...so about 4 months ago I find myself suddenly needing a car and I buy this 1986 240 Sedan from my local St. Vincent De Paul lot for $500. Drives pretty well, new tires, new brakes...First Volvo at age 41. First impression: This car is pretty cool! Fun to drive, solid...Hmm, wonder what it would take to fix it up..uh oh...I'm hooked. Amazingly, most of the "major electrical" problems (no overdrive, wacky flashers, intermittent stalling) were fixed for under $100 by replacing all fuses and the Fuel pump relay. Local garage cured all the oil leaks for about $250, so I'm doing alright...but now I'm thinking that this car would ride a lot nicer with new bushings all around.

I notice IPD sells bushing kits, but I'm having a difficult time locating someone to install them. Local Volvo garage says they will replace the trailing arm bushings alone for $350(!!!). Is this normal? How do people get these bushing kits installed? How much should it cost? Is it worth it? Thanks!

Steve