v70 awd '98 sway bar link bolt

terrencekeenan · Post by **terrencekeenan** » 09 Mar 2009, 19:49

I was clunking the other day on the right side. So, I tightened up my sway bar link nuts. Did the trick. As I had the time, I also tightened up on the left side. Those were on the loose side too, so it's good I checked. However, while tightening the left bottom sway bar link nut, I reached a point where I had okay torque, but the nut just kept turning and turning without getting tighter. I guess that means the nut and/or bolt is toast. But I felt it was tight enough for the next couple days until I could get a new one. Well, two-days later, hit a small bump, and I could feel that bolt lurch loose and now the sway bar link really clunks on the left side now.

Questions
1. How can I take the nut/bolt off now. I loosen and loosen but it just turns. Same goes for when I tighten. (I'm making sure the bolt does not move with the nut). Is there a good method for cutting it off, or is there a much simpler way?
2. I can torque it just enough to where I can hear only a faint clunk. Is the car safe to drive slowly (<60 mph)? Let's even imagine that the sway bar link bolt becomes totally dislodged?

I hope to learn plenty from your answers. I've already learned that loctite could have saved me all this trouble.

larryh · Post by **larryh** » 09 Mar 2009, 20:47

If you're sure the bolt is not spinning then yeah, the threads are stripped, probably on both the nut and bolt. I would say the link is toast because the bolt is part of the link. So get a new link (or 2). If you have a 4 inch angle grinder, just cut the nut off. If not, a hacksaw would work, i guess, but that would not be fun. Or you could go to a shop with a six pack in hand and let them use an impact gun or grinder on it. You can drive it home without the link attached, but not much more than that.

Post by **holler1** » 09 Mar 2009, 21:23

I happen to have two spare sets of the end links for the same car. I replaced mine last month with IPD heavy duty ones when I replaced a bad sway bar. I had replaced one of the old ones with Volvo OEM links back in the summer. So I have two that came off the car (and still seem tight), one OEM link that was never installed, and one OEM link that was on the car for 6 months. I'll send you the old ones for shipping cost only, or let's say $25 each for the newer OEMs ($39 at FCP Groton. I hate to see good parts go unused. Let me know. Paypal should work although I have not sold anything that way.

I drove mine for a couple of weeks w/o end links; was just careful not go go around turns too fast.

martz010185 · Post by **martz010185** » 09 Mar 2009, 21:54

I am working on my sway end links at the same time, and I know that there's an area right by the rubber boot on the end link that's flat where you can grab onto with an open end wrench that will allow you to tighten it down. Have you tried this? I believe you'll need a 17 or 18mm wrench.

Here's a write-up with a picture of it, if it helps any more.

http://members.shaw.ca/heeeeee/strut/3.htm

Marco · Post by **Marco** » 10 Mar 2009, 06:14

I'm not a mechanic or a Volvo expert, but I do spend a fair amount of time at work removing stripped bolts and such.
If you have room a good method is to grasp the nut firmly with vice grips, and pull the nut down while turning it. Obviously the bolt must be kept from turning. Just keep a good constant pulling pressure on the nut while you turn it and it will come off.
Do not attempt to reuse the nut or bolt.

terrencekeenan · Post by **terrencekeenan** » 10 Mar 2009, 17:33

Larry,
just a couple hours too late - I already ordered a new link bar from Groton before I saw your post.
It's my only car, so I have been driving it with the loose link (still hanging on there). It's good to hear that it's been done before, and my wife especially, likes my new driving habit of going slow in the corners.
Speaking of loctite - does anyone have any opinions as to the blue or red, is the red overkill for just a link bolt. I'm asking because I have some unused blue loctite in the basement.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 10 Mar 2009, 17:37

I just use the blue...

Post by **holler1** » 10 Mar 2009, 17:53

When you get the new one, I recommend trying to get a wrench on the back in order to get it tight, as Martz010185 said. I think the new ones have a small Torx opening on the end of the bolt, but I could not get a lot of torque on the nut turning it against the Torx socket. Try putting on the back wrench before installing the link. Also, you'll need to jack up the wheel a little to get the link lined up well with the strut before you finish tightening it up.

Larry