibration, though tolerable. If your other mounts are wearing out anyway, more vibrations can cause them to wear out sooner. Other than that, no other suspension parts affected.

Post by **JRL** » 24 Jul 2007, 05:28

stockton wrote:Ok, after researching alternatives to the weak upper motor mount (torque strut) I found this bushing made by super pro . This bushing reportedly eliminates vibration caused by replacing the rubber bushing with a polyurethane bushing. My question is, has anybody had a problem with their car as a result of replacing the rubber OEM bushing with a polyurethane bushing? I was told by my local Volvo dealership, while calling them to get a price on an OEM mount, that they had seen some instances where other suspension problems occured due to the polyurethane bushing.

Any thoughts or past experience would be welcomed.

Andrew

ALL poly bushings cause SOME vibration, it's a matter if it bothers YOU or not.
Car feel IS improved so you have to decide if it's worth the trade off.
Personally after a lot of experimenting, I use poly engine (strut brace) poly bushings (2) and leave the top mount OEM, best of both worlds IMO

stockton · Post by **stockton** » 24 Jul 2007, 06:59

Thanks for the help. I ended up going with an OEM bushing. I will probably follow JRL's suggestion as others wear out. So far there is no indication that they are going out. Knock on wood. I will say that the bushing that I removed (with the aluminum housing) was round and looked to be severely underdesigned, as we all know. The one the dealership sold me for 63.00 looks as if it has been redesigned. The bushing is now a square/T shape and much thicker. Maybe this one will hold up longer.

Andrew

Post by **JRL** » 24 Jul 2007, 09:31

The two small bushings I'm referring to tie the engine brace, that bar going across the engine compartment, to the shock towers.
IPD sells 2 small poly bushings for that.
Nicely tightens up the engine without vibrations, makes that bar much more soild, instaed of rocking back and forth... about 60 bucks and a 10 minute install