Suspension: Front End Shake 700 Series

Disclaimer: Direct from ipd’s Tech Tip archive!  This tech tip contains information from previous publications.  Products mentioned may not be available or the information may not be accurate due to changes in supply, manufacturing, or part number association.  Please contact ipd Customer Support if you have further questions  info@ipdusa.com

Symptoms Include:

• Harsh steering under braking conditions
• Steering wheel shimmy & accelerated tire wear

The strut rod bushings in the front suspension are a high wear compo-nent. Even though Volvo has upgraded the replacement bushing several times over the years, our experience tells us that these bushings should be checked every 20,000 miles and replaced if worn or at 50,000 mile intervals.

The design of this bushing is now in its third generation since the introduction of the car. Early models had a simple rubber grommet with a steel sleeve as a spacer, which was updated to a design with a steel cone in 1987. About 4 years ago this second design received some additional rubber bolstering to increase strength and longevity, bringing it to a third format and most current design. We offer the latest version as well as a heavy duty version in polyurethane.

NO PRESS REQUIRED!

Raise and support the vehicle as described in your workshop manual. Remove front wheels.

Remove the strut rod-to-control arm bolt (A) first and then the nut/bolt combination from the radius rod-to-subframe connection (B). Remove the strut rod.

Replace bushings and washers and reinstall the strut rod. Do not fully tighten the subframe end until the car is back on the ground.