Suspension: 850: MOT failure advice please

[RaelG]

Hi Guys,

Sven (our beloved 1995 850 2.5 SE saloon) has just had its MOT and has unfortunately failed on 3 things. 1 is wiper blades and is not an issue. However, the other 2 could be expensive. The centre could not give us a price there and then, so I wondered if anyone here could give us advice on potential cost.

The failures are:

"Nearside front lower suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint"
"Offside front lower suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint"

The chap gave a rough estimate of approx £180 a side but was not sure as he could not get prices for part.

Any help appreciated guys, thanks in advance.

[bobbych]

not genuine but half the price, so its upto you if you take a chance on less quality products

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VOLVO-850-S70-...item5ad4ae4971

[John_C]

What they said x2, fit the genuine parts. Drop Rufe a PM and see what price he can do. I think fitting is about an hour a side, then you'll need the wheel alignment doing too.

Cheers,
John

[Lancee]

Is it not similar to a V70 (other forum members please help) ? If so the ball joints can be changed without changing the suspension arms, around £35.00 a side for the part from German & Swedish or such like ?

[ovlov25]

Originally Posted by Lancee

Is it not similar to a V70 (other forum members please help) ? If so the ball joints can be changed without changing the suspension arms, around £35.00 a side for the part from German & Swedish or such like ?

Nope, they are not serviceable. The entire control arm has to be changed and there is 2 variations available. One version which is fitted with 4 bolts (Police and Diesel models IIRC) and the 2 bolt fixing (T5, 20v etc etc)

I have 2x genuine, 6 month old 2 bolt control arms from my recently scrapped T5. I bought them off Rufe last september and did maybe 4K on them. They'll be on Ebay Monday night. (or pm me if interested!)

[RaelG]

Thanks a lot for all your replies guys, much appreciated.

I will only go for genuine parts, suspension is not a place I wish to scrimp and save!

We're on a pretty tight timescale as we're off on holiday Tuesday morning (well, hopefully we are, but there aren't any flights!!!) so purchasing new or used parts for a garage to use probably isn't an option. However, before they call me on Monday with a quote I wanted to be armed with some info on estimated cost so I can compare what they are quoting.

So, I'm looking at £115 parts each side? Plus approx £60 labour an hour each side so about £350? Reasonable?

Thanks again all, really appreciate your help.

[Merc85]

I'd say if it's the to bolt arm, 30 mins per side, no probs. Suspension arms Aftermarket FAI, Lemfoder, all this genuine stuff? Volvo dont make anything check out who they buy from. ie Mahle oil filter's?

[John_C]

What Merc85 says is right, if you can track down the OEM and order the same then it should be just as good as a part stamped with Volvo. Unfortunately I don't know who makes the suspension arms for Volvo.

Problem is that some of the aftermarket suspension components are not good but if a big name like Lemforder makes them you're probably going to be OK.

If ovlov25 can arrange a 24 hour courier to your garage that might work out best all round?

Cheers,
John

[kristan_uk2]

Stick with genuine parts when and where you can, cheaper parts are just that, ok if in a bind and skint but wouldnt have them on long. Could you not change them yourself? 30mins a side an hour tops per side if bolts are stubborn.

[RaelG]

I'm not mechanically minded enough nor do I have the space/equipment to do so unfortunately. Have got it booked in tomorrow at a local garage so hopefully that will sort it.

Thanks for all the help guys!