Well as I was replacing the pinion shaft seal on my rear axle I greased my propshaft bearing and had a long and hard look at my reaction arm bushings (the four fitted at on the higher side of the suspension.) Bits of rubber were hanging out and it was squicking all over the place.

Got the two arms out and the old bushing removed and -hell why not- decided to go a bit upmarket and fitted polyurethane bushing instead. $50 in total and nice fit (Volvo parts would have cost me $65).

Ride is real nice, drive train is nice and stiff and it does no longer feel wobbly on acceleration.

However.. I do have (a lot) more road noise from the back and if I am a bit low in gear (below 1500 rpm) there is a distinct low frequency hum. I guess that is becouse the bushings are much stiffer.

Will it improve over time, or do I have to learn to live with it? I am due for new tyres, should I look at tyres with less road noice? Has anybody else experience with this?

Reg,

Jorn

Hi John, I also have a 245, a 1990 model. I put in the polyurethane bushings that you did, and after about 8 or 9 thousand miles (14000 km) the bushings have not gotten any softer, and the road noise is still the same. I have gotten used to it, though.

Greg