how long?

[djneils98]

how long should it take to change both front suspension arms on a v70?

[100K+]

Originally Posted by djneils98

how long should it take to change both front suspension arms on a v70?

It really is that vague....
IF you know what you are doing, have done the job before, ALL the bolts etc UNDO as they should, and you reuse the chassis rail bolts - ( unless you raise or lower the engine = more work/time they cannot be fully removed) I recon each side could be removed/replaced in approx. 1/2hr. If you can't get the driveshaft through the wheel hub cos its on there like SOLID.... pick a time from 1- 10 DAYS lol .... and they do stick- peps come on here asking how to get them out!!

If your new allow an hour for 1st side, then 30/45 mins for 2nd side.

99% sure Si Robb has done a good UTube vid.

Cheers
Bob

[djneils98]

Originally Posted by 100K+

It really is that vague....
IF you know what you are doing, have done the job before, ALL the bolts etc UNDO as they should, and you reuse the chassis rail bolts - ( unless you raise or lower the engine = more work/time they cannot be fully removed) I recon each side could be removed/replaced in approx. 1/2hr. If you can't get the driveshaft through the wheel hub cos its on there like SOLID.... pick a time from 1- 10 DAYS lol .... and they do stick- peps come on here asking how to get them out!!

If your new allow an hour for 1st side, then 30/45 mins for 2nd side.

99% sure Si Robb has done a good UTube vid.

Cheers
Bob

thanks - it's just I've been quoted like 230 quid for labour to do them and I have seen a video of 1 side being done in about 25 mins

[cheshired5]

Yes I did a replacement video a while ago showing how you can replace it without undoing the driveshaft.
I used a heavy duty ratchet strap to install the new one.
I also have recent videos which show that undoing the driveshaft or indeed that whole area is not a job to be feared.
You'll need good quality tools though and as Bob alluded to, a few options for stubborn nuts and bolts.

I definitely would advise against setting yourself a time limit though as sod's law says that it will come back to bite you.

[Kev0607]

Is there a recommended mileage interval for struts to be replaced as such?

EDIT - Apologies, I misread the post. I thought it related to struts, not control arms. My mistake.

[Georgeandkira]

Strut build quality, thus lifespan, appears to vary. 100K is a number often thrown about and you often hear posters here mentioning higher mileages.
I dawdled and finally did my '02's at 150K and as shot as mine were I couldn't feel any pronounced improvement!

NOTE: This is why Bilsteins are going into my car.

The previous owner's of my current car replaced their struts at 57K! Their invoice mentioned seats too so I don't know if the struts were suspect of if rattling seats prompted their visit to the shop. Any job requiring any front end disassembly invites replacement of any-and-all related perishable parts.

That's my point. If you need to replace your control arm bushings (or struts) or want to upgrade their bushings to poly-my recommendation, feel free to do any of this stuff early. You won't go wrong.

[TDIvolvo]

Originally Posted by djneils98

how long should it take to change both front suspension arms on a v70?

Depends - 45mins to an hour if you have the right tools and are handy with them. A day if things go wrong, you have wrong tools etc.

[TDIvolvo]

Originally Posted by djneils98

thanks - it's just I've been quoted like 230 quid for labour to do them and I have seen a video of 1 side being done in about 25 mins

If that is at a garage on a ramp then they are just pulling the wool. I have a 2 post ramp and an impact gun, and I can do my suspension arms in literally 35-45mins for the pair and that is taking care, using anti-seize where needed, just generally doing a good job.

I would ask them how long it takes and see what they say, then ask what their hourly rate is. Armed with that suggest it should cost an hourly rate and see what they say. I would pull them up on it - tell them Autodata says 30mins a side so are they on £230.00 per hour.

[TDIvolvo]

Originally Posted by Kev0607

Is there a recommended mileage interval for struts to be replaced as such?

EDIT - Apologies, I misread the post. I thought it related to struts, not control arms. My mistake.

I got 210,000miles out of my originals!

I changed them because I thought they needed a refresh, didn't notice much difference, wish I hadn't bothered until they started to leak or actually went bouncy.