I've got a clunk on the left side of my front end of my 98 S70GLT, and I've had 2 shops tell me its my sway bar link. How difficult is it to replace this, is it as simple as unbolting the old one and bolting on a new one, or is there more involved?
thanks
Mad Finn
98 S70GLT
181K
0
Sway Bar Link Replacement
Started by Guest_Guest_mad finn_*_*, Feb 15 2005 02:14 PM
-
This topic is locked
16 replies to this topic
#2
-
- Members
-
- 417 posts
Level 1 Member
- Interests:Cars, Sportbikes, surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding, art.
- Location:Middletown, NJ
Posted 15 February 2005 - 02:30 PM
Assuming its not too different than the 850, you shouldn't have a problem. You need to turn two wrenches in opposite directions (one wrench on the obvious visible bolt facing you, and one on the piece behind it which only has 2 flat planes for a wrench to fit on, have to feel around) on the upper part of the link. The lower part is easy. I'm not sure but the shock and spring may drop a little once the link is disconnected and it may be hard to get the new one to reach on both ends. Someone else will know.
'96 855 Turbo Red
IPD sway bars, IPD springs, Koni front, Bilstein rear, K&N panel, VDO boost guage, OMP strut brace, Dawes dual stage MBC, QBM sway bar links
IPD sway bars, IPD springs, Koni front, Bilstein rear, K&N panel, VDO boost guage, OMP strut brace, Dawes dual stage MBC, QBM sway bar links
#3
-
- Members
-
- 1,027 posts
Level 3 Member
Posted 15 February 2005 - 02:52 PM
Simple to do. Loosen bolt remove and replace. Cheap and easy fix.
If that doesn't fix your clunk, then most likely your problem is the rubber upper strut mount is broken and you need to replace both.
If that doesn't fix your clunk, then most likely your problem is the rubber upper strut mount is broken and you need to replace both.
John, Sarasota, FL
'01 V70 T5, '07 S60 2.5T
'01 V70 T5, '07 S60 2.5T
#4
-
- Members
-
- 1,323 posts
Level 3 Member
- Gender:Male
- Location:illinois
- Crew:MWC
Posted 15 February 2005 - 03:01 PM
I just had my sway bar link replaced. Is it possible that it could have caused my tires to get choppy?
05 s60 2.5T
#5 Guest_Guest_Mad Finn_*_*
-
- Guests
Posted 15 February 2005 - 03:25 PM
QUOTE(jda2000 @ Feb 15 2005, 02:52 PM)
Simple to do. Loosen bolt remove and replace. Cheap and easy fix.
If that doesn't fix your clunk, then most likely your problem is the rubber upper strut mount is broken and you need to replace both.
If that doesn't fix your clunk, then most likely your problem is the rubber upper strut mount is broken and you need to replace both.
I recently had my struts replaced (I had the clunk before they were replaced) and they didn't say anything about the mounts being broken. That shop was also one of the same ones that said it was the sway bar link.
If it for some reason was the mount, I understand thats a little more involved, not sure if I have the tools or the knowledge to tackle that.
#6
-
- Members
-
- 1,027 posts
Level 3 Member
Posted 15 February 2005 - 03:31 PM
it's rec to replace the strut mounts when the struts are replaced, since they have to be removed anyway to get to the struts.
The mounts usually go around 75K miles,
The mounts usually go around 75K miles,
John, Sarasota, FL
'01 V70 T5, '07 S60 2.5T
'01 V70 T5, '07 S60 2.5T
#7
-
- Members
-
- 727 posts
Level 2 Member
Posted 16 February 2005 - 04:20 AM
What are the wrench sizes needed for the link?...15mm & 16mm?
You might cannot get the force off the link if one side of the car is jacked up. Put the front on jackstands, remove that tire, and you might have to use a jack to raise one end of the sway bar a bit to relieve any force.
Ken
You might cannot get the force off the link if one side of the car is jacked up. Put the front on jackstands, remove that tire, and you might have to use a jack to raise one end of the sway bar a bit to relieve any force.
Ken
#8 Guest_Guest_Mad Finn_*_*
-
- Guests
Posted 16 February 2005 - 12:50 PM
QUOTE(jda2000 @ Feb 15 2005, 03:31 PM)
it's rec to replace the strut mounts when the struts are replaced, since they have to be removed anyway to get to the struts.
The mounts usually go around 75K miles,
The mounts usually go around 75K miles,
is there a way to check your strut mounts without disassembling the entire strut assmebly?
Thanks
#9
-
- Members
-
- 1,027 posts
Level 3 Member
Posted 16 February 2005 - 02:52 PM
The easy poor lazy man way to check for broken rubber upper strut mounts:
Compare both sides, there should be a 1/4" gap underneath the large round black washer. Space should be symmetrical.
No gap = broken mount
Compare both sides, there should be a 1/4" gap underneath the large round black washer. Space should be symmetrical.
No gap = broken mount
John, Sarasota, FL
'01 V70 T5, '07 S60 2.5T
'01 V70 T5, '07 S60 2.5T
#10 Guest_Guest_Ray_*_*
-
- Guests
Posted 16 February 2005 - 05:57 PM
I just changed an end link last week on a 96 850. Just follow the advice given and you'll have it done in about 30 minutes. I ordered my endlink (Meyle) from IPD, but noticed that FCPGroton sells them for much less - don't know the brand, though.
Ray
Ray
#11
-
- Supporting Member
-
- 6,910 posts
Pretty Boy Racing
- Gender:Male
- Location:Ohio
- Crew:MWC
Posted 16 February 2005 - 08:06 PM
QUOTE(jda2000 @ Feb 16 2005, 08:52 AM)
The easy poor lazy man way to check for broken rubber upper strut mounts:
Compare both sides, there should be a 1/4" gap underneath the large round black washer. Space should be symmetrical.
No gap = broken mount
Compare both sides, there should be a 1/4" gap underneath the large round black washer. Space should be symmetrical.
No gap = broken mount
I was under the impression that the gap meant your struts are still good and if youre able to twist the mount then its bad.
-Petri (Val)
#12
-
- Members
-
- 1,027 posts
Level 3 Member
Posted 16 February 2005 - 09:34 PM
not really.
When the metal sleeve of the rubber strut mount breaks away, then you loose the gap, regardless of how good or bad the struts are.
Another telltale sign of a broken mount is like you mention, if the strut can be rotated around with simple force.
My right upper strut mount was broken and I lost the gap compared to the left side. Also with a wrench I could rotate the right strut around, but not so on the left which was still intact.
When the metal sleeve of the rubber strut mount breaks away, then you loose the gap, regardless of how good or bad the struts are.
Another telltale sign of a broken mount is like you mention, if the strut can be rotated around with simple force.
My right upper strut mount was broken and I lost the gap compared to the left side. Also with a wrench I could rotate the right strut around, but not so on the left which was still intact.
John, Sarasota, FL
'01 V70 T5, '07 S60 2.5T
'01 V70 T5, '07 S60 2.5T
#13
-
- Members
-
- 6,378 posts
Level 5 Member
Posted 16 February 2005 - 09:39 PM
The link rod nuts are 15mm.
The best way to check if the top strut mount is cracked/borken, is to take the 21mm nut off, remove the plate and look at the mount. No harm will come to you, and the strut will not come apart.
The best way to check if the top strut mount is cracked/borken, is to take the 21mm nut off, remove the plate and look at the mount. No harm will come to you, and the strut will not come apart.
#14
-
- Supporting Member
-
- 6,910 posts
Pretty Boy Racing
- Gender:Male
- Location:Ohio
- Crew:MWC
Posted 16 February 2005 - 10:22 PM
QUOTE(jda2000 @ Feb 16 2005, 03:34 PM)
not really.
When the metal sleeve of the rubber strut mount breaks away, then you loose the gap, regardless of how good or bad the struts are.
Another telltale sign of a broken mount is like you mention, if the strut can be rotated around with simple force.
My right upper strut mount was broken and I lost the gap compared to the left side. Also with a wrench I could rotate the right strut around, but not so on the left which was still intact.
When the metal sleeve of the rubber strut mount breaks away, then you loose the gap, regardless of how good or bad the struts are.
Another telltale sign of a broken mount is like you mention, if the strut can be rotated around with simple force.
My right upper strut mount was broken and I lost the gap compared to the left side. Also with a wrench I could rotate the right strut around, but not so on the left which was still intact.
good to know.
-Petri (Val)
#15
-
- Members
-
- 950 posts
Level 2 Member
- Location:Lakeville, MA
Posted 17 February 2005 - 01:44 AM
I few more tips. When you change the links make sure you jack up the car so both front wheels are hanging free. (jack stands under the drive train frame is the easiest way) Don't just jack up one side or the links will have tension on them.
If you peel back the rubber boot you will see the shaft has flats cut on it. Get a wrench on it and spin off the nut from the front. Air tools are nice if you have them.
If you peel back the rubber boot you will see the shaft has flats cut on it. Get a wrench on it and spin off the nut from the front. Air tools are nice if you have them.
'98 S70 GLT
#16
-
- Lifetime Supporter
-
- 503 posts
Level 2 Member
Posted 30 March 2005 - 03:41 PM
I know another way is to hold the shaft by putting a ??allen wrench in the hole at the end of the bolt and use this to hold the shaft. anyone know for sure what size the hole is?
also what is a good link for the rear shocks? Got a bad one....
also what is a good link for the rear shocks? Got a bad one....
1995 850 glt rattling down the road at 157K
99 V70XC 120K
99 V70XC 120K
#17
-
- Members
-
- 60 posts
Level 1 Member
Posted 30 March 2005 - 09:23 PM
QUOTE(jda2000 @ Feb 15 2005, 09:31 AM)
it's rec to replace the strut mounts when the struts are replaced, since they have to be removed anyway to get to the struts.
The mounts usually go around 75K miles,
The mounts usually go around 75K miles,
Its called teh spring seat (rubber gusket), the struct mounts are plates with bearings that enable the structs to turn and flex.
[font=Arial Black] 1996 855NA, EIBACH Pro Line, Bilstein HD, 225/45/16, Just top 120K.
1 user(s) are reading this topic
0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users
