2000 V70R, and then there was silence! Topic is solved

Post by **scot850** » 12 Sep 2017, 14:05

A the blissful drive with no groaning suspension! After 4 years and many $$$$ (latest costs were $3000 at dealer) they finally found the issue after having the car for almost a month. I was in no rush for the car as it is a 'spare'. They said it was fixed after installing my new lower controls arms, end-ling and anti-sway bar (all brand new shiny OE Volvo parts). That was about 3 weeks ago. Driving the car back the groaning started first from the car, and then my wallet, closely followed by me!

All the parts have been replaced multiple times over the last 4 years and about 5000 miles. Only remaining part in the front suspension from when purchased 5 years ago is the springs at the front and Nivomats at the rear. EVERYTHING else, bushes rear sub-frame, control arms etc, have been replaced. The front anti-sway bar is the 3rd one, which included the original IPD HD with 2 sets on new bushes (IPD and Powerflex?), a good used OE V70XC front anti-sway bar, and now the new OE V70R OE sway bar. I have had the IPD HD anti-sway bar powder coated (better than new) and have 2 sets of almost brand new bushes for it.

The end-links have been replaced 4 times (OE fitted when bought), followed by IPD HD, then Meyle HD and now back to OE.

Control arms were replaced by PO shortly before I bought it by unknown brand 4 bolt control arms, and those are now replaced by OE Volvo 4-bolt. The aftermarket ones are still good and tight, so with a little paint they will be kept as a back up, as are all the end-links.

Shocks replaced at front with Bilstein Tourings (replaced the Bilstein HD's as one failed but were way too hard for the roads here), top spring seats replaced with IPD HD and bearing plates with OEM Sachs.

Car is now virtually new in the suspension all around!! Thankfully it now drives like a new car (it had better do!).

Now just hope that it stays that way! I even told the dealer foreman to drive the car home and back (about 60 miles) to make sure it was good. He said it runs really well and he enjoyed driving it!! I have to admit, as I have not been driving it, it has now had a good amount of hard driving and appears to have enjoyed it as it feels more instant than before.

So what was the problem? Well it was the RH rear sub-frame bush. They dropped the sub-frame (which I had asked them to check before) and when cutting the bushes out, they got the the last one (RHR) and the whole bush just spun in the sub-frame! No wonder it was groaning, especially when turning as left as it takes the highest loading. So yest, even all the front sub-frame bushes have been replaced and the engine mounts with the exception of the front 'cone' mount and the rear upper torque mount (they are in good condition).

Now I hope to take the car on a few longer runs and actually try to enjoy it again, as there may be an XC90 appearing on the horizon depending on the dealer inspection!

Neil.

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 12 Sep 2017, 14:32

Great news, Neal!
You've been fighting that for far too long.

Congrats!!!

Post by **wizechatmgr** » 12 Sep 2017, 23:08

Awesome.

That had to be a real pain in the ...

Post by **theWIFES_S70** » 12 Sep 2017, 23:28

Yes, congrats Neil!!!

Post by **scot850** » 13 Sep 2017, 08:14

Thanks guys. I will still not be satisfied it is all good until it has a few hundred miles under its' belt with no more noises from the front. Wife is not happy as the car had to go back after first visit and cost more money as first ones were not successful. I have to agree with her but as this has been driving me nuts for about 4.5 years and I have not been able to fix myself (lack of facilities but with a hoist I might have done). If the car continues to run well it may get a reprieve and get to stay longer!!

Now have to finish the V70 base and get parts testing so it can be sold on in the next month (I hope)! Now waiting for an inspection report on a 05 XC90 2.5T AWD to see if it will be coming to our driveway.

Neil.

Post by **Clemens** » 13 Sep 2017, 16:03

Well done, I love stories that end well. Hope you got to keep it, it's just too nice of a car to sell in my opinion.

Post by **abscate** » 14 Sep 2017, 06:12

Well done. Just in time to start a new project in the Classifieds - a nice 1998 in Calgary

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=82635

Post by **scot850** » 14 Sep 2017, 08:05

But it is an AWD.......and the sub-frames rot out here or did you forget. I swore never to buy another P80 AWD. There was a better car yesterday a 96 850 turbo sedan for $800 CDN. Went by end of the afternoon.

I have a 2005 XC90 2.5T AWD with 100,000 miles for inspection at the dealer today. If the find anything the car won't be coming home as it needs a bunch of deferred service work (basically a stage 0 less a timing belt which is due next year with water pump). It also has a broken windshield (fairly standard here), non-functioning horns and a drivers window limit reset needed. I estimate that work as $15-1700 in parts alone and including an aftermarket rain sensing windshield fitted by my favourite window repair shop.

I don't think the owner will be happy with what I offer for it already. Shame, but typical of old Volvos and particulalry the rare to find lower mileage 2.5T XC90 AWD.

Neil.

Post by **850 LPT** » 14 Sep 2017, 09:37

I'm glad you figured things out and that you can finally enjoy your "R' again. I feel your pain, especially the financial one because I'm in a similar situation.

My 98' XC has just been a major PITA over the last couple of years, draining my wallet pretty rapidly. I am not planning to part with it in the near future though, because it is a nice back up car to have around and the AWD is working flawlessly (It better, after I replaced the angle gear and viscous coupler with new ones). Plus, it drives really nice and is cosmetically probably one of the best you can find in our neck of the woods. Hard to believe it's almost 20 years old already
I am reminded of your story because my fuel pump has started leaking, and you know what that means. I am not able to do the job myself right now and will have my indie mechanic do the job. Once the sub-frame is on the ground, I want him to do all the bushings and change whatever else that can fail while he's in there.
So I will have to open my wallet wide once again:-(

Hopefully you will be able to enjoy yours for a few more years and the pain will fade from your memory.

Dirk

Post by **scot850** » 14 Sep 2017, 10:57

If you are planning on replacing the bushes, there is one that is no longer available, and others can be a long wait. Some parts took over 5 months to get here on back order from Volvo. So I would plan ahead and if you need any help feel free to PM me and I will help where I can.

Neil.