NChoy

Hey Will... remember those mystery upper LCA bushings that we couldn't find in poly? Well, look what I found! You can get them here: http://www.retroturbo.com/?product=760-960-series-multilink-mk1-pu-bushings-rear-suspension-prt

Parts all painted up nice, to match the red on the engine block... DSC_0585 Rear hubs all painted up with new bushings... DSC_0588 Control arms, driveline, hubs installed... DSC_0592 New toe bars (thanks JC!) DSC_0595 Yes, that's a P2 angle gear vent and filter: DSC_0597 Toe bars installed: DSC_0600 Entire subframe assembly together, waiting to go in: DSC_0634 Another angle: DSC_0636

Parts are back from the powder coating shop... DSC_0347 by Nick Choy, on Flickr

Here's some pics of the installed custom upper control arm bushings. I had three sets made, one for me, the other two for Will and Hussein. When all this is said and done we will be the only 3 V70Rs in the world with this type of system. Specs: the bushings are milled using UHMW, which is a harder compound than Delrin. The sleeves are hardened steel. Here's a few pics... All four: DSC_1251 by Nick Choy, on Flickr Upper control arm bushing #1: DSC_1253 by Nick Choy, on Flickr Upper control arm bushing #2: DSC_1255 by Nick Choy, on Flickr #1 installed (this one went in easy!): DSC_0208 by Nick Choy, on Flickr #2 installed (this one was a real PITA!): DSC_0209 by Nick Choy, on Flickr Had to make this little guy in order to help "seat" bushing #2: DSC_0204 by Nick Choy, on Flickr Here's the process, using sockets as spacers: DSC_0200 by Nick Choy, on Flickr

Still working these, but getting close. My machinist was waiting on materials last week, so this week he should be machining the bushings. Will post pics when they're done.

NEU, I've been in touch with Will via PM about this, and I've been working on some alternatives to the factory bushings. Using the information Will had posted, I gathered up all the necessary poly, and pressed out all the OE bushings. More importantly, I have the subframe and upper control arms at my machinist's shop and he plans to do some kind of Delrin bushing with steel inserts to replace bushings #2 and #3. ASFAIK, the upper control arm is just a pivot point, and doesn't experience any lateral forces, so Delrin with steel inserts to serve as mounting points for the control arm. I'm pretty sure the mystery bushing where bolt #14 goes through is this one: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo-control-arm-bushing-rear-lower-9490797 I ordered two, and did some measuring. There's a slight difference in the center steel insert length... 2mm. Luckily, that difference is on the short side, where the bolt enters the bushing. The bushing itself is slightly different in length, but that shouldn't be a problem either, as it can be driven into the LCA to a point where it correctly attaches to the control arm stay. Will has suggested that this mystery bushing be replaced with either poly or something else. My concern is that this bushing DOES receive lateral forces and so whatever replaces it has to be strong enough to handle that. This MIGHT be a good place for some kind of spherical bearing, though wear might be an issue if all it sees is lateral force. I'm going to look into some kind of poly replacement, but not having any kind of catalog that shows bushing dimensions is going to make that like searching for a needle in a haystack. My other concern is that poly tends to "hog out" quicker than rubber when subjected to lateral forces. All I can say on this one is "stay tuned". If I can figure out how to post pictures to this revamped forum, I'll post up some pics I've been taking of the progress.

I am so in on this thread! Thanks Will for sending me this link. I'm pulling my rear subframe apart as you read this. Already ordered bushing #'s 3a, 11a, 21 and 16 from IPD. Then I saw that Will corrected the part number on 16, so I'll just return that one and get the correct one from FCP, along with the mystery bushing on bolt #14. I plan on having some of the missing bushings in either Delrin or aluminum. I'm with NEU... don't want to spend an arm and a leg to have someone make bearing-based bushings which will wear out faster than something more solid. I think bushings #2 and #3 can be Delrin. Update: I bought bushing #16 through FCP. Was $21.95 Superpro number 6819057. You will need two kits. Tried going through Skandix, and the bushing set was 57 Euro ($71 USD), and shipping was 64 Euro... screw that!

Hussein, Other than the silly little issues that keep cropping up (sorry for those... it must be frustrating at this point), how is the COP and revised TT ECU doing? I'm still on standby for my upgrade. I think Adam is waiting for your final feedback.

define "tight" just so I know my boundaries...

Are the BKR7E one step colder than the stock NGK plugs? I'm going to pick up a set on the way to the dyno tomorrow...

Hussein: You should have our tune shortly.

This is fun... a chance to show off some non-car photography skillz... Just another day at the office: From my 2004 trip to Bulgaria: From my 2007 trip to D.C.: Downtown Portland, 2008: What I do on drill weekends (no I don't fly them, I "shoot" them): See how close we are? At Ed McMahon's house in 2007: At the Obama rally in 2008:

I paid $225 shipped for mine from Erie Volvo.