Trailing arm bushes

[Ian21401]

Well done that man.
Just for reference should anyone need to know.
My daughter’s 2011 XC70 D5 AWD Geartronic ( 147297 mileage) needed these bushes done so we had the dealer do them whilst it was in for it’s annual service. From my research it would have taken me several days to do these on the drive and I would have needed the special tool. My daughter needs the car daily for her work so could not have it off the road so we bit the bullet. They only had the car two days and a courtesy car was provided so daughter could continue working.
The service manager informed us that as they had the “Volvo special tool” the bushes could be replaced with the trailing arms still in situ.
Cost, Trailing arm bushes, parts no. VO31476221 and 31476222. £56.00 each. Labour £124.80 plus VAT.
We also had the rear springs replaced.
Cost. Parts no. VO31300138. £115 each ( ouch ) Labour £48.00 plus VAT. I could probably have done them myself but would still have had to buy the springs.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Ian21401

From my own experience and various posts that I have read on here these dealer “health checks” are not very reliable or accurate. I suggest that you try to have them checked by a trusted independent who is not touting for business.

when they do the health check they do a video to show you what they find , they are supposed to mail it to you or at least show it to you when you pick the car up . you should go back there and ask them to show it to you and explain it to you or get the car in again and show you the condition of it . A good picture is essential for anyone to advise on it .

[Ian21401]

They did do a “health check” as part of the service and send us the video and I am cautious about such advice. The bushes were difficult to see due to their location and had been mentioned as an advisory on last year’s MOT so we opted to have them replaced rather than have them fail at some inconvenient time. The other consideration was that it is not a job within my abilities.

[simboc2004]

my rear bushes were an advisory on last year's MOT, that's why I've tackled them now. from my experience, there was no adverse effect on the handling, but the N/S rear was really thumping into potholes, etc. and, when removed, was completely split into two parts... Yikes!

[simboc2004]

here are some of the photos of the process. Removal tool looks easier than it is - i now know how to do it easily! The hard bit is reassembly! You can see the difference between the completely knackered N/S bush and the OK O/S bush (shown with replacement Lemförder bush - currently £26 inc VAT at GSF). The hammer with sockets is to hold the trailing arm low enough to fit the bushes square to the arm - adjusted using a jack under the rear spring housing. they say you can do it without removing the wheel - on a hoist, maybe, but defo not on the driveway!! I've also attached a photo of the exhaust hanger bracket I made from the old bush, driving out the splined bolt and refitting into the new part. That all worked really well.

[Ian21401]

Presume that you had to remove the plastic shields/covers to access the arm.
As I stated above, had ours done by the dealer. Needed to take the car back yesterday as one of the plastic shields had come loose and was hanging down. Dealer stated that the shield itself was undamaged and one of the fixings to the car body had failed.

[simboc2004]

Yes, there's a cover under the car - 4 x weird hollow nuts which corrode badly, screwed onto badly corroded threaded "stalks" - not Volvo's finest design! Then you need to remove the wheel arch liner - easy job as those fixing screws are stainless and come out easily, plus three plastic nuts either side of the shock absorber. Once they are both out/off you can see everything easily...

[ltec]

Some crazy prices on here for changing the trailing arm bush. Are these the same as mondeo, smax and galaxy. If they are, a new genuine ford bush is £26 and an independent garage costs £30 a side to put them in.
Is this the same bush or are they different?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/393396365818

[simboc2004]

Same bush - same tool

[al dm]

A bit of a thread revival here, but my new to me 2011 XC70 had an advisory on it's 2021 MOT test that said:

"Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement BOTH MAIN TRAILING ARM BUSHES. (5.3.4 (a) (i))"

However - there was no advisory on the 2022 MOT does in August.

But I don't have any paperwork saying the bushes were done so I guess I will need to pull the covers off at some point in the future and take a look at the bushes to be sure.

The car seems just fine, with no squeaks or excessive bumps over potholes, so I am not worried, just interested and thinking about planned maintenance in the future.

It seems to be a job I could do myself with the special tool to get the old bushes out and then use the Powerflex (or just normal) bushings as replacements.

Would anyone be kind enough to lend me the tool if I was to pay postage both ways? Or even sell it to me for a decent price as I doubt the bushings will need replaced again for several year if anyone has already done them....

I think I'll also call an independent shop and get a rough idea of price for them to fit as well...it's always good to know all your options.

EDITED TO ADD: just spoke to a fairly local independent Volvo specialist and they quoted £276 including parts, labour and VAT, which seems pretty good. It might be more cost effective to have them do it rather than me buying a tool, the parts and then skinning my knuckles and cursing all day on the drive in the rain....