P80 ball joint nut/ bolt 988185 987891

Post by **abscate** » 26 Oct 2015, 02:16

Did some front end work and found that Volvo would not sell me a replacement ball joint retaining nut

This is a bit of and oddball as you need about 2 cm of the outer diameter unthreaded to retain the ball joint groove. It is a bolt under stress so I used a grade 10

Dimensions
Torque value
Pictures

To come

Edited to correct spellcheck fails

Post by **jreed** » 26 Oct 2015, 05:05

I had a similar sounding problem a couple years ago when I replaced my CV boots and had to remove the lower control arm to remove the axles. I damaged the bolt locking the control arm and had to buy a replacement nut and bolt at the local hardware store. I also got a high tensile strength bolt and a nut that has the nylon insert to lock to the threads. It seems to be holding up OK.

Post by **abscate** » 20 Nov 2019, 07:22

I have had trouble sourcing these, my Volvo dealer refused to sell them to me without buying a whole Lower control Arm

The Volvo webstore diagram (see below) does not show the hardware as purchasable separately, but they are from IPD FCP Eeuro.

The same bolt is used on the Idler pulley
The same nut is used on the top of the center seat belt mount.

Ball joint hardware and Volvo part number
BUFO M8 x 50 mm Grade 8.8 Flange bolt 988185
Flange Nut M8 987891

I tried using a hardware store bolt/nut, Grade 10, here ONCE. It loosened up....

The flange nut bolt has a complex shank with a 10mm boss for the first 6mm of length, and I think this might be important.

On edit ,,.corrected hardware error above

shegarty · Post by **shegarty** » 20 Nov 2019, 11:04

I am fortunate to have a specialty hardware supplier local to me - they can source pretty much any bolt/thread/grade requirement I have ever had. For suspension components I always use at least Grade 8 hardness fittings, these are not easy to find at your local big box hardware store. Maybe you can get lucky and find a specialty supplier? You won't regret it if you do.

Post by **abscate** » 21 Nov 2019, 03:54

Fixed hardware error above, courtesy of my favorite Potato Professor

Post by **abscate** » 21 Nov 2019, 04:47

Merged with earlier thread from 2015

More to come

Post by **Eddystone** » 21 Nov 2019, 09:48

So, Abscate, what's the message here? The bolts are not available from Volvo but higher-grade hardware sourced elsewhere is no good because it loosens? If loosening is the only problem, why is that happening? How about using some thread locker (and I'd advise against the red stuff unless you want to use a torch to get it loose next time)?

When they recommend that you not reuse the OEM bolts, is that based upon any sound engineering data or just a general policy? Are the used OEM bolts any less suspect than bolts sourced elsewhere made of who knows what?

So, no offense, but is this thread really only a complaint about the dealer not selling you the bolts? Are they available from some other dealer? Or does Volvo just not sell them and the dealers want to hold onto whatever stock they have on hand?

Post by **abscate** » 21 Nov 2019, 11:11

I’m learning as I go on this one, since 2015

The flange nut is actually a single use lock nut. It doesn’t take a huge torque, because the shank holds the ball joint in place, not the tension in the fastener.

Neither the dealer nor Volvo web store shows the bolt and nut as orderable separately, but you can buy them under the part numbers given, as Volvo blue box parts. Bit strange.

A standard bolt with loctite would be fine, I think. You do want full thickness on the shank to eliminate play on the ball joint.

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 21 Nov 2019, 11:56

IPD and FCP Euro will sell you both part numbers, Brand: Genuine Volvo.

Post by **wizechatmgr** » 22 Nov 2019, 21:11

Looks a lot like one of the bolt setups on my swing arm on the Kawasaki...