URGENT ~ Sub Frame Bolts

[Sportwag]

Please can I check - should I have subframe bolts where the side steps are located? I only appear to have one main bolt at each corner of the subframe - the other two bolts at each corner are missing. Not sure why but I suspect that they were not replaced when the side steps were removed. Please can someone confirm that there should be 3 bolts in each corner holding on the sub frame(s)? Can upload a picture if required.

[stuarthartley]

when i put my steps on i changed 8 bolts and now have 8 smaller ones left off, but i dont think 4 of them were crucial ones, hope that helps

[Coconut]

When you buy Running Boards they come with new bolts :
a total of 4 x M12, and 4 x M10, using two of each per board / per side of the car.

These are longer than the existing bolts bolts fitted to the mounting points.

The Volvo installation instructions say to remove the original bolts and "place them to one side - they will not be re-used."

It looks like someone has removed the running boards from your car,
for example before you bought it,
and have not replaced them with the original shorter bolts.

They do need to be there - so a trip to your Volvo dealer to order some replacements would be a good idea !

[Bill Edmondson]

Yes get them replaced!! I fitted steps recently with the extended new bolts, but popped the old in a bag and tucked away under boot for future use.

Glad you noticed!, well spotted!

[ianu]

Yes defo need all the bolts on this mounting. I had steps fitted from new on mine and was very suprised to find out that the dealer did not keep the shorter ones with the car when they had to remove them to fit the longer ones to hold the steps.
I had an awkward conversation with them when I realised that when I wanted to take my steps off to refurbish them - I would have to purchase 8 new bolts which technically were on the car when it was built but they had thrown away......I got a decent discount and now keep them in the car 'just in case' I should happen to break a bracket ahem !

Cheers
Ian

[400-ascona]

Originally Posted by Sportwag

Please can I check - should I have subframe bolts where the side steps are located? I only appear to have one main bolt at each corner of the subframe - the other two bolts at each corner are missing. Not sure why but I suspect that they were not replaced when the side steps were removed. Please can someone confirm that there should be 3 bolts in each corner holding on the sub frame(s)? Can upload a picture if required.

I had the same problem. The person who sold my car was a cheap skate and removed the factory fitted running boards, and didn't bother to replace the bolts.

Highly dangerous and I suggest you don't use the car until you have bolts fitted. IIRC the bolts were expensive from Volvo (around £70), so I bought some second hand running boards with bolts for £250. I didn't want to use the Volvo without the bolts so I had to fetch them in my Lotus Carlton. Luckily the seats fold down in the back, but the guy wasn't happy that I wanted to put them in the car!

Rob.

[ianu]

Originally Posted by 400-ascona

I had the same problem. The person who sold my car was a cheap skate and removed the factory fitted running boards, and didn't bother to replace the bolts.

Highly dangerous and I suggest you don't use the car until you have bolts fitted. IIRC the bolts were expensive from Volvo (around £70), .....

I didn't run without them either.. and yes the price did smart a bit which was why I haggled with the dealer.

Must admit - it hadn't crossed my mind that anyone would remove them and NOT replace with the right bolts let alone NO bolts ! - but I suppose once you get into second hand territory it's probably one of the important checks to make if it hasn't already got steps fitted. Maybe we could add it as a Sticky note advice note for people looking at second hand cars (and if you're buying new with them fitted - ask the dealer for the bolts back).

Cheers
Ian.

[Beavis]

i bought my steps 2nd hand off ebay from bristol. the guy that sold them had just removed them from his 12 month old xc90 as the buyer knocked a couple of hundred off the price when he sold it.

he gave me the longer bolts with them, so i gather he sold his without the bolts in place.

amazed me at the time as to be honest, i couldn't be bother to remove them for a couple of hundred quid, let alone flog the car without the bolts in place.

he had 2 new Bmw/porsche on his drive, so it was stuborn-ness rather than necessity.

[Sportwag]

This was a Volvo Approved Used Car serviced and sold by a Volvo Dealer minus the sub frame bolts!

[Leonjazz]

Hi I'm just about to buy some original volvo xc90 running boards but it's got no fixing (bolts)
I have looked everywhere online for theses
Does anyone have any or know the link to get them
Or even the sizes ... ??
I know they are 4 m12 and 4m10
But I need the length if I'm going to buy some
Could do with some help please