Snapped Steering Stop Limiter Bolt

[Millie20]

Hands up, I am an inexperienced automotive diyer. In fact this evening was the first time I've removed a wheel from a car - be gentle. I do however have some experience with motorcycles and am very interested in maintaining my new to me 2006 v70, and love to learn.

I may have been a bit too keen with my ratchet this evening, admittedly whilst enjoying a brewdog hazy Jane (delicious hipster beer). I was inspecting the suspension, after hearing a clunk earlier today (for another post), when after noticing some evidence of wheel rub I decided to swap the steering stop limiters. With three little ones and the wife in bed, I had nothing better to do. No one told me middle age would be so Rock and roll.

I managed to snap one of the bolts holding on the drivers side limiter. The other bolt is on firmly, holding the limiter to a point where it cannot be moved by hand.

My query is whether 1. It would be possible to drill out. 2. It would be detrimental in any way to drive the car gingerly and ensuring I do not lock out the steering. 3. I have to replace the control arm.

Delimma, as an aspiring home mechanic, I have very few tools (you'll notice my shiny new axle stands in photos below) and I've just moved to a new area where I know no one. It's so dire, drilling out would require the purchase of a drill.

Interested to hear your thoughts. Thanks in advance.

[Dancake]

I had the pleaaure of having to remove a snapped bolt from one of these control arms. The steel bolt reacts with the aluminium arm and corrodes in place, and because the arm is aluminium you can't really apply heat without potentially compromising the structural integrity of the arm. You were lucky in the sense that it was the easier to access bolt that snapped.

I drilled a 5mm hole up the centre and used a broken bolt extractor to remove the bolt. No amount of WD40 will help with this. The corrosion will stop the fluid from moving down the threads. Get a decent extractor as well. Something with straight flutes such as the Irwin 6 piece set. You're only wasting your time if you buy one of the cheap sets online.

[Millie20]

Thanks Dancake. Is this what you're talking about?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Irwin-Hanso.../dp/B001D1FXDE

[Dancake]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Irwin-Tools...in+extr&sr=8-6

I've always found the straight flute versions to be more successful

[Millie20]

Originally Posted by Dancake

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Irwin-Tools...in+extr&sr=8-6

I've always found the straight flute versions to be more successful

Brilliant, thank you.

[Millie20]

I don't suppose anyone can point me to which bolt I need to order as a replacement? Is this the type of information available on Vida?

[Dancake]

Volvo part number 987430

[myfirstv70]

Youtube is a really good source of how-to's....a steel bolt into aluminium will always be a problem especially with salt and damp - it's an electrochemical corrosion paradise! Getting a pilot hole in the bolt is tricky, you need a good centre mark on a flat surface on the bolt otherwise the drill bit will run off and chew the ally arm. Go in small and open the hole up progressively and keep everything crossed. Slowly does it!
HTH,
Nobby

[JoeNinety]

Slowly does it!

and that means drilling very slowly as well, plenty of oil/grease on the drilling point too. You will need a variable speed drill. I would start with a 2 or 3mm bit and work up mm by mm.

[wynnj]

If the car's new to you have you checked the state of the wishbone bushes? If they're worn or near to being shot you might be better off biting the bullet sooner rather than later and changing them and swop the limiter stops over at that stage.
Just a thought especially if you have the same problem undoing all 4 bolts.