2007 Money Pit - Front Subframe Bushing

BadMonk · Post by **BadMonk** » 28 Mar 2025, 11:41

We just had the transmission rebuilt. The shop said whoever was in there before used the wrong size sub-frame bushing bolts. Instead of getting the correct bolts from Volvo, this indie shop put it together with the wrong size bolts. Now, the car sounds like a tin of hardware over bumps.

So, I got new bolts, plastic washers and metal cups. Easy to do on the rear of the sub-frame. But, when i tried to take out the wrong size bolt with a stack of washers on the front, the sub-frame bolt just spins...like it's stripped. Other than returning to the transmission shop, how can I get the bolt out and what else. I'm not even sure what the bolt threads into. Any advice?2007

dikidera · Post by **dikidera** » 29 Mar 2025, 02:29

The bolt threads in the chassis itself. If someone used wrong bolts, then the threads are gone and need to be redone and hope there is enough meat in there so you can use the genuine ones.

Post by **abscate** » 29 Mar 2025, 02:39

You might have to do something drastic like weld the subframe to save that car. Those aren’t easy spots to just drill and retap,

Post by **ggleavitt** » 29 Mar 2025, 12:35

You have a post on Swedespeed this same subject, maybe see this thread for some photos (page 5 onwards) of where to look to see what's happened- https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/odd- ... lt.373865/

BadMonk · Post by **BadMonk** » 29 Mar 2025, 14:48

Thanks for the replies. So I pulled back the wheel well liner and found this.

: 1.jpg (108.13 KiB) Viewed 389 times

One of the previous owners cut the frame and tack welded a nut in place. All the threads in the frame and nut are stripped. I was able to pull the sub-frame bolt out by hand. It was barely hanging on.
Any ideas how to get the tack welded nut out, without doing more damage? Still not sure what I'll do with it.

BadMonk · Post by **BadMonk** » 29 Mar 2025, 16:12

Transmission shop is going to fix it, weld it up. Better than doing the ghetto fix.