How to Check and Replace Anti-Roll Bar Drop Links

[swedishandgerman]

Got an irritating rattle coming from the front suspension? Recommend you check your anti-roll bar drop links.

Level of difficulty: Honestly, if you can change a wheel, you can do this!

Tools Required:

• Jack
• Axle Stands
• Wheel Brace and 19mm socket
• 18mm Ring Spanner
• 15mm Ring Spanner
• Torx Set (and Allen keys if you use the same parts as me)
• Torque Wrench and 18mm and 15mm socket

Parts Required: 2 x Drop Links, Volvo part no: 31201602

Available from Partsforvolvos @ £15.37. I used Meyle ones as I have had really good experience of using them on a BMW - excellenct longevity and superb quality. Sourced mine from Partservice, Exeter @ £13ea + VAt + delivery.

1. Loosen all wheel bolts on both front wheels
2. Jack up the front of the car, onto axle stands and remove both wheels. You need to get both wheels off the ground otherwise the anti-roll bar is under tension and it makes it difficult to get the links out later. Here's the old link:



3. Using an 18mm ring spanner and a torx bit to counterhold the balljoint, undo the top link:



4. Now you can check the condition of the joints by wiggling them. If there's any play or sloppiness, replace!



5. Using a 15mm ring spanner and a torx bit, undo the bottom link and take out the whole part

Here's the old vs. the new. I think you can see the quality of the Meyle joints compared to whatever make the old one is:



6. Put in the new part and once you've tightened the nuts as much as you can with the ring spanner so that the whole joint doesn't rotate, secure to 37lbf ft



Slightly different to the part I took out, the Meyle part has allen bolts instead of torx

7. Do the same on the other side



I gave all threads a good coating of copper grease to make the next time I do it easy

8. Wheels back on, car lowered, all bolts tightened to 103 lbf ft and road test.

Silence!

[rublehousen]

nice helpful 'how to'. having done loads of these i would also recommend a wire brush and some WD40 as they can get a bit awkward when the nuts go mad tight on the last few rusty threads

[johnnyv70]

good write up, did mine on sunday but the whole stud started to turn, so got a pair of grips and clamped them behind the fixing bracket, you can use a spanner but found this easyer,(each to his own )..mine were shot and its like driving a differant car....BUT could,nt take the wheel off due to lost wheellock key, having them all removed this week, so the job was a pain in the arse to do........but nice write up with good pics

john

[Chesterman]

Excellent "How to" - thanks. A growing database of practical knowledge.

[Nick44]

Hi Sweedish,
Another good write up, thanks.
I noticed in your first picture that the rear wishbone bush, the one just below where the ABS sensor lead is, that the rubber is coming slightly away from the outer metal of the bushing.
My S80 is like that and I was about to spend a few quid on a new wishbone.
Are they all like that, and did it pass it's MOT like that?
Thanks,
Nick.

[swedishandgerman]

@ Nick44 - Hi! I recently had the wishbones out and replaced the front bushes with Powerflex ones. I looked over the rear bushes and thought to myself that they were ok. See what you mean though; that line looks like it's breaking up in the photo's doesn't it? I tell you - it drives much better since replacing the front bushes and I'd highly recommend doing so!

Ref the MOT. Although it was a nice feeling when the car passed the MOT, there are 2 major things that I've found since. The wishbone bushes were absolutely shot and 1 out of the 2 drop-links was as loose as anything. The other was past it too.

[S60-D]

Very handy How to, many thanks.

Please create a sub-forum with all these "How to" so it will be easy to find them.

[swedishandgerman]

I contacted the forum people (for want of a better expression) who shifted my write-ups to the "Articles" section of this forum.

I agree, a new sub-section specially for "How to" stuff would be great, as there are a number really useful ones on here including how to poly-bush front wishbones and how to replace discs and pads etc

[Diesel Convert]

Great write up but I wouldn't recomend applying copper grease as you can over torque the nuts. Had a mate who sheared a wheel bolt by doing that.

[OMG]

Excellent article, well done. Have but one question; where did you place the axle stands?