2002 s60 AWD - Front end work and more

s60scrub · Post by **s60scrub** » 11 Dec 2007, 13:04

60k miles. There is knocking in the front suspension. Worse at low speeds over potholes, speed bumps, driveway transitions, etc.

Local Volvo specialist shop recommends the following:

Sway bar links (both sides) - $190
Spring seat (one side) - $188
Top & bottm control arm bushings - $680

I have several questions regarding this work:
1) Is there any way to determine which of these is the culprit?
2) Is the work crucial? Will riding on cracked bushings/loose linkage cause additional damage or catastrophic failure? Will the work improve the feel and handling of the vehicle or just eliminate the annoying noise?
3) Are these prices reasonable?
4) Is the work difficult to perform for a novice mechanic?
5) Why are the control arm bushings so expensive? Aren't they just bits of rubber?

Other work recommended based on scheduled maintenance:
Spark plugs - $106
Cabin air filter - $75

Other issues I may need to tend to:
Lower motor mounts
Tranny to motor mount

Is there a way to check if these parts are really in need of replacement? Would you recommend some/any of this work?

Thanks in advance for your advice

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 11 Dec 2007, 14:28

You can do all of this for considerably less. I don't get the "upper and lower" control arm bushings. Typically the control arm is just replaced as a unit. You can take a pr. of lock washer pliars (the elongated type that allows several openings to the end) and grab each of these bushings (on the metal ends) and see if they move when you try to with brute force). If so, then yeah, you need to replace them, but to me, someone is guessing so they want to replace them all. Btw, the spark plugs are not expensive at all either and easy to replace. If you have a turbo, buy the Volvo turbo plugs. As far as suspension parts, I would go with the swaybar endlinks first- the other stuff usually won't wear out by 60K miles. www.fcpgroton.com and eeuroparts.com (free shipping on orders over $39) are the places to get replacement parts. Just don't get ScanTech suspension parts- they wear out quickly. Also, if you want, www.ipdusa.com has heavy duty endlinks which we used on both of our cars with great results.

Arbelac · Post by **Arbelac** » 11 Dec 2007, 15:33

Or go over to Volvospeed, look up member "tomtbone" and order his adjustable endlinks. They are really good as well.

mitchellbd · Post by **mitchellbd** » 12 Dec 2007, 09:15

i replaced all that stuff afew months ago.
the drop links (sway bar links) took the nose away.
mitchellbd

tripleb · Post by **tripleb** » 12 Dec 2007, 22:03

It's not uncommon for all of these to need replacement, even at 60k. I've had to replace all of these items on many cars while they were still under warranty.

I've never tried replacing the a-arm, but it's doubtful that it's any cheaper than replacing the bushings.

I've never tried after market end links, but that might be worth a shot.

I would focus on the end links and the spring seat for the noise.

Good Luck

3B

s60scrub · Post by **s60scrub** » 17 Dec 2007, 15:38

Sway bar end links and spring seat did the trick. Due to time constraints, I had these done at a local shop for $340 total.

Still confused about the control arm bushings....where are they and what exactly is their role? Should I be concerned about causing further damage or major failure by not getting them replaced?

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 17 Dec 2007, 15:55

control arm bushings= ball joint bushings.
The control arms are at the end of your axle and look triangular in shape, being anchored on two points to the bottom of your car and the point with the bushings ending in a ball joint at your wheel. Hope this helps. It is usually the end at the wheel that goes bad.