Hello, Is it true that I will need a front end alignment if I replace my ball joints? Is there anything I should know about this job that will save me some trouble. This is my first time replacing ball joints. It looks relatively straighforward in the manual, but nothing ever seems to be quite that easy for me. Thanks Kenneth

I had an alighnment problem (too much negative camber) on my 1st ball-joint replacement ('78 245). It was due to the "slop" in the 3 control arm mounting bolt holes.

It failed the CT inspection, after which I could see the "knock-kneed" angle by eye, looking at the front of the car from some 30'away.

I jacked both wheels off the ground, loosened the BJ bolts, and drove the lower end inboard to take up the hole slop, then tightened things up again.

It passed the retest easily. Since then I've followed that procedure on 6 or 8 BJ jobs and, based on steering and tire wear, have never felt the need for an alignment.

I suppose that slop in the bolt holes could also affect caster, but I doubt if a degree or so would be enough to affect normal driving. At least I haven't noticed anything that could be attributed to caster.
--
Bruce Young
'93 940-NA (current), 240s (one V8), 140s, 122s, since '63.

Yeah, you need an alignment when you're done. Not so much so that you can't drive the car, but it'll have to be done.

The good news is that it is as strightforward as it looks. Biggest problem I had was getting the strut bottom plate bolts out. Volvo was fond of smearing red threadlock all over everything. Lots of penetrating oil did the trick for me. Be sure to have redundant tools on hand. You'll need two of the same size wrenches (17mm if I remember right, but perhaps 19mm) one to turn the inboard bolt and one to hold the nut. You'll need jackstands to hold the car up and a jack to put under the control arms.

And while you're at it, bring a big pair of channellocks to check the play in the tierod ends. I got mine all put together and took it in for the alignment job, only to find out I needed tierods.

Have fun.
-EdM.
--
'90 240DL Wagon 'Lola' -- '72 1800ES 'Galadriel'

BTW: it's neither 17mm nor 19mm. I checked. It's 18mm.

-EdM.
--
'90 240DL Wagon 'Lola' -- '72 1800ES 'Galadriel'