Volvo RWD 200 Forum

INDEX FOR 10/2025(CURRENT) INDEX FOR 2/2013 200 INDEX

[<<]  [>>]


THREADED THREADED EXPANDED FLAT PRINT ALL
MESSAGES IN THIS THREAD




  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

Confused about torque rod bushing orientation 200

Last fall a mechanic helped me install some cheap rubber torque rod bushings, from Groton, in my '86 245. All four are shot after less than 3K miles, so I'm trying again with similar bushings from IPD. (I realize now that I could've gone for the urethane bushings, but it's too late.) Anyhow, I took the rods and new bushings to a machine shop and explained that while I wasn't sure of the proper orientation, I guessed that the solid rubber sides should be in line with the length of the rod. Half an hour later the guy came back to the counter, having installed the bushings at 90 degrees to what I suggested. I don't want to have to pull these off the car again, so I'm trying clarify the issue.

A search of old threads has turned up contradictory and confusing information. The most authoritative source seems to be the one quoted by Dan Foster:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here's a quote from the factory Rear Wheel Suspension manual (I love ebay!)

(They call it a "reaction rod")

"Note! Position the bushings in the reaction rod so that the flat sides are parallel to the rod."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My problem is that these bushings don't have flat sides anywhere on them, so I don't know how to interpret the instruction. Can anyone help?








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

    Confused about torque rod bushing orientation 200

    With the rubber bushings you do need to do the final tightening (torque) with the car on the ground. Dan








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

    Confused about torque rod bushing orientation 200

    For the replacement, buy poly bushings, which have no orientation, cost a reasonable amount, last far longer and perform very well. Since they don't use the steel shell, you can cut the old ones out carefully with a hacksaw and press them in with dish soap.

    The aftermarket rubber stuff is disappointing-- I bought them from FCPgroton.com and paid to have them pressed in and they lasted about 2.5 mos. I now use poly wherever possible, with no complaints to date (240 torque rods and 940 cone bushings).

    Better handling, longer wearing, easily installed and not particularly expensive-- this makes poly a DIY dream...

    Good luck!
    --
    Herb Goltz, Aurora, Ontario, Canada '92 245 140K mi, '92 945t 210K mi








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

    Confused about torque rod bushing orientation 200

    You are correct the machine shop is wrong. Dan








    •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

      Confused about torque rod bushing orientation 200

      Here's something else: A tech at IPD just told be the machine shop was correct.








      •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

        Confused about torque rod bushing orientation 200

        jholmes:

        I'll vote on the side of IPD for the following reason: Rubber bushings with this type of configuration are meant to work in tension, not compression. Compression would cause the "fingers" to fold and rub against itself... add dirt, and before you know it they'll grind themselves to bits. If the "fingers" are oriented up and down, they are always operating in tension... which is a good thing.

        jorrell
        --
        92 245 250K miles, IPD'd to the hilt, 06 XC70, 00 Eclipse custom Turbo setup...currently taking names and kicking reputations!








        •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

          Confused about torque rod bushing orientation 200

          All the original torque rod bushings I have removed were oriented with the rubber front to back? To me the front to back motion is what you are trying to control? I did 4 sets last winter.
          I just searched the archives and found the answer I like! http://www.brickboard.com/RWD/index.htm?id=1029892

          Dan








          •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

            Confused about torque rod bushing orientation 200

            Hard to argue with Lucid! It appears there are two schools of thought here. I know that on our 92 245, the orientation was with the fingers up and down, but they were so thrashed that even the welds were cracked.

            Perhaps we should wait for a response from Art B... one person's experience I will not question.

            jorrell
            --
            92 245 250K miles, IPD'd to the hilt, 06 XC70, 00 Eclipse custom Turbo setup...currently taking names and kicking reputations!








            •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

              Confused about torque rod bushing orientation 200

              I like Herb's solution best, use poly then it doesn't matter. Dan








              •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

                Confused about torque rod bushing orientation 200

                Agreed, that's the solution I chose. That being said, we still need to find a solution for the original question.

                jorrell
                --
                92 245 250K miles, IPD'd to the hilt, 06 XC70, 00 Eclipse custom Turbo setup...currently taking names and kicking reputations!







<< < > >>



©Jarrod Stenberg 1997-2022. All material except where indicated.


All participants agree to these terms.

Brickboard.com is not affiliated with nor sponsored by AB Volvo, Volvo Car Corporation, Volvo Cars of North America, Inc. or Ford Motor Company. Brickboard.com is a Volvo owner/enthusiast site, similar to a club, and does not intend to pose as an official Volvo site. The official Volvo site can be found here.