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  1. #1
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    V70R C70 Convertible Subrame Conversion

    Hey folks, been a while since I've been on here....possibly 2 years???

    Not much has happened in those 2 years, just been taking advantage of an ultra reliable car after all the work done over the years, not had any issues apart from a blown samco hose!

    I have however just passed the 190k mark and with MOT just round the corner I have noticed my front end being very sloppy and clunky..... knackered lower arms etc as per usual. So not to muck about, I decided that all the engine and subframe mounts should be changed... lets say a 'stage 0' on the front chassis. My suspension is only 3 years old and the steering rack only 2 years, so those parts can stay

    I was considering using a std 2 bolts lower arm subframe with polybushes, however in the end I opted for something a little different.

    Just to remind you of the car






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    hemihusky (Saturday 14th March 2015),jamesy12345 (Friday 13th March 2015)

  3. #2
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    I picked up a complete subframe from a C70 convertible, which has the added bonus of solid subframe mounts along with extra braces to stiffen up the chassis..... in a proper mingin state!








    Then consulted the trusty Volvo assembly diagrams....



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    craigoodwood (Friday 13th March 2015)

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    All parts then totally degreased with 'Gunk' and heavily jet-washed.....






    I would usually have the subframe blasted & powdercoated, however I didn't want to disturb the solid mounts, so a good few hours of wire-brushing and a number of cans of zinc galvanised spray will do the trick...









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    Obviously there are a few subtle differences between the two subframes, with the C70 convertible having an extra 'mount' (can't confirm what for though!) which has a small boxing mount which I decided to remove just in case of any clearance issues....


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  7. #5
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    Then I've decided to stick with the 20mm ARB as I just find the 22mm IPD version too stiff for our roads... so decided to add polybushes rather than buying another new one from Volvo. I know what a git these are to change and my std one on the car now is fine but after 50k makes sense to do this while it's easy

    I just angle grind the brackets each side to expose the bush, then use a wood saw to cut the majority of the rubber off... followed by a drill paint / varnish stripper (£5 from screwfix - awesome tool!!) to strip the rest of the rubber and paint off the ARB.







    Painted red..... jobs a good one

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    abdul (Monday 23rd March 2015)

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    Then bought a load of new goodies ....including new MAF o2 sensor and ANOTHER PAS pump



    Trick is to remember to buy the correct fixings for the convertible as they have longer subframe bolts etc!!!

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    abdul (Monday 23rd March 2015)

  11. #7
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    ....and C70 steering stops so that 18 inch wheels don't rub

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    abdul (Monday 23rd March 2015)

  13. #8
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    I've just got to finish cleaning up the rear frame which bolts up underneath the prop tunnel..... but on the final assembly line now..... in my living room








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    I was going to do a full build thread once I've installed it on the car, but I thought I'd ask the question if anyone on here has done this conversion before?

    Could anyone advise if I've missed anything?

    Cheers folks.... that's it for now

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  15. #10
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    You've not painted the rear part, and you have a length of skirting missing

    Looks like a top job though

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    MA'R'K (Monday 23rd March 2015)

  17. #11
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    Still more fettling needed,
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    I did look at swapping subframes, or adding the rear strengthener when I had a cabbie, but didn't bother in the end. Looks like you've got all bases covered, apart from a bit of D.I.Y.

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    MA'R'K (Monday 23rd March 2015)

  19. #12
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    Hello stranger


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    'ow do! I have sometimes wondered what would happen if I strapped some extra pig iron to my own car
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    Thats a VERY neat looking car and a great idea to swap over to the C70 convertible subframe during normal maintenance work.

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    MA'R'K (Monday 23rd March 2015)

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    i went for the UR racing braces, looks like the C70 brace inside the subframe would still fit




  24. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by MA'R'K View Post
    Could anyone advise if I've missed anything?
    track rod ends

  25. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by MA'R'K View Post
    Obviously there are a few subtle differences between the two subframes, with the C70 convertible having an extra 'mount' (can't confirm what for though!) which has a small boxing mount which I decided to remove just in case of any clearance issues....
    That mount is used for a gearbox mounting, my AWD has one instead of a rear engine mount (as the angle gear is in the way).

    You can see the mounting attached to the subframe in the first pic of post #2. It basically bolts to the end of the gearbox.

    Not sure why a C70 would have one unless it doesn't have a rear engine support for whatever reason, or maybe it was there for extra bracing like the other C70 parts on the subframe.
    1996 Olive Green 850 AWD - Follow the Project - Forged rods, 19T, big blue injectors, 960 TB, 3.25" MAF, Ostrich, 608 binary, arduino data display, active exhaust control with Focus RS tips, 320mm front brake conversion.
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  26. #18
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    mmmm tritons! also may i say i looked at your engine bay and fainted! that is shockingly good. lookin forward to seeing if this C70 brace improves it =) i been looking at the ultra racing stuff a lot recently being tempted to stiffen up the old black barge of a T-5R XD
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  28. #19
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    Hi folks.... finished the subframe conversion eventually! All I can say is my car has never gone round corners like this... having done a good few laps of my usual routes over the past days, I can't remember being able to attack certain corners like I can now since I had my go-kart MK2 Golf!













    Thanks for all the positive comments as per usual

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  29. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by Doingitsideways View Post
    You've not painted the rear part, and you have a length of skirting missing

    Looks like a top job though
    ....no I hadn't, very true.... I have now though

    And yes I do have a lot of decorating to do...... after I've finished suing the surveyors for negligence..... hence the empty house being used as a workshop

    WHY DOESN'T MY SIGNATURE WORK??? ...IT DOES NOW! :-)

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    Doingitsideways (Monday 23rd March 2015)


 

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