850 Sway bar bushing replacement

[polskamafia mjl]

...why is this common practice, throwing away an entire part when just a bushing is needed.

The sway-bar bushes on Volvo P80's are bonded to the bar or 'vulcanised'. Over the years the bond breaks down and the bush detaches from the bar itself.

[RonMac]

The bushings are made of rubber (or synthetic rubber) vulcanized onto the bar at the factory. If there is any play on these bushings, the entire bar had to be replaced. However, polyurethane (PU) bushes can be used to replace the vulcanised rubber bushings. Advantages of PU is that 1) the lifespan is much longer (than that of the original Volvo rubber bushes) and 2) the PU material allows less movement for better handling on the road. (Bottom Line:- Original Volvo is poorer quality)
[My opinion -in this post- has been modified by the added information from the following post by scot850. Thanks!]

[scot850]

The downside to poly bushes is they wear quickly if not lubricated regularly. If you see my earlier comments on IPD poly bushes then if I recall they suggested re-greasing every 6000 miles! Hence the reason for replacing with the Energy suspension bushes and clamps with the grease nipples.

Neil.

[RonMac]

Thanks Neil,
So, when this webpage: (https://jendcarparts.com/reparatieset-p ... 73983.html) truthfully says that "PU .. . lifespan is much longer than that of rubber", it is not actually telling the whole truth.
Ron.

[RonMac]

I have also discovered that Sway bar lateral locks can be placed (without removing sway bar) right next to the sway bar’s bushing mount. They prevent excess lateral shifting or sideways movement of the sway bar under lateral (cornering loads). This results in improved sway bar effectiveness (improved tire-grip and better handling). However, I assume that such less movement would also reduce wear to the bush, making it last longer.
Ron

[scot850]

It is possible, but I would suggest that if it is locking the swaybar so tightly, it may load up the sub-frame mounts and in particular the rears which are mounted right beside the sway bar mounts. May have no affect but as I have no experience of the use of locks I cannot answer from experience.

Good luck!

Neil.

[RonMac]

Re: "may load up the sub-frame mounts"
That is a very good point to consider!
However, the original (Volvo 850 & S70) sway bar bushes are vulcanized, thus preventing almost all lateral movement force (allowing only minimal cusioning-effect of bushes). I assume that the design of the sub-frame mounts would "factor-in" and allow for that lateral force-transfer to them (from the stabilizer).
Whereas, we might assume that other makes & models (not designed with vulcanized bushes) may have potentially geater issues with excessive sub-frame mount loading (i.e. when sway bar lateral locks are fitted).
Obviously, hard cornering can increase loads and thus increase maintenance.

[Chuck W]

The IPD front bars have stops welded onto them and are supplied with poly bushings.

I have poly bushings on the R bars in the wife's 855. I've noticed a knocking sound that I've traced to the sway bar translating a bit in the bushings. I'm going to grab some 2-piece shaft clamp collars and install them to act as stops.

There should be no issues with the rear SF mounts.

[erikv11]

... I'm going to grab some 2-piece shaft clamp collars and install them to act as stops. ...

Pics would be great if you can get around to it.

[RonMac]

I found these videos to teach me how they work:

Sway bar lateral locks.

Videos:
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•
• https://www.suspension.com/universal-sw ... -locks.asp