Control arm brand

Derry · Sep 2nd, 2022, 12:48

After nearly 2 years waiting in the queue for MOT (Northern Ireland), it passed with just minors at Nearside: CV boot split; and play in ball joint. Both original never replaced.

I see in ebay pair of control arms going for around £65. Is there preference for particular brand. Are there brands I should be staying away from.

DaveNP · Sep 2nd, 2022, 14:23

Fortunately fitting new control arms hasn't been something I've had to do too often so limited experience, the one brand I wouldn't use again is QH or Quinton Hazel, I had to get a new arm quickly when mine failed the MOT and that was all that was available locally, it didn't last as long as the other arm which was still the original (as far as I could tell), the subsequent replacement was bought from PFS and is still going strong.

Check you're getting the correct one, there's two types of fixing with either two or four bolts.

Luxobarge · Sep 2nd, 2022, 19:02

I'd recommend either a genuine quality one from Volvo or a heavy duty Mehle part. I have replaced several, first I bought a standard one from PFS, which didn't last long, so I replaced it with PFS's "heavy duty" version which is a Mehle brand, and it's still going strong and showing no signs of degradation at all. Buy cheap buy twice, it seems.

Baffler · Sep 3rd, 2022, 06:06

There's a pair of Meyle HD control arms >here< which should suit your car and the seller appears to be in NI. They may supply one side only but I personally tend to replace such items in pairs as you no sooner have one side replaced and the other side fails...plus it keeps the geometry in good order.

If you plan to replace the arm/s yourself be mindful that the subframe to bushing nuts/bolts must only be fitted finger tight and then torqued once the car is resting on the flat. Some folks raise the arm with the help of a jack and torque whilst the wheel is removed...I opt for the former. It would also be recommended to carry out a four wheel alignment once reassembled especially if the car is used regularly at motorway speeds.

Just for reference I believe I paid around the €300 mark, back in 2017, for a pair of genuine Volvo (4 bolt) arms which makes the Meyle HD pair look like a bargain.

And for further reference the 4 bolt type arm was fitted to the R, AWD, TDI, C70 and some police spec. T5's 🤓

SteveSarre · Sep 3rd, 2022, 09:57

Hi Derry

Also worth noting that you can get the Meyle arms with all 3 bolts

eg
https://www.apd.co.uk/search/5160500016hd

https://www.apd.co.uk/search/5160500015hd

HTH
Steve

280E · Sep 3rd, 2022, 11:07

Are the fixings for both types of arm 'stretch bolts', not to be re-used?

SteveSarre · Sep 3rd, 2022, 12:07

Hi 280E

I believe so.
I don't have torque and stretch specs to hand, but maybe you can find them elsewhere.

Steve

Derry · Sep 4th, 2022, 01:53

Thank you all for the recommendations. Found Meyle arms for around £54 each inc postage

Any recomendations on the make of the CV boot kits - wheel side. Thanks

Sep 2nd, 2022, 12:48	#1
Derry Member Last Online: May 19th, 2024 02:03 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NI	Control arm brand After nearly 2 years waiting in the queue for MOT (Northern Ireland), it passed with just minors at Nearside: CV boot split; and play in ball joint. Both original never replaced. I see in ebay pair of control arms going for around £65. Is there preference for particular brand. Are there brands I should be staying away from. __________________ 1996 P reg 850SE 2.0 N/A 10V Estate Auto, B5202S, Fenix 5.2 system

Sep 2nd, 2022, 14:23	#2
DaveNP Non VOC Member Last Online: Yesterday 21:06 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Milton Keynes	Fortunately fitting new control arms hasn't been something I've had to do too often so limited experience, the one brand I wouldn't use again is QH or Quinton Hazel, I had to get a new arm quickly when mine failed the MOT and that was all that was available locally, it didn't last as long as the other arm which was still the original (as far as I could tell), the subsequent replacement was bought from PFS and is still going strong. Check you're getting the correct one, there's two types of fixing with either two or four bolts. __________________ David V70 2.5 10v Torslanda Manual 98 Sreg

Sep 2nd, 2022, 19:02	#3
Luxobarge Premier Member Last Online: Today 17:32 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Horne (Nr. Horley)	I'd recommend either a genuine quality one from Volvo or a heavy duty Mehle part. I have replaced several, first I bought a standard one from PFS, which didn't last long, so I replaced it with PFS's "heavy duty" version which is a Mehle brand, and it's still going strong and showing no signs of degradation at all. Buy cheap buy twice, it seems. __________________ Some people are like Slinkies, they serve no useful purpose but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them downstairs.

Sep 3rd, 2022, 06:06	#4
Baffler Premier Member Last Online: May 17th, 2024 18:21 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Co. Limerick, Ireland	There's a pair of Meyle HD control arms >here< which should suit your car and the seller appears to be in NI. They may supply one side only but I personally tend to replace such items in pairs as you no sooner have one side replaced and the other side fails...plus it keeps the geometry in good order. If you plan to replace the arm/s yourself be mindful that the subframe to bushing nuts/bolts must only be fitted finger tight and then torqued once the car is resting on the flat. Some folks raise the arm with the help of a jack and torque whilst the wheel is removed...I opt for the former. It would also be recommended to carry out a four wheel alignment once reassembled especially if the car is used regularly at motorway speeds. Just for reference I believe I paid around the €300 mark, back in 2017, for a pair of genuine Volvo (4 bolt) arms which makes the Meyle HD pair look like a bargain. And for further reference the 4 bolt type arm was fitted to the R, AWD, TDI, C70 and some police spec. T5's 🤓 __________________ Liam... '96 854 TDI SE, '99 V70 2.5D S, '05 C70 2.0T Collection, '05 S80 2.0T SE, '15 V70 D4 SE Lux Nav.

Sep 3rd, 2022, 09:57	#5
SteveSarre Premier Member Last Online: Today 09:42 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: London/West Country	Hi Derry Also worth noting that you can get the Meyle arms with all 3 bolts eg https://www.apd.co.uk/search/5160500016hd https://www.apd.co.uk/search/5160500015hd HTH Steve __________________ V70 2.5 Turbo AWD Man. 1999 Red V70 2.5 10V Auto 1998 Green C70 T 20V Auto Conv. 2001 Blue, C70 T5 Auto Conv. 2000 Blue V70 2.5 Turbo AWD Auto 1998 Green, V70 2.5 10V Auto BiFuel 1999 Red (scrapped) V70 20v Auto 1999 Green (scrapped) Last edited by SteveSarre; Sep 3rd, 2022 at 10:01.

Sep 3rd, 2022, 11:07	#6
280E Member Last Online: Mar 11th, 2024 19:42 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: North Lincs	Are the fixings for both types of arm 'stretch bolts', not to be re-used? __________________ C70 T5 Coupe Auto 2000 MY Venetian Red

Sep 3rd, 2022, 12:07	#7
SteveSarre Premier Member Last Online: Today 09:42 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: London/West Country	Hi 280E I believe so. I don't have torque and stretch specs to hand, but maybe you can find them elsewhere. Steve __________________ V70 2.5 Turbo AWD Man. 1999 Red V70 2.5 10V Auto 1998 Green C70 T 20V Auto Conv. 2001 Blue, C70 T5 Auto Conv. 2000 Blue V70 2.5 Turbo AWD Auto 1998 Green, V70 2.5 10V Auto BiFuel 1999 Red (scrapped) V70 20v Auto 1999 Green (scrapped)

Sep 4th, 2022, 01:53	#8
Derry Member Last Online: May 19th, 2024 02:03 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NI	CV boot kit Thank you all for the recommendations. Found Meyle arms for around £54 each inc postage Any recomendations on the make of the CV boot kits - wheel side. Thanks __________________ 1996 P reg 850SE 2.0 N/A 10V Estate Auto, B5202S, Fenix 5.2 system

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