2000 c70 Rear shocks nightmare [links to rear shocks threads FWD] Topic is solved

[subzerocarfanatic]

I finally got the passenger side off, i know all the details of installing shocks,not my first time wrenching, the problem i was having that i thought someone else may have found an easier solution to was the nut on top would not come off because the entire shock was spinning, the part inside the upper plastic dust cover where you cant get to, when i would turn the nut the square tip threaded end where the nut comes off was spinning with it and there was no way to hold it for a lack of room. I had to clamp the tip with vise grips then put a crescent wrench over the vise grips to keep them from spinning while trying to use a open end 15mm wrench, and there was not enough room between the vise grips and the nut because as you all know the nut sits down in the dome shaped top strut mount. It took me over 2 hours to finally remove 1 shock mm at a time. Not looking forward to doing the other side today!

[subzerocarfanatic]

Get a deep socket, and HOLD the top part of the shock through the springs.

Also, use the jack (not the cheap 2 ton you get anywhere) to push and hold the new shocks into place; you can also use it to push up on the control arm. The jack is your friend.

The rear shocks on the C70 Convertible don't run inside the coil spring, they run outside of them to the side, and there is no rear control arm, thanks for your thoughts though.

[subzerocarfanatic]

There is no exposed shock in wheel well,it has a plastic dust cover,it doesn't not come off. They should have notched the top threaded end about nut so it could be held with a flat head screwdriver so the nut could be turned,this is ridiculous!

[subzerocarfanatic]

As you can see after clamping with vise grips so the threaded stud does not turn that leaves next to no room to get a wrench on it and when I do i can only turn 3mm at a time, seems this was poorly thought out in terms of service. I did start with an impact to but it still spun the entire shaft.

[subzerocarfanatic]

This is me installing the new passenger side shock,i did get the old one out after fighting it for over 3 hours.

[E Showell]

OK -- Here's a tip that works on the V and S70s, From the photos, looks like it would work on the C70. Don't try to remove that nut at the top of the rear shock, instead remove the shock mount -- two bolts -- with the rear shock still attached to it. You will, of course, have to replace the mount. Also, when removing the mount, it is oh so easy to strip the bolts because they will be well-rusted. Best to spray for a couple days with PB Blaster or equivalent before attacking the job and when removing, loosen a little, tighten some, loosen a little more, spray more PB, etc. Don't try to remove these bolts quickly or you risk snapping them and being in for a drill and tap nightmare -- don't ask me how I know this.

[xHeart]

This may help viewtopic.php?f=1&t=40415

[erikv11]

Yes this is pretty easy on most P80 cars but remember the OP has a C70 and they have a small handful of stupid design flaws and can be a pain to own and work on. Maybe rear shock mount access is one of them, not sure ...

OK -- Here's a tip that works on the V and S70s, From the photos, looks like it would work on the C70. Don't try to remove that nut at the top of the rear shock, instead remove the shock mount -- two bolts -- with the rear shock still attached to it. You will, of course, have to replace the mount. Also, when removing the mount, it is oh so easy to strip the bolts because they will be well-rusted. Best to spray for a couple days with PB Blaster or equivalent before attacking the job and when removing, loosen a little, tighten some, loosen a little more, spray more PB, etc. Don't try to remove these bolts quickly or you risk snapping them and being in for a drill and tap nightmare -- don't ask me how I know this.

^^^ This. The rusty nuts will heat up the bolt, go slowly and add PB-Blaster and thread them in and out as you are removing them. Don't use an impact.

[SlowLane]

I learned many years ago when replacing the struts on my 240 that offset ring wrenches are indispensible when working on Volvos.

Either Hazet or Stahlwille are good bets. I tried to embed links to Amazon in this message. Oddly, they showed fine in the preview, but expanded the full URL when I submitted it to the forum. Just Google "Hazet Offset Ring Wrench" and you'll get the hit for Amazon.

Jens Putzier used to import and sell the sets, but last time I looked he was only selling individual wrenches. I got a large set of Stahlwille wrenches from him some time ago, ranging from 6 mm to 32 mm. Pricey, but haven't regretted the purchase.

I note that there is also a set of Gearwrench offset wrenches on Amazon, but at $27 for 9 wrenches one has to wonder about the quality.

[abscate]

That’s a crows foot wrench application. Not that rare.