2002 V70 Front end troubles Topic is solved

MDK · Post by **MDK** » 29 Dec 2018, 08:41

Hey all. MDK here. Well I have some new trouble with my old wagon. I just bought this one a month ago and this is what I've done so far. It needed struts so I installed a pair of quick struts. It needed an axle on the passenger side... replaced that. Needed 2 tires did that and had it alignment done. So.. the problem is... when your driving the car it will throw you left and right. If you hit the brake and stop the steering wheel is straight. When you power up the steering wheel turns to the right. It's really bad. So the question is... what should I be looking for? All comments appreciated....MDK

Post by **abscate** » 29 Dec 2018, 09:17

The ball joints, which are married to the lower control arms, are wear components that last 150k miles on good roads, and 50-100k on bad roads.

They are about 100 USD each - scour the forum for the recommended brands and don't use the cheap ones.

Corrected to P2 parts below

MDK · Post by **MDK** » 29 Dec 2018, 11:24

Thanks abscate... I'll check them and let you know what I find. It's weird how they used to be in the control arms and now with the p2 the ball joints are in the hub assy... weird. MDK

Post by **oragex** » 29 Dec 2018, 12:08

Miles? I would bet on the control arms. Just make sure not to cheap out on these, Ipd HD or Lemforder. Check them, turn the wheels to lock then look at the rear bushing - may even lift the car a little www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1QaJbyjr2s
Ball joints usually Lemforder are the good ones, other brands are a hit or (big) miss Ipdusa.com Fcpeuro.com

Also inspect the two large strut to spindle bolts are properly tightened. Does the front of the car feel/look jacked a bit with the new struts ? That happens often times and may throw out of balance the camber adjustment: the car will then follow a lot any pavement crack or denivelation

MDK · Post by **MDK** » 29 Dec 2018, 15:11

Hey oragex.. yeah, the wagon is a 2002 V70 non turbo 2.4 . I was looking at the URO Part. Maybe I should get ball joints and lower a arms and call it done. I just wish they were like the 90's style where they were all in one assy. Oh well... it real bad driving this thing... left/ right ... left sheesh!! At 40 miles an hour it's like riding a bronco buck! .. you really gotta have a handle on this one. I'll look at fcpeuro/ lemforder. My friend Tom works on Saab and uses URO Parts. We'll see. Take care and have a great New Year's Eve!! MDK Rolling ( wobbling) on. Haha

MDK · Post by **MDK** » 29 Dec 2018, 15:21

Oh I forgot to put the miles ...206,500 something. It looks like the belt was changed at 198,000 so that's good. I don't know why my new phone sent the picture of the wagon upside down.... weird. MDK

crlande · Post by **crlande** » 29 Dec 2018, 15:45

URO is almost a curse word on here!

MDK · Post by **MDK** » 29 Dec 2018, 15:59

Oh ... didn't know that. Hmm

earthworm · Post by **earthworm** » 29 Dec 2018, 16:04

Being "thrown" from side to side while driving ?
Hard to envision - this .
Not a ball joint,; much more likely is weak hydraulics or a flat tire on one side .. Tires can be a number one suspect as well as "quickie struts" - beware things "quick" .. or cheap Russian tires ..
URO ? means nothing but sloth and laziness.. I use either E Euro Parts or Rock Auto Parts; Pep Boys also, Amazon when I become desperate and depressed.

Post by **abscate** » 30 Dec 2018, 05:11

Ah, I got fooled by your sig. that’s why the thread title standard up includes year and model

Your 2002 ball joints are bolted and pressed into the spindles as you note. They cost one third as much as full control arms...applause! Use Lemforder or Volvo.

URO rubber is poor, so expect to redo the ball joints for failed seals in 6-12 months.