Subframe Bush Inserts Fitted - what a difference!

[JamesT5]

I've been busy today, I went out and after a year of them sitting in a box, I fitted my 4 x subframe bush inserts I got from 'Sponge'. It's made a huge difference to the car and I'm impressed with how much more 'solid' the ride feels under my bum. There is a little more road vibration than before but the cornering and handling feels miles better and I'm waiting to see if it's cured my front o/s 'rattle' on rough surfaces as it could have been subframe related - only time and driving will tell me that.

Anyway, once I got the bolt out these were pretty easy to fit, I managed to push them around half way in by hand and then used the trolley jack with a 24mm socket on the end to gently press it in to the void. Then all the bolt was refitted and done up as "FT" and I was done. Top job! :beer: :B_thumb: :D

http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/s562/_JamesT5/P1010166_zps95ba8e87.jpg (http://s1306.photobucket.com/user/_JamesT5/media/P1010166_zps95ba8e87.jpg.html)

http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/s562/_JamesT5/P1010173_zps95a9740c.jpg (http://s1306.photobucket.com/user/_JamesT5/media/P1010173_zps95a9740c.jpg.html)

http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/s562/_JamesT5/P1010171_zpsa39aa4e8.jpg (http://s1306.photobucket.com/user/_JamesT5/media/P1010171_zpsa39aa4e8.jpg.html)

http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/s562/_JamesT5/P1010169_zpse89b9947.jpg (http://s1306.photobucket.com/user/_JamesT5/media/P1010169_zpse89b9947.jpg.html)

http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/s562/_JamesT5/P1010172_zps7b4cd262.jpg (http://s1306.photobucket.com/user/_JamesT5/media/P1010172_zps7b4cd262.jpg.html)

http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/s562/_JamesT5/P1010175_zps68088163.jpg (http://s1306.photobucket.com/user/_JamesT5/media/P1010175_zps68088163.jpg.html)

http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/s562/_JamesT5/P1010174_zps2678518b.jpg (http://s1306.photobucket.com/user/_JamesT5/media/P1010174_zps2678518b.jpg.html)

http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/s562/_JamesT5/P1010176_zps5ec09e5b.jpg (http://s1306.photobucket.com/user/_JamesT5/media/P1010176_zps5ec09e5b.jpg.html)

I also happened to find this jubilee clip loose on the pipe that runs in to the inlet pipe near the turbo. When I traced it, it seems to go somewhere under the intake manifold! :shockedbi

http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/s562/_JamesT5/P1010165_zps4fa6650d.jpg (http://s1306.photobucket.com/user/_JamesT5/media/P1010165_zps4fa6650d.jpg.html)

It must have been left like that from the turbo refurb but I've tightened it up now so it's ok. :D

[t5 pete]

http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/s562/_JamesT5/P1010175_zps68088163.jpg (http://s1306.photobucket.com/user/_JamesT5/media/P1010175_zps68088163.jpg.html)

They do make a great difference
I know you like chemical metal but have you now resorted to masking tape to hold your ratchet together

[JamesT5]

http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/s562/_JamesT5/P1010175_zps68088163.jpg (http://s1306.photobucket.com/user/_JamesT5/media/P1010175_zps68088163.jpg.html)

They do make a great difference
I know you like chemical metal but have you now resorted to ,masking tape to hold your ratchet together

Lol, it's ok Pete, I just had that on from the wheel refurb so I didn't mark my new wheel with the wrench - I just never got around to taking the tape off. ;)

[deathrider311271]

they do make a huge difference got these fitted to both my V70 and S70. Tip if you do them again, use some lubricant next time makes them slide in much easier lol

[JamesT5]

Lol, it's ok Pete, I just had that on from the wheel refurb so I didn't mark my new wheel with the wrench - I just never got around to taking the tape off. ;)

To be fair, these went it really easily which probably says something about the general state of my subframe bushes.

[abdul]

Need to find mine and fit them

[abdul]

Thanks James t5 for taking pictures

[JamesT5]

Need to find mine and fit them

It's amazing how much a little bit of Polyurethane makes to the feel of the car.

[JamesT5]

18mm socket needed for the front bolts and and 18mm plus a 14mm socket needed for the rear ones.

[JamesT5]

Been for another run around in the T5 today and I was still gobsmacked at how much better the car is, less rattles, squeaks and knocks than before. he best £25 I've spent in a long time! :D :beer:

[volvokid]

Cool I will have a go at mine after seeing this

[M-R-P]

Must get round to doing mine now then. Had them in a box in the shed for ages.

Time and tide etc...

[JamesT5]

Cool I will have a go at mine after seeing this

Well worth it mate! If you've got an ultra high miler like I have then the chances are the subframe bushings are probably pretty shot. These inserts take up the space and cut down on the amount of movement in the subframe to chassis and it's like I've wound the clock back a few years on the handling side.

Some people say they didn't notice any difference but that really surprises me because the difference is night and day. Easy to fit as well!

[JamesT5]

Must get round to doing mine now then. Had them in a box in the shed for ages.

Time and tide etc...

It'll take you 30 minutes Martin, I know what you're like. It took me a little longer because I spend so long farting around with trying to get the axle stands in the right place and my trolley jack isn't the best either. I'd advise using the breaker bar to crack off the subframe bolts because it was like pulling teeth trying to shift them. Big buggers too!

[M-R-P]

It'll take you 30 minutes Martin, I know what you're like. It took me a little longer because I spend so long farting around with trying to get the axle stands in the right place and my trolley jack isn't the best either. I'd advise using the breaker bar to crack off the subframe bolts because it was like pulling teeth trying to shift them. Big buggers too!

Aaah but you've seen how I crack stiff bolts James. :)

[JamesT5]

It does seem that each time I add another polybush the car transforms up a level. I've seen a bush by bush improvement in the feel of the car and once the back end it done I'll have a very solid P2.

Now why can't I buy polyurethane strut top spring seats? Now there's an idea!

[JamesT5]

Aaah but you've seen how I crack stiff bolts James. :)

Yes, I have. I think it involves cutting your chin on the brake rota..... ;) :B_thumb:

[Jamest5r]

Must get round to doing mine now then. Had them in a box in the shed for ages.

Time and tide etc...

Had mine in the glovebox for over a year..... can't say I noticed a difference :)

[Volvostorm]

Got them in mine too, its been a while since I drove it, so, I can't remember what it felt like before, but, it does feel very solid now :)

[M-R-P]

Yes, I have. I think it involves cutting your chin on the brake rota..... ;) :B_thumb:

Less painful than having someone drop a macphearson strut, driveshaft assembly, wishbone and hub on your hand...

Hahahhaahaa

:hilarious

[abdul]

How hard is it to change the subframe bushes and whats involved to do it

[M-R-P]

You mean changing the actual bushes or just fitting the inserts?

Changing the bushes is probably a right ball ache tbh.

[abdul]

Changing the bushes

[abdul]

Putting new bushes then fitting the inserts

[M-R-P]

Changing the bushes

Yeah, probably a right pain in the arse.... Fitting inserts has gotta be the way to go, surely.

[JamesT5]

Just fit inserts, they take up the 'slack' left behind by worn bushings.

[JamesT5]

By the way, do one bush insert at a time and only have one bolt out at a time unless you want your engine to potentially fall out on to the tarmac. :D

[M-R-P]

Lol, there's a bit more holding the engine up than the subframe James.

[JT]

Putting new bushes then fitting the inserts

If your going to the trouble of removing the bushes,
Replace them with solid ones, they make a massive difference!! :smile:

My nephew drove my car the other day and now wants a set for his! Lol

[p fandango]

If your going to the trouble of removing the bushes,
Replace them with solid ones, they make a massive difference!! :smile:
http://imageshack.com/a/img22/5372/img0864hr.jpg

[M-R-P]

http://imageshack.com/a/img22/5372/img0864hr.jpg

They're not gonna make much difference to handling if you hang the subframe from the garage wall Duane :D

[claymore]

Just fit inserts, they take up the 'slack' left behind by worn bushings.

The purpose of the bush inserts isn't to compensate for knackered bushes, it's to improve subframe location, so would it not have been better to fit new bushes first, after all you have black polybush everywhere but worn out subframe bushes?

[silverhorse]

LINKY for where to buy good 'uns please someone!!!

PS Good work James!

[JamesT5]

The purpose of the bush inserts isn't to compensate for knackered bushes, it's to improve subframe location, so would it not have been better to fit new bushes first, after all you have black polybush everywhere but worn out subframe bushes?

Thing is, are my bushings knackered? Who knows but I can tell you the inserts have made a massive difference. :D

[Jimmie]

Cool I will have a go at mine after seeing this

You don't know where they are and neither do i .
I did put them in a safe place though.

[claymore]

Thing is, are my bushings knackered? Who knows but I can tell you the inserts have made a massive difference. :D
You wouldn't push the inserts half way in by hand even with a lot of lube on them if the bushes were any good, and you would have almost certainly broke the insert pushing it in with a socket on one side of the insert.
so for people thinking of doing it, yes it is straight forward but it won't be quite as easy as James's if your bushes are in decent condition to start with.

[p fandango]

They're not gonna make much difference to handling if you hang the subframe from the garage wall Duane :D
alot easier to fit onto the spare subframe than its going to be putting them onto a car lol

[volvokid]

You don't know where they are and neither do i .
I did put them in a safe place though.

Haha there in a box in your office unless you have relocated them again

[stribo]

They're not gonna make much difference to handling if you hang the subframe from the garage wall Duane :D

His car never moves, so it doesn't matter what it handles like. ;)

[LeeT5]

I've been busy today, I went out and after a year of them sitting in a box, I fitted my 4 x subframe bush inserts I got from 'Sponge'. It's made a huge difference to the car and I'm impressed with how much more 'solid' the ride feels under my bum. There is a little more road vibration than before but the cornering and handling feels miles better and I'm waiting to see if it's cured my front o/s 'rattle' on rough surfaces as it could have been subframe related - only time and driving will tell me that.

Anyway, once I got the bolt out these were pretty easy to fit, I managed to push them around half way in by hand and then used the trolley jack with a 24mm socket on the end to gently press it in to the void. Then all the bolt was refitted and done up as "FT" and I was done. Top job! :beer: :B_thumb: :D

It must have been left like that from the turbo refurb but I've tightened it up now so it's ok. :D

Correct torque setting for the large subframe bush bolt is 77ft/lb + 120 degrees.

The smaller 14mm bolts on the rear subframe bush plates should be tightened to 37ft/lb.

Also, you should have applied thread lock to the bolt, not reinsert dry.

As mentioned, lubricant should have also been used on the inserts. This prevents them from 'creaking' under torsional stress.

N.B. What I have just written is not for James benefit cos he doesn't like me and he will choose not to listen to me, it's for anyone else reading the thread. Hopefully, they will install there's correctly and not risk stripping the threads on the Subframe by doing up the bolts -'FT'.

Here's a 4 minute video from IPD on how to do the job properly...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGEfWjxISyE

[Harvey]

Bit more info.

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r499/harveysr/89a0f387810051990f3342b573eb3cd2_zpsb69093f1.jpg

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r499/harveysr/3637c6e6af6931bab5e7ccac851e9c9b_zps7e58fa06.jpg

[JamesT5]

I've noticed the wheel alignment has improved and the wheel now sits in a better position, it self-centers much more readily and the car seems to hold a straight line better than before.

Note to LeeT5, yes I did have a 4 wheel alignment to make sure the rest of the car was right first and yes they did use the correct Volvo V70 profile on the machine and yes the technician was suitable trained to use the equipment - just sayin'..... :haha:

[JamesT5]

Correct torque setting for the large subframe bush bolt is 77ft/lb + 120 degrees.

The smaller 14mm bolts on the rear subframe bush plates should be tightened to 37ft/lb.

Also, you should have applied thread lock to the bolt, not reinsert dry.

As mentioned, lubricant should have also been used on the inserts. This prevents them from 'creaking' under torsional stress.

N.B. What I have just written is not for James benefit cos he doesn't like me and he will choose not to listen to me, it's for anyone else reading the thread. Hopefully, they will install there's correctly and not risk stripping the threads on the Subframe by doing up the bolts -'FT'.

Here's a 4 minute video from IPD on how to do the job properly...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGEfWjxISyE

You're right....... I don't like you. The car is fine, I didn't strip the thread on the bolts so it really doesn't matter. Plus the car doesn't creak "under torsional stress", in fact it's never been so quiet and rattle free.

So there!

[volvokid]

Correct torque setting for the large subframe bush bolt is 77ft/lb + 120 degrees.

The smaller 14mm bolts on the rear subframe bush plates should be tightened to 37ft/lb.

Also, you should have applied thread lock to the bolt, not reinsert dry.

As mentioned, lubricant should have also been used on the inserts. This prevents them from 'creaking' under torsional stress.

N.B. What I have just written is not for James benefit cos he doesn't like me and he will choose not to listen to me, it's for anyone else reading the thread. Hopefully, they will install there's correctly and not risk stripping the threads on the Subframe by doing up the bolts -'FT'.

Here's a 4 minute video from IPD on how to do the job properly...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGEfWjxISyE

That's brilliant I did wonder what to torque them too. I'm just going to use DC4 grease that will do the trick.

[abdul]

Angle teghtning to 120 degree how do u do that not shown on video

[silverhorse]

Angle teghtning to 120 degree how do u do that not shown on video

Tighten to stated torque setting, then add another 120 degrees of turn, which is '20 minutes on a clock face'.
Where is a good place to get some of these please chaps? Ta

[abdul]

Tighten to stated torque setting, then add another 120 degrees of turn, which is '20 minutes on a clock face'.
Where is a good place to get some of these please chaps? Ta

Partsforvolvosonline.co.uk or eurocarparts try rufe to see what the price is at the dealer

[LeeT5]

Tighten to stated torque setting, then add another 120 degrees of turn, which is '20 minutes on a clock face'.
Where is a good place to get some of these please chaps? Ta

Some of what?

Subframe bolts or the poly inserts?

[abdul]

Some of what?

Subframe bolts or the poly inserts?

Good question I thought he meant the sub frame bushes

[abdul]

If u are after the inserts try sponge on t5d5.org

[abdul]

If I was to put new bushes would I have to hold the engine up in order to do or can I just take sub frame off and replace bushes

[LeeT5]

If I was to put new bushes would I have to hold the engine up in order to do or can I just take sub frame off and replace bushes

Yes. you hold the engine up with one hand and insert said bush with the other! Make sure you've had your Weetabix!! :wink:

[stephenevans99]

I found if you position yourself sideways, you can support the entire engine with your shoulder :)




DISCLAIMER
I take no responsibility for the serious injury or death that will occur after following any of my advice

[JamesT5]

If I was to put new bushes would I have to hold the engine up in order to do or can I just take sub frame off and replace bushes


I did one at a time mate, much easier and then you always have 3 bolts holding the subframe in place whilst you do the work.

[JamesT5]

If I was to put new bushes would I have to hold the engine up in order to do or can I just take sub frame off and replace bushes

By the way, wait until you feel the difference afterwards, my car was transformed by these inserts and has never felt so good on the road. :D

[stribo]

If I was to put new bushes would I have to hold the engine up in order to do or can I just take sub frame off and replace bushes


I did one at a time mate, much easier and then you always have 3 bolts holding the subframe in place whilst you do the work.

Just make sure you support the part of the subframe you've unbolted with a jack. :D