Subframe Bush Inserts S60 & V70

[stephenevans99]

Just fitted my subframe bush inserts that I bought from Sponge over on T5D5, he got the idea from IPD with the aim of stiffening the front subframe on S60 and V70s - a mould was made and after a few trial and errors he came up with these inserts:



I was a little wary of fitting them tbh as I didn't want an increase in vibration or cabin noise - but there would only be one way to find out....

First job was to jack the car up and remove the front wheels, removing the wheels isn't entirely necessary but it certainly gives you more room when fitting the rear bushes. The bushes are to be changed one at a time for obvious reasons.

The front bushes are accessed by removing the 18mm bolt and washer, I placed an axle stand close to the corner of the subframe to minimise any movement as I took the bolt out. The bolt is approx 4inches in length and once it's untightened can easily be removed by hand.



Once the bolt and washer has been removed, your left looking up at the subframe bush:



I gave the insert a nice coating of copper grease to help it locate into the rubber bush, you can get the insert to locate so far just by hand, but then it needs to be pressed in with a trolley jack and a very large size socket. Once the trolley jack is positioned, the insert slides into the bush with no effort whatsoever.





I noticed that after I had lowered & removed the trolley jack, the insert dropped about 1/4 inch - this was nothing to worry about as the bolt & washer would push it further into the bush and seat it correctly:





Volvo recommended replacing the subframe bushes after they have been removed, instead I just gave them a little wirebrush, a light coat of copper grease and more importantly some Thread Lock or LocTite.

The front 18mm bolts are to be tightened to 77ftlbs + 120 degrees.

The rear subframe bushes are almost identical in procedure except with the 18mm bolt there are two 14mm bolts that are also removed in order to remove the rear subframe bracket:



Same procedure with coating the insert with copper grease then pressing it in with the trolley jack and large socket, remembering to put Loctite on all the bolts.

The 14mm bolts are torqued up to 37ftlbs.

Refit wheels and remove axle stands - total time taken was approx 40 minutes.

Got cleaned up and decided to take the car for a few mile to see if there was any difference. Held my breath as I turned the key, half expecting the cold D5 to shake and vibrate through the car - the car fired up with absolute no change in noise or vibration apart from the usual agricultural D5 noises and vibrations!!

Drove the car for approx 5 mile through the village and country lanes, tbh I can't say that there is a definite improvement or any improvement whatsoever. Other people who have fitted the inserts have reported that the car handles better at speed - we will have to wait and see.

For less than £20 and 40 minutes work - it's gotta be worth it.

[Harvey]

I think they could just be on my shopping list,nice right up.