V40 Rear shock crash course

mtroxel · Post by **mtroxel** » 09 May 2011, 07:31

Volvo noob here, but not new to wrenching. Did a V40 timing belt last weekend with help from this DIY and it wasn't too bad as timing belts go.

Girlfriend has 02 V40 and lots of noise from the RR suspension. Opened her hatch and found the top of the shock poking through the trim in the cargo area.

I'm pretty sure that's connected to the problem.

Searched and can't find a good write up on changing the rear shock mount on a V40. I found this on a 98 V70.

Questions:

Is the V40 similar to this?
Is the spring compressed or do I just jack a little underneath it to get it off?
Does the V40 have the same problem everyone talks about with the welded nuts for the shock mount?
I also see Volvo owners talk about replacting a spring seat. Is that just on the fronts or is that an issue on the rears also?

Post by **billofdurham** » 09 May 2011, 11:21

Welcome to Matthew's Volvo Site.

It's good to meet someone who searched first.

The top of the rear shock should be poking through the floor of the cargo area but not through the trim. Attached shows how to remove the rear shock and spring. You could probably spring compressors instead of the special tool.

V40 rear suspension replacement..pdf: (651.37 KiB) Downloaded 1891 times

Bill.

mtroxel · Post by **mtroxel** » 09 May 2011, 12:01

Nice Bill. Perfect. Something tells me I can do w/o disconnecting the sway bar if I just lift both back wheels so it can all hang? Or is that a "must"?

Post by **billofdurham** » 09 May 2011, 12:34

It is a "must". If you don't remove them you won't have enough clearance to pull the spring through.

Bill.

mtroxel · Post by **mtroxel** » 09 May 2011, 12:39

K. Thanks a lot Bill.