V70: Suspension MOT and suspension bushes

[V7T]

Both my rear arm bushes failed. The rubber bush rusts out of the outer arm. One of mine was completely separate. It did squeak a bit before I replaced it, but maybe it was failing before it made a noise.

Anyway, this must have been a fault recognised by Volvo as the replacment arms come with covers filled with goo to put over the bushes after installation to stop water ingress.

I needed a special tool. Appartently also fits Mondeo Mk4. However, on some models of V70 (mine!) left and right are different as one also has an integrated exhaust hanger on the trailing arm bracket. Had to do some McGuyver-ing to use the old bush outer to make the tool work with the exhaust hanger side (not enough travel on the tool before it fouls the larger bracket of the trailing arm).

[Moondust70]

Originally Posted by Matt A V70

Just to add, there is no obvious sign to me that the bushes are gone - no strange noises, no uneven tire wear, no back end sliding around all over the road etc!

Oh ........... you will know when they have departed from this world ........... they usually protest very loudly with squeaks and groans !

Not the nicest bushes to change but doable with the right press tool, however, it is a much easier job with the vehicle on a 2 post lift.

With reagrd to bushes and MOT .......... The MOT tester has to follow what is refered to as 'Minimum Standards', therefore bushes are generally an advisory unless very badly worn with metal to metal contact.

[Semnoz]

Originally Posted by Matt A V70

Thank you Model flyer.

What that means is that a car might be unroadworthy and should have failed the MOT but has passed because a fault is hidden. There could be other potentially lethal problems hidden behind that plastic panel and still a vehicle can pass the test?

I wouldn't say failed trail-arm bushes are always going to make a V70 unroadworthy.

Mine were completely gone when I bought my car (it was raining that day, and then on and off for weeks, so I didn't notice/diagnose the squeaking until quite a while after buying it and put it down to bad luck).

I only replaced them as the sqeaking was annoying me. Apart from the quieter ride, I didn't really notice much difference in the car's handling. It was slightly more controlled at the back, and quieter over rough gtound, but not by a huge amount.

The P3 V70 has quite robust linkages to the hub carrier, so even if the trail-arm bush is really loose, it's not as if the rear wheels will be wobbling around. So it wouldn't surprise me if an MOT didn't pick up on this.

I certainly don't solely rely on MOTs to reveal issues to me. In fact, on a Ford I used to own, I had to insist on the MOT tester being more rigorous in identifying a suspension issue that I was aware of (I didn't mind receiving an advisory as at least it would tell me what the problem was).

Are you considering replacing them yourself ?