Front alignment on a rusty old Volvo?

Post by **FireFox31** » 13 Jun 2022, 16:48

Could a mechanic have a difficult time performing an alignment on a rusty old Volvo? What could I do or what parts could I replace to enable the alignment to be performed successfully?

Which front end part replacements require an alignment afterward? Is the pictured tie rod end with broken rubber boot a safety risk?

Asking for a friend, Geronimo, the rusty 2000 V70 with 350k miles. Money is tight so I want to get only one alignment as I refresh the front suspension over a long period of time. I'm hoping to replace both tie rod ends (one boot failed, one boot intact), get an alignment, then not need to align for any other work (springs, shocks, axle boots, reluctor (speed sensor) rings, sway bar bushings).

Post by **BlackBart** » 13 Jun 2022, 17:05

My first thought is if you can't rotate the tie rod ends, you can't align it. And maybe those ball joints are shot and loose anyway.

Post by **FireFox31** » 13 Jun 2022, 17:11

BlackBart wrote: ↑13 Jun 2022, 17:05 My first thought is if you can't rotate the tie rod ends, you can't align it. And maybe those ball joints are shot and loose anyway.

Thanks. Perhaps it is a smart move to replace both tie rod ends before the alignment, even though one side has an intact boot.

What parts of the P80 suspension must get manipulated during an alignment?

Post by **scot850** » 13 Jun 2022, 17:28

Just those. The inner and outer tie rods adjust the toe-in, toe-out on the front tires. At the rear there are adjusters too.

If the toe rod on one end it good just repair the one if money is tight. Wire brush the heck out of the threads on the inner tie-rod outer end and soak the nut in penetrating oil and keep doing that. An experienced alignment person knows that they may have to break out a torch to heat the suckers to get them to loosen and adjust.

Neil.

Post by **FireFox31** » 14 Jun 2022, 09:25

Haynes says "The front camber angle is adjusted by slackening the steering knuckle-to-suspension strut mounting bolts and repositioning the steering knuckle assemblies as necessary." If I replace the struts, do I need an alignment to correct the camber angle?

Post by **abscate** » 14 Jun 2022, 09:33

Just do tie rod ends. TRW ours ones will fit any rack, the TRW SMI thing only applies to the inner tie rods

I’ve got UBG ones here , too…

Post by **BlackBart** » 14 Jun 2022, 10:16

FireFox31 wrote: ↑14 Jun 2022, 09:25 If I replace the struts, do I need an alignment to correct the camber angle?

Probably. Hard to guess on the bolt positions on a new shiny part. (Unless you're just putting in a strut shock insert and saving the spring and housing - then the housing will have the bolt marks and you can get very close)

Post by **scot850** » 14 Jun 2022, 11:42

There may be a minute amount of camber adjust on the front but only as much as any slop in the bolt holes. I have never worried about the front camber. The rear on an AWD has adjustment and needs careful adjustment. Not sure if the rear of a FWD has rear camber either. It does have toe adjustment.

Neil.