850t driver axle replacement.

Post by **rguzz** » 25 May 2024, 15:39

It looks like I may simply be able to disconnect control arm at the ball joint attachment, remove axle nut and swivel hub outward so I can then access the axle as seen here: Maybe not remove inner bolt from the control arm at all. Last time I did this I was replacing the control arm and axle shaft but this looks like it might work with just a couple of steps. Am I missing something? Thanks.

lcc014 · Post by **lcc014** » 28 May 2024, 07:27

I tried the same path last time when I replaced the passenger side wheel bearing. It turned out to be a bad idea because the steering knuckle "clamp" around the control arm ball joint broke due to its age. When I tried to "enlarge" the clamp with a chisel (or big flat head screw driver). New steering knuckle was hard to find. I ordered new one from dealer and it took about 1 month to get it.
So I would undo the control arm from the sub-frame side rather than from the ball joint side.

jmartin919 · Post by **jmartin919** » 28 May 2024, 08:42

You don't need to open that "clamp" you just have to remove the bolt completely to get it to drop off the spindle.

lcc014 · Post by **lcc014** » 28 May 2024, 08:55

jmartin919 wrote: ↑28 May 2024, 08:42 You don't need to open that "clamp" you just have to remove the bolt completely to get it to drop off the spindle.

Unfortunately, mine did not drop down. I wished it did but not the case. My 1995 850 was about 29 years old and it was the original steering knuckle which needed to "open" the clamp in order the drop the ball joint down. The "new" steering knuckle that I ordered from dealer was a different design. The ball joint clamp area was very loose; ball joint would drop down once the bolt was removed.

jmartin919 · Post by **jmartin919** » 28 May 2024, 09:19

OK, that's different. I have a 93 850 and it just drops down. Have to be very careful it's fully seated back up in there before reinstalling the bolt - ask me how I know.

jmartin919 · Post by **jmartin919** » 28 May 2024, 10:02

My '93 actually has the replaceable ball joint on the control arm.

lcc014 · Post by **lcc014** » 29 May 2024, 05:36

Volvo changed the control arm design in 94/95, no more replaceable ball joint on the control arm. Mine is one piece control arm.

Post by **scot850** » 29 May 2024, 08:29

They are interchangeable. Some like the idea of the replaceable ball joint and the aluminum control arms. They will be hard to find these days. I used to have a spare set that someone decided they needed so I sold them.

Neil.