Volvo genuine wishbones not available

[VroomVroomClonk]

I need to replace both my front lower wishbones due to excessive play in the bushes, and my MoT tester has advised me to only use Volvo genuine replacements. Unfortunately, Volvo tell me there are none in stock in the UK at the moment, and I would have to wait about two months for more to become available.
So, what do people suggest please? Is there a make of aftermarket ones that are good quality and that are currently available? Or should I replace just the bushes in the wishbones that I already have? If so, what kind of press do I need to be able to get the old bushes out and the new bushes in?

Many thanks.

[stuart bowes]

Personally I would (and did) just replace the bushes, I went with powerflex poly's but I've no doubt the original type are available

The press itself isn't the problem, it's the tooling required to hold it at the right angle while you press it in, the first one I managed gradually using a piece of tubing milled out to the right ID but then my press broke (long story)

On the second one I actually dismantled the bush so I was only working with the metal sleeve, then I just used a bobbin sander slowly and gradually until it went in nice and tight with a hammer

Don't force it in too hard straight away or it'll get stuck in there and you'll have to cut it out, back to square 1 trying to find a new wishbone. Ask how i know..

Getting the old ones out is fairly easy just time consuming, drill away at the rubber until the middle falls out, then hacksaw at the sleeve in two places about 10mm apart and chisel out the cut piece

Due to work involved getting the damn things off the car in the first place it needs to be thought of as a whole weekend job and even then make sure you have a backup car for the Monday just in case

I did find aftermarket ones at energised customs which were priced low but they felt cheap around corners, I used them as temps while my polys were being fitted

[100K+]

I'm sure that I have seen a video of how to make tooling for a press to make fitting of the bushes easy. I seem to remember it was someone from this forum, but I have tried Si Robb and can't find it. IIRC it has something to do with a scaffolding component which is cut to shape and then matches up with the slope needed to push the bush home straight.

Why not try another dealership ie Mill at newcastle or RFR swansea. They both will post parts out, I guess there will be others, but I have used both.

Cheers
Bob

[100K+]

Try this utube vid

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hc5dOZ67W6Y


Cheers
Bob

[stuart bowes]

That would definitely have helped but I would have had to make it a bit shorter not that it really makes any difference to the way it works

Just bear in mind the wishbone is alloy and very easy to damage if you don't go easy with it

[crk]

Be careful with part numbers as i needed to replace my wishbones on a late 2004 t5 V70. Pattern parts from factors did not fit. Waited for genuine volvo parts but part numbers cast in old wishbones do not appear in relevant section of vida. I presume volvo used registration number to supply correct parts. I have kept old wishbones as spares so could send you numbers and picture if needed.

[Simmy]

the tool is made from a kee klamp scaffold tube straight connector ground to fit the contours of the arm.

[Oil Burner]

Morning all,

Just a note on this regarding availability of lower control arms.

I have just had both sides changed at the dealer Monday just gone ( aluminium type) so the parts are available.

2 control arms, 2 front tyres and a 4 wheel alignment. They were advisories a couple of months back at my MOT so just had it done.

2006 MY S60 E3 with 127k miles.

[Missing Lincs]

I'm trying a set of Meyle HD wishbones. The original Volvo pressed steel ones were replaced with genuine Volvo aluminium ones a few years ago, the didn't last any better. Let's see what the Meyle HD can do.
I priced OEM from Volvo, the parts were available but the price was 'a little' higher!

[john493]

Originally Posted by VroomVroomClonk

I need to replace both my front lower wishbones due to excessive play in the bushes, and my MoT tester has advised me to only use Volvo genuine replacements. Unfortunately, Volvo tell me there are none in stock in the UK at the moment, and I would have to wait about two months for more to become available.
So, what do people suggest please? Is there a make of aftermarket ones that are good quality and that are currently available? Or should I replace just the bushes in the wishbones that I already have? If so, what kind of press do I need to be able to get the old bushes out and the new bushes in?

Many thanks.

You should check whether your car has the earlier alloy lower arms, or the later steel ones. The bushes are the same but the ball joints are very different. I'd be surprised if Volvo cannot supply the front & rear bushes. The front ones need accurate fitting. Poly bushes are probably the easiest alternative, not cheap though.