Carnage

"Snuze: Needs another Swede" (markg) 07/18/2020 at 16:35 • Filed to: None

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Spent a bit of time last weekend, yesterday, and today working on the 850s rear suspension. Its a marvel of engineering and packaging, and also awful.

The last picture shows Volvo’s special tool in action. Its good but not perfect and I had some issues getting it to work - there are 2 holes in the control arm you could align it with , but it works best when you use the correct one (thats what she said)(giggity). I also did the inboard links, which are not shown, but were much easier.

Ive got the drivers side done, and the passenger side out. Im taking a water break because its 95°F out and I don’t want to get dehydrated. Ill go out soon and press the new link in, then start buttoning things up. After this is done I’m going to redo the AC system and thats it for me.

So what are your car projects this weekend?

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Snuze: Needs another Swede 07/18/2020 at 16:56

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I might finally get around to doing the brake pads. They’re not that bad, but the brakes aren’t very good at the best of times so doing them a little early won’t hurt.

Merfthemadmauler > Snuze: Needs another Swede 07/18/2020 at 18:13

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Quality jack stands. 

Echo51 > Snuze: Needs another Swede 07/18/2020 at 18:14

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Your jackstand looks to be under your gastank btw. My dad will be getting to the same job at some point on his T5, would you say the tool is required?

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Echo51 07/18/2020 at 19:01

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Thats my “safety stand”. Ive got one on each side under the main jack points, that one is just in case the car decides to defy physics and tip backwards for whatever reason.

And I would say you need the tool and a small torch. When I'm done I'll make you deal on it, if you're interested. 

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Merfthemadmauler 07/18/2020 at 19:02

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Thank you.  Its not apparently but the one under the gas tank is just to prevent it from defying physics and tipping back.  

Fuckkinja > Snuze: Needs another Swede 07/18/2020 at 19:03

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So I guess kinja is crooked today. It is to hot to wrench. I decided to spread fertilizer on the fields before a big t-storm hit us  later tonight. And later hopefully having my a beer in a lightning show. 

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 07/18/2020 at 22:01

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I finally put brakes on my Cruze at like 125k miles. And it didn't really need them. 

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Fuckkinja 07/18/2020 at 22:09

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Sounds like a good plan for the day. Hope you're enjoying that thunderstorm. 

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Snuze: Needs another Swede 07/18/2020 at 22:29

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Rear drums for the win?

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 07/20/2020 at 08:51

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I meant front brake pads.  I’ve never changed the rears. 

Echo51 > Snuze: Needs another Swede 07/20/2020 at 14:02

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I’m euro-based sadly, so shipping would be an arm and several legs, but thanks for the offer! good idea on the extra safety, that never hurt nobody!

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Echo51 07/20/2020 at 15:16

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I learned a lot about this process. It’s not easy, but it can be done with some patience and ingenuity. The Volvo tool is extremely helpful but not the end all, be all. The best way is to approach it as a multi-step process. Put tool on, put some safety wire around the tool head and the toe link so the head doesn’t ride up/down. Crank on the tool until the toe-link doesn’t budge. Then use the torch to heat up the area until the rubber starts to melt. Crank on the tool some more. Apply some more heat. Repeat until the old toe link comes out.  Sometimes it will leave the plastic bushing stuck in the suspension arm, at this point use a chisel to crack it and pliers to pull it out.  

Installation is similar, use the tool plus some safety wire, but no heat this time. Sand the inside of the suspension arm where the new links go, and then wipe the area clean. Lube up the suspension link and then put it in place and hit it with a hammer. Then use the tool to push the link in as far as you can. If it doesn’t go all the way, remove the tool and use a wood block to hit on alternate sides of the link to wiggle it in.

If you’re curious I have some photos (just not accessible at the moment) to elaborate on this.