Engine: D52447: Support Beam

[AidXC90]

Originally Posted by ts72

Take the chain with you or measure the link gap, and get what you can to fit.

Did that. The chain link gaps are 14 to 15mm. So I'll aim for M12s.

[AidXC90]

A little adendum to this story, I re-read the Haynes manual and saw that they used two support beams straight across the engine bay to reach both lifting eyes, instead of one going at an angle across the engine bay.

[AidXC90]

Originally Posted by Clan

you only need to lower the rear of the subframe about 6 inches after half removing the front bolts to allow it to tilt down at the back .

I've dismantled the front suspension to replace wishbone bushes, discs, hub bearings etc. and now comes the big job. I want to lower the subframe as decribed by Clan so that I can remove the steering rack. I've decided to do this before replacing all the new parts because it'll give me more room to work with less stuff in the way. I'll be supporting the engine and transmission via the support beam as discussed, but I'd appreciate more info on lowering the subframe.
1) I presume I need to disconnect all the lower engine mounts so that the subframe is no longer attached to the engine. Is that correct?
2) Once that is done, I'll loosen/ remove the subframe's rear mounting bolts and half remove the front bolts to allow the subframe to be lowered. Is that correct?
3) Thereafter it's just the removal of the steering rack from the subframe? My car is the 185hp D5. Any other things that I should be aware of before or during the work?

Thanks in advance.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by AidXC90

I've dismantled the front suspension to replace wishbone bushes, discs, hub bearings etc. and now comes the big job. I want to lower the subframe as decribed by Clan so that I can remove the steering rack. I've decided to do this before replacing all the new parts because it'll give me more room to work with less stuff in the way. I'll be supporting the engine and transmission via the support beam as discussed, but I'd appreciate more info on lowering the subframe.
1) I presume I need to disconnect all the lower engine mounts so that the subframe is no longer attached to the engine. Is that correct?
2) Once that is done, I'll loosen/ remove the subframe's rear mounting bolts and half remove the front bolts to allow the subframe to be lowered. Is that correct?
3) Thereafter it's just the removal of the steering rack from the subframe? My car is the 185hp D5. Any other things that I should be aware of before or during the work?

Thanks in advance.

you are correct in all 3 .. disconnect the steering column from the rack before you start , easier from inside the car after removing the big rubber boot , and make sure the steering lock is on in the straight ahead position ..the steering wheel needs to be held in the correct position for the steering angle sensor . You will need all new bolts from volvo for the wishbones , struts , steering rack nuts , 4 subframe bolts and make sure you torque them correctly and angle torque further where necessary . Just about all are "use once only" stretch bolts ...

[AidXC90]

Originally Posted by Clan

you are correct in all 3 .. disconnect the steering column from the rack before you start , easier from inside the car after removing the big rubber boot , and make sure the steering lock is on in the straight ahead position ..the steering wheel needs to be held in the correct position for the steering angle sensor . You will need all new bolts from volvo for the wishbones , struts , steering rack nuts , 4 subframe bolts and make sure you torque them correctly and angle torque further where necessary . Just about all are "use once only" stretch bolts ...

Thank you for the confirmation and advice, Clan. I appreciate your and others help a lot as I'm new to this home mechanic thing and have done very little in the way of this stuff before. I guess an almost total front-end rebuild on an XC90 is a good way to start... can't get much more difficult that this.
That's a lot of new bolts! At about £8 a bolt for subframe bolts alone it's a costly game.

[colinbos]

Ill say this mate.... Ive done a fair bit on cars... but what your doing.... Id think twice about !

Kudos to you. Much respect.

Come back and tell us whats what... try and take some pictures and upload along the way ?

Colin

[AidXC90]

Thanks Colinbos,
I'll do my best to take pictures, but my phone's camera lense is smashed so it takes very poor pictres, and I'm not sure how safe it is to wield a tablet around in confined greasy spaces under a car, both for the tablet and for me when my wife finds out what I'm doing with her tablet