Suspension: rear suspension overhaul coming up..advice?

[Clifford Pope]

Originally Posted by honestjoe

Morning clifford...i imagine that levering the pump upwards makes the seal..(head seal).. ...i"m torn now replacement..and would the seal kit come from volvo only?..thanks for that...hj.

That's right. It's very cheap, and sits in a recess in the pump body with a turned over lip which is pressed hard against the face of the block.
The difficulty is that you have to keep it levered firmly upwards to squeeze it at the same time as tightening all the pump securing bolts.
Also of course the pump has to slide a bit sideways which risks tearing the main gasket. What I did was use red hermetite on the main gasket, which makes it slippery until dry, and try and keep the pump levered loosely upwards while tightening the bolts finger-tight. Then apply a long lever for the final lift, and tighten the bolts fully.
It is possible single-handed, but easier with two. The risk is that you let the pressure slip a bit before you get the bolts tight enough.

[honestjoe]

Originally Posted by Clifford Pope

That's right. It's very cheap, and sits in a recess in the pump body with a turned over lip which is pressed hard against the face of the block.
The difficulty is that you have to keep it levered firmly upwards to squeeze it at the same time as tightening all the pump securing bolts.
Also of course the pump has to slide a bit sideways which risks tearing the main gasket. What I did was use red hermetite on the main gasket, which makes it slippery until dry, and try and keep the pump levered loosely upwards while tightening the bolts finger-tight. Then apply a long lever for the final lift, and tighten the bolts fully.
It is possible single-handed, but easier with two. The risk is that you let the pressure slip a bit before you get the bolts tight enough.

Thanks clifford ,the knowledge is all important..all this front end work is leading up to my cambelt change as well..also torn between replacing belt tensioner ..i"ve shelled out quite a bit this month on the suspension refresh but at the same time trying not to cut corners...i may start another thread for this but i"m also sure i"ve seen the pros and cons of replacing tensioner every ?miles...thanks clifford...hj.

[Andrew (UK)]

If the tensioner seizes then it will cause the timing belt to snap which will probably ruin your day. I just replaced mine on the car I am doing the head gasket on as the old one no longer felt smooth. I don't intend tearing into that engine again in a hurry.