01 S60-2.4T-Help With Strut Connection To Hub On Control Arm Replacement

[VovWag7]

I could really use you guy's help with the strut connection to the hub on my 01 S60 2.4T. I ran out of time so my car is sitting in the driveway on jackstands of course.

I was replacing the driver's side lower control arm, following Howard's Volvo Maintenance site guide, where you replace the LCA without disconnecting the drive shaft by moving the strut out of the way, pulling off the spindle from the LCA, then temporarily bolting the spindle on the strut until the arm is replaced.

http://howardsvolvos.webs.com/suspension.htm

Anyways, I was trying to button it up and had gotten the ball joint in on the LCA, but for some reason I could not get the strut to push up so I could connect the two bolts to the hub. The LCA was as far down as it would go, as I had a large bar on it to push it down, but I didn't want to bend it. Right now the bottom of the strut is sitting on the drive shaft boot (with protection) but with a jack, blocks, pry bars, I can't get it to push up. I can get a jack below the LCA and all of it pushes up, and the strut binds on the hub and I can't get it free to slip in. Is there another way that I'm not thinking of? I was going to pull out the strut compressors but on these I noticed that the threads would keep it from compressing due to the tower. I reconnected the outer tie rod and the LCA is tight.

FYI, I just replaced the struts last week. I don't know if the strut is acting normal (expand as it is on the car) or if I goofed something up last week that's causing it to do that. The guide said that the weight of the hub/strut will push the LCA down, but I don't know what else to do.

Your help is very much appreciated.

[howardc64]

I just did this on my V70XC and had no problem. I just use the weight of the hub assembly as assistance but you do need to push it down pretty hard until the drive shaft boot clears the bottom of the strut and then fit the hub assembly onto the strut. Don't worry about the messing up the bushing, Volvo's replacement directions using ratcheted straps bends the LCA down even further.

When I did my V70 T5, I disconnected the drive shaft because I thought I need to. Perhaps XC70s taller height allows more room on reassembly? But if you can get it out, you certainly should be able to get it back in. Just need to push down harder on that new bushing offering more resistance.

Do the passenger side first. Driver side drive shaft has that donut on there which has more obstruction.

[howardc64]

Oh, just a note. Once you get the ball joint into the LCD (tilt the bolt tip on the ball joint so you can clear and enter where it goes on the LCA), then you don't need a bar to push down anymore. Just the weight of the hub assembly + a little muscle to push it down.

[nyc1dxo]

I agree. Push down on the LCA. You won't damage tne bushing.

[howardc64]

Look over the LCA and make sure you have the correct control arm on each side. I recall the LCA's geometry allows you to install them on the wrong side (driver LCA on passenger side and vice versa). If this happens, the hub assembly will ride a bit higher and require the LCA to get push down further and perhaps can't go any further.

[VovWag7]

Look over the LCA and make sure you have the correct control arm on each side. I recall the LCA's geometry allows you to install them on the wrong side (driver LCA on passenger side and vice versa). If this happens, the hub assembly will ride a bit higher and require the LCA to get push down further and perhaps can't go any further.

This makes sense. I will check it tonight. Thanks a lot! I'll let you know what's up.

[howardc64]

This makes sense. I will check it tonight. Thanks a lot! I'll let you know what's up.

Look at picture on page 2 and 9. The ball joint seat should be angled outwards toward the top if you have the correct control arm on.

https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http://www.volvoxc.com/resources/how-to/pdf/replacing-control-arm-bushings.pdf

[VovWag7]

Look at picture on page 2 and 9. The ball joint seat should be angled outwards toward the top if you have the correct control arm on.

https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http://www.volvoxc.com/resources/how-to/pdf/replacing-control-arm-bushings.pdf

That was it!! It went in so easy, I did it without a helper.

Guess that's what happens when you're tired and don't double check. The correct drivers side was marked with an "RL", so I thought it was the passengers. Since the passengers side had similar connections with the bushings in the same position (although upside-down) and holes for the steering stops in front, I thought it was the correct one.

You saved me another day's car rental for one.

THANKS! (Hope caps are OK here!). Thanks for this help and your website. It's real helpful!