Pre MOT jobs
 

Just had a look under my V70 2.5D Think it’s a 1999/2000 model
I have noticed that I am going to have to replace my perished flexi brake hoses and sub frame bushes, I think this is what they are called.

As I have a couple of jobs to do under there, I was going to get it on some axle stands, but I am not quite sure where to put them.
Has anyone done this recently and have any advice, or a how to guide would be handy?
Also where do you guys get your parts from for these old load Lugers, as it has been a while since I was a Volvo owner. Many thanks, for taking the time to read and reply, if you do.

Hi,

I normally lift the front of the car with a trolley jack under the front of the subframe, then put axle stands under the rear of the subframe (plenty of flat area for them)...

The subframe bushes are quite a big job I think? Maybe best to leave them as is unless there's no other option??

You should be able to get common parts from Euro Car Parts, for genuine Volvo bits or more obscure stuff I generally use skandix.de

Hope that helps,

Those bushes might actually be better than they look!! Probably don't need replacing.

indeed , i would not worry about those , they might leave an advisory for the next 8 or 10 years :-)

If the bushes are in good order and your concern is that the MOT man just condemns on looks?
You could remove the exposed broken rubber and snap the appropriate size “O” ring over.
I have a 65 year old classic with torsion bars- the exposed rubber can deteriorate but the internals are mostly fine, another real pain if you have to remove them! So some will do this modification.
Only do this on good bushes.
Hope it helps.
Bob

MOT tester here , the bushes . Jack up car & place on stands . Take a pry bar about 300mm ( 12" for the old school mob ) and see if you can make the bush move in such a way as it knocks / clunks / bangs .
DO NOT swing away at them like an agitated gorilla as that is not how we test them !

If when we test there is some movement without any odd noises or any more movement than the rubber flexing , it is pass or pass& advise

5.3.4 Suspension joints, pins and bushes

Some rubber/synthetic bushes are designed to provide a comparatively high degree of compliance and are therefore likely to show some movement.

You should only reject rubber or synthetic bushes when you can see serious deterioration of the bonding or flexible material.

Many MacPherson strut top bushes are designed to have significant lateral play when the suspension is hanging free. You should only reject MacPherson strut top bushes when play is due to wear or maladjustment.

You should assess wear or play in spring pins and bushes using either:

a small pinch bar
wheel play detectors

Wear is excessive if play is more than:

2mm for a 12mm diameter pin
3mm for a 25mm diameter pin
10% of the pin diameter for pins over 25mm diameter

To fully assess the condition of front suspension components you should use wheel play detectors.


And the above is hot from the test manual !

Some great advice there guys, thanks very much. I was thinking they were shot based on there appearance only. I will just do the flexi brake hoses, as these are definitely perished and take a chance.

Ropey looking bushes
 

I've wondered about ropey looking fragmented bushes, but they don't get advisories on the MoT test certificate.

Thank you to the MoT tester for explaining that they just look a lot worse than they really are, and so long as the movement is within limits, there is no point spending a lot of money (in labour hours) to replace them.