Suspension: - front wishbone

dalma · Jun 13th, 2010, 19:59

Hi, driving home today and when I braked at a traffic light the wheel pulled over to the left and made a strange grating noise, I pulled into a car park had a look, the wishbone where it fits to the wheel is broken,this part is called the control arm in the Hayenes manuel. I got the car home with the emergency service coverd by the insurance and the guy there said he had not seen this happen on a Volvo before,(but he was a young man) I have now had a good look at the offending piece and it doesn't look such a big deal to replace if I can get the old one off (lots of WD) does any one know of any problems I may run into?

honestjoe · Jun 14th, 2010, 19:41

Hi dalma..i"ll get things moving for you here..Did the wishbone itself fail or was it the set up at the base of the front strut?..(the two bolts that connect the wishbone to the front suspension?)..a picture or detailed description of the failiure will ensure you get the right advice..cheers hj.

Clifford Pope · Jun 14th, 2010, 20:14

I've just looked up the Haynes picture, and what they call the control arm is indeed the wishbone itself. I've encountered them bending from rust weakening, but never actually broken.

It's straightforward to replace, the difficult bit might be disconnecting the rear pivot from the bush in the bracket bolted onto the chassis.

First thing is to jack the car up securely and let the suspension dangle. Then undo the 3 bolts holding the wishbone to the bracket part of the bottom ball joint. The front bush is held by a long bolt through the front subframe, the rear by a nut almost inaccessible inside the chassis bracket. It is easiest to unbolt the bracket from the chassis section (4 small bolts, I think) and withdraw the whole unit.

It is quite likely the bush will need replacing, or that the shaft is seized inside the inner metal bush. If you get this far post again for advice. Let us know what you find.

Good luck.

dalma · Jun 16th, 2010, 11:00

Hi the wishbone has broken just behind the wheel near the 2 lugs that hold the front shock absorber. sorry I can't put a picture up but my daughter is not here till the wknd & as she says I'm a digital dinosaur. I got the replacement part this morn & I expect to attack the job this evening. thanks for the info.

honestjoe · Jun 16th, 2010, 19:55

Nice one dalma..keep us posted cheers hj.

dalma · Jun 17th, 2010, 08:58

OK now I have got the old wishbone off, & the new one is here. The old buses are in a very bad state & I have orderd 3 new ones, (should be here today) I am not so shure about putting the new bushes on,the bush that fits between the 2 lugs on the wishbone took alot of pushin & pullin to come free,so I expect putting the new one backn in is not easy. Going to try at that tonight. At least it's not snowing outside & I've got good weather to work in. When I get it all back together I supose I have to take it to a garage to get the tracking set up correctly ? Thanks for the advice

Jun 13th, 2010, 19:59	#1
dalma New Member Last Online: Jan 1st, 2018 13:28 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: odense	front wishbone Hi, driving home today and when I braked at a traffic light the wheel pulled over to the left and made a strange grating noise, I pulled into a car park had a look, the wishbone where it fits to the wheel is broken,this part is called the control arm in the Hayenes manuel. I got the car home with the emergency service coverd by the insurance and the guy there said he had not seen this happen on a Volvo before,(but he was a young man) I have now had a good look at the offending piece and it doesn't look such a big deal to replace if I can get the old one off (lots of WD) does any one know of any problems I may run into?

Jun 16th, 2010, 11:00	#4
dalma New Member Last Online: Jan 1st, 2018 13:28 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: odense	wishbone Hi the wishbone has broken just behind the wheel near the 2 lugs that hold the front shock absorber. sorry I can't put a picture up but my daughter is not here till the wknd & as she says I'm a digital dinosaur. I got the replacement part this morn & I expect to attack the job this evening. thanks for the info.

Jun 17th, 2010, 08:58	#6
dalma New Member Last Online: Jan 1st, 2018 13:28 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: odense	wishbone OK now I have got the old wishbone off, & the new one is here. The old buses are in a very bad state & I have orderd 3 new ones, (should be here today) I am not so shure about putting the new bushes on,the bush that fits between the 2 lugs on the wishbone took alot of pushin & pullin to come free,so I expect putting the new one backn in is not easy. Going to try at that tonight. At least it's not snowing outside & I've got good weather to work in. When I get it all back together I supose I have to take it to a garage to get the tracking set up correctly ? Thanks for the advice

Jun 14th, 2010, 19:41	#2
honestjoe MY 240 DRIVES ME! Last Online: Apr 26th, 2024 05:46 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: ashford kent View Photos By: honestjoe	Hi dalma..i"ll get things moving for you here..Did the wishbone itself fail or was it the set up at the base of the front strut?..(the two bolts that connect the wishbone to the front suspension?)..a picture or detailed description of the failiure will ensure you get the right advice..cheers hj.

Jun 14th, 2010, 20:14	#3
Clifford Pope Not an expert but ... Last Online: Today 08:43 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Boncath	I've just looked up the Haynes picture, and what they call the control arm is indeed the wishbone itself. I've encountered them bending from rust weakening, but never actually broken. It's straightforward to replace, the difficult bit might be disconnecting the rear pivot from the bush in the bracket bolted onto the chassis. First thing is to jack the car up securely and let the suspension dangle. Then undo the 3 bolts holding the wishbone to the bracket part of the bottom ball joint. The front bush is held by a long bolt through the front subframe, the rear by a nut almost inaccessible inside the chassis bracket. It is easiest to unbolt the bracket from the chassis section (4 small bolts, I think) and withdraw the whole unit. It is quite likely the bush will need replacing, or that the shaft is seized inside the inner metal bush. If you get this far post again for advice. Let us know what you find. Good luck.

Jun 16th, 2010, 19:55	#5
honestjoe MY 240 DRIVES ME! Last Online: Apr 26th, 2024 05:46 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: ashford kent View Photos By: honestjoe	Nice one dalma..keep us posted cheers hj.

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