Replacing suspension bushes - poor handling

[cbhatt]

Currently my S60 '02 handles like a boat. I think that the bushes have too much play in them or are perished. So I have a list of questions - perhaps some people can provide further advice?

1. Can anyone provide a list of all the bushes that can affect handling?
2. Are they easy to replace (I do not have much experience of mechanics but I know one end of a spanner from the other :-))?
3. Are there any earlier posts that provide step by step guides on how to replace them?
4. Anyone done this before and have advice / recommendations on parts / methods?
5. If anyone has a Haynes manual for the V70 - does it include the method for bush replacements and is it similar to the S60?

On a side note - I notice QBM provide a strut bar conversion - does it really make a difference and does anyone know where it can be purchased in the UK rather than importing from the US?

Thanks in advance.

Cbhatt

[Redbrick]

Currently my S60 '02 handles like a boat. I think that the bushes have too much play in them or are perished. So I have a list of questions - perhaps some people can provide further advice?

1. Can anyone provide a list of all the bushes that can affect handling?

Look on the Powerflex website. Mainly the front wishbone bushes on the S60's/V70's but any failed bush will affect handling. How many miles on your 60, shocks may need renewing.

2. Are they easy to replace (I do not have much experience of mechanics but I know one end of a spanner from the other :-))?

Not for the faint hearted to be honest.

3. Are there any earlier posts that provide step by step guides on how to replace them?

I did one but it has been lost in the forum crash.

4. Anyone done this before and have advice / recommendations on parts / methods?

I managed to ruin a drive shaft doing my bushes so to be honest I would pay a pro to do it rather than get my hands dirty and have all that hastle.

5. If anyone has a Haynes manual for the V70 - does it include the method for bush replacements and is it similar to the S60?

No it doesn't, it says to entrust the work to a dealer!!

On a side note - I notice QBM provide a strut bar conversion - does it really make a difference and does anyone know where it can be purchased in the UK rather than importing from the US?

Yes it makes a small difference if you've done the bushes and replaced the shocks- not much point if you haven't. Don't know if available in the UK.

Thanks in advance.

Cbhatt

HTH Andy

[cbhatt]

Thanks Andy for the comprehensive advice.

Had shocks replaced 12k ago - car has now done 96k. Bushes probably gone due to "enthusiastic" (sp?) driving - it's a heavy car - not really designed for flinging round corners.

Will take the advice and hand over hard earned cash to a volvo indy somewhere and get all the bushes done so it tightens the car up.

Ta,

Chris

[dave stew]

I did the front wishbone bushes in the easiest way - got a set of wishbones on an 'exchange' basis and got my friend (who is a Porsche specialist and has a big hydraulic press) replace the front ones with Powerflex and the rear ones for standard Volvo rubber ones.
A few days later, he then swapped the wishbones around - it took about three hours. Just be very careful not to pull the driveshafts out of their inner joints. We used cable ties to keep them in place.

This is a massive improvement - probably one of the best things you can do to a P2, it cuts the torque steer dramatically and has no adverse affects.

If anyone is interested, my friend John refurbs wishbones so you can take them to your local garage and get them to change the old ones without having to worry about pressing out old bushes etc.

Anyone interested, pm me.