Hey guys!

After just having replaced all 10 rear suspension bushings (including the TAB bushings) I noticed that I am still getting tire rubbing on the inside sidewall of my left rear tire. I thought that I'd be rid of that problem now with all new bushings (including Volvo OEM trackrod (panhard) bushings. I'm guessing most of you guys haven't had this trouble because you are running 14" wheels. For some reason my 1990 245 came with the 15" steelies with the gunmetal gray wheelcovers or someone along the way swapped these onto the car. I was shocked that I still had the problem because I'm using 185/70R15 tires. I didn't find that the trackrod mounts were damaged, but I do know that my rear springs are probably getting a bit soft and causing some extra up-travel during hard corners (judging by the rub marks on the inner fenderwell). I don't drive like a maniac, but I do carry a bit of speed while entering those highway on-ramps which is the only time I believe this is occuring.

So looking on IPD, I found an adjustable trackrod (panhard rod) that they claim will CENTER the rear axle. I ordered it and downloaded their online installation manual. They were right! The rear axle on my car was shifted 1/2" to the right. So now I'm going to install their adjustable trackrod (with polyurethane bushings... ohhhhh!) and center up my rear axle. I can't wait to see/feel the difference.

If you're interested in buying the adjustable IPD tube-steel suspension bits, you may want to unscrew the threaded rod-end and clean out the inside and coat it to prevent rust from the inside. I noticed a bit of sand/grit/slag that dropped out of the tube when I tapped it on the table. I've now blown it out with shop air and rinsed it with mineral spirits. To prevent corrosion inside, I'm going to swish around some boiled linseed oil and cap it up again with some anti-seize on the threads.




Look at that exploded TAB bushing! Do you think it needed to be replaced?



This is what's left of it... hard to believe this "pile" was holding up my car.


FYI: I did notice that there was a significant taper to the new TAB bushings I bought. There is also a corresponding ID hole size difference in the large tangs on the axle - the inner tang has a larger ID. The bushings have to be installed from the inside out and the taper keeps them snug. I think it was the FCP rear axle bushing kit I bought and I think those TAB bushings were Lemforder???

Cheers!
Steve