Should I try to change the bushings on my 1995 940 T myself? Getting a bit of a clunk sometimes over potholes.

I've never done bushings before... and I'm curious how hard a job it is in comparison to other common tasks.

I've done brakes, rotors, changed all the coolant hoses and belts. But somehow the thought of working under the car trying to press out the bushings seems daunting.

I'd be willing to give it a go, but wonder if it's one of those jobs where I'd be cursing a blue streak for 3 days out in the carport?

Thanks for your opinions.

Which bushings? If you are talking about the lower strut rod bushings, the ones on the front of the strut rod that go into the lower control arm then yes, they are a snap to do. They are even easier if you change them out to the urethane style bushings and the urethanne bushings are a nice improvement over the stock Volvo ones. I have installed countless sets of them in my customers cars and I have never had a customer regret it and I have never done the same car twice.

You know after re-reading my post I have to wonder about what climate you are in. I live in So. Cal and because of that I do not have to deal with rust and road salt conditions. I have however had opportunity from time to time to do a set of those bushings that have been exposed to it. That being said if your bushings are rusted in due to the conditions they can be just a bit of a bitch to do. I end up using an air chisel to not only cut the old ones out but to descale all of the rust off of the lower arm. Roll under your V and take a look at them, if they appear to be rusted to hell or you know they are because of where you live then you might want to give them a pass and let someone else cuss the blue streak.


Mark

Thanks for the information. I live in Seattle, so rust isn't too bad. But looking through the Haynes, I see they rate most of the bushing jobs at a level 4 out of 5. So I'd probably regret doing it, especially since they often require special presses and tools.

One weird thing about bushings, I'm thinking is that all the books say the owner can't really be a good judge of what condition they're in, since the owner drives the vehicle every day.

The IRONY is that who can you ask about the state of the bushings except a mechanic... and what'd you think they're gonna say? (or course they're looking for more work!)

I guess if I could take a test drive in a similar model volvo with new bushings and struts and shocks, I'd be able to tell the difference.

That is funny what they say about you not being able to perceive it because you drive it everyday. That position does hold water to an extent. If you drive the car everyday you are in tune with it and if something changes you are the first guy to notice it. On the other hand if it changes slowly over time you may just think it is normal. You know the old story about cooking frogs, they jump right out of the boiling water but if you roll the heat on slowly you cook him everytime.

There are two solid ways to test those bushings. With the car rolling along at about 5 miles an hour tap on the brakes. Just stab the real quick and let off, do this 5-6 times in a row and see if you notice a slamming sensation in the front end. The other way is to put it up in the air with the suspension hanging free and take the front of the tire/wheel assembly and give it a good push. You can actually give it a push pull and if the bushing is bad you will be able to see the lower control arm moving in and out around the strut rod bushing.

Mark

Great tips! Thanks! I'll give them a try

That's a funny frog story...