AboutRay Niemi Expertise ASE Master Rated. Ask any questions about Volvo models up to 2000. Runnability, starting and charging system, diagnostic codes, brakes, front end, where to get certain parts. Should I buy this Volvo or not? I will try to answer your question and give you the knowlege to make the best decision in your case.
Experience I started working on Volvo's in 1978 at the dealer and attended all the schools and achieved a Master rating. Since 1999 I have worked at independent shops and now own my own shop.
Organizations Alldata on line repair manuals. IATN network of techs.
ASE rating of Master.
Expert: Ray Niemi Date: 6/17/2008 Subject: Volvo S60 front suspension
Question Our Volvo has a rattle in the front end whenever we go over a bump or pothole. A repair shop tells me that the bushings in the control arms and stabilizer bar need replacement. They say that you cannot just replace the bushings, but must replace the whole lower control arm and stabilizer. Is this true? The cost for everything is estimated at $1,000 including labor. Can you shed some light on this for me?
Answer Glenn,
Most times when you buy the control arm the bushings are already pressed in. If you find and I think that you can, the bushings seprate they will need to be pressed in. So that will incease the down time and labor. So all in all going with new control arms instead of pressing the old ones the price will end up about the same. At my shop I always go with new arms, just makes the job go faster and a bit easier. When I tried to have bushings pressed in at the machine shop there was a wait time along with the possibility of damage to a bushing and then a reorder time.
