Can anyone give me an estimate as to what kind of labor is involved in changing the front control arm bushings? The last post that discusses the rubbery squeaks (particularly in cold weather) is dead on as to what I've been experiencing over the past couple years in the winter.

I know the FCP's front end kit is $70.00 which includes new ball joints, etc. Would it be feasible to change out everything in the kit, particularly if the ball joints, etc. are all original at 122k miles, versus than just the bushings? If I chose to do the kit, what kind of labor is needed for it?

An alignment is needed no matter what, right?

I'm debating about holding out as long as I can until I need the front struts replaced. I don't want to pay extra for two alignments and extra labor twice.

The car drives fine, however, the front suspension could definnitely be tightened up, but overall, she runs good. Struts were replaced about 4 years ago.

Thoughts?
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Regards,
Eric Staufer,
'89 244DL 121k
My 240 Page (new window)

I removed the control arms myself then took them to a machine shop that had a hydrolic press. They pressed all four out and four new ones in for $25. Save the labor and remove the part yourself.

you have to figure about $70 hr. rate and 2-3 hours.Here are some problems I ran across and let the Volvo mechanic handle.
1- one of the front control arm bushings [the large one] was replaced incorrectly by the P.O. The bushing was peened in place.New bracket ordered $43 wholesale.Also the bushings were frozen in place with rust.Needed to "burn' them out.
2- tie rods replaced, Once again more heat! A lot more heat.
3 - ball joints replaced - did someone say more heat?
4 - Blistein struts.Don't fit! Called Co. they say you have to ground off their new sticker on the shock along with most of the yellow paint.paint dust everywhere.
5- rear Bilsteins now need to be shimmed! slight noise over bumps.
6- at least the IPD sway bars went on without a hitch
7- rear trailing arm bushing easy with the right tool
8 torque rod bushings - use polyurethane only to avoid any noises from a misshapen rod opening.
9 - front trailing arm bushings[in rear].track rod bushings,and the small control arm bushings[in the front] very rarely go bad. no need to replace.
Good luck!
Nelson

Hey Eric,

Labor should really be only a couple of hours (per my Volvo Mechanic & family friend). When I was looking to install the front end kit I purchased from FCP he told me he would charge me 2-3 hours, 4 if something was a PITA to get out. He also advised me that the FRONT Control Arm Bushings last A LOT longer than the Rear Control Arm Bushings. I decided to tackle this job myself and was VERY SATISFIED with the results. I did the entire front end (minis the inner tie rods, rack boots, and strut mounts and strut inserts) in about 3 hours by myself. The Rear Control Arm Bushings are really easy to hammer out on your own if you have a soft brass mallet, a bench with a vice or some C-Clamps. After hammering out the Rear Bushings take the new bushings out of the frezzer (this makes them shrink just enough) and hammer them back into the control arm. If your Front Control Arm Bushings are intact then that is one less this you have to do. The ball joints were a piece of cake and the sway bar bushings & links were easy. When doing the outer tie rod ends count the number of turns as you take off the old ones so you know how many turns the new ones need to go in thus keeping your alignment in fairly good shape. If you really want to do a quality job and save your self some money grab some tools and get started on a friday after work. I would recommend getting all the parts you plan to replace and doing it all at once. I still need those tie rods, boots, struts inserts and mounts so that just one more job I have to do.

By far this is one of the most rewarding things I have done to my 264GL that has made me really enjoy driving this car and makes my wife happy I kept it. I also installed a 25MM IPD Front Sway Bar (from the junkyard for $10, what a steal) and that just made everything feel some much more solid. I use to have clunks and squeaks everytime I ran over a rock on the road and now I have one QUIET car. I can not wait to finish the front end with the last set of parts I have. Good Luck!

P.S. Nice web-site you have.

Sincerely,
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Nickvjr

1979 264GL B27F 121K

Features Added:

Central Locking System, 25mm IPD Front Sway Bar, 81+ Dash W/ Oil & Ambient Temp Gauges In C, Oil Pressure, Volts

Next Project:

Add Cruise & BW55 Swap To A M46

The estimate I got from my mechanic (volvo specialist) for two control arm bushings plus labor ($70/hr) came to: $188 -- I figured it wouldn't be a difficult job but just haven't had the time to do it yet............

Hope this helps