So I went in for the 47k check-up at the dealership and they said that I would very soon (within a month) need to get the front bushings replaced. I told them to hold off on it (asking $700 + alignment). I'd figure I'd try it myself.

After doing a quick google search I found I can probably get the bushings for ~$60, which means the majority of that charge was labor.

My question is: can I, should I, and how would I do it?

I figure worst case scenario I'm out $60 on top of the $700 Volvo wanted from me to do it themselves. And if anybody has a chance I figure I do. I have a copy of VADIS, a good set of tools, strong back, and a degree in mechanical engineering. I figure it'll take me... 8 hours no break?

If anybody wants to shed some light on whether I should do this or not, tips, and advice on how to do it please let me know. I'm also trying to figure out if I should order the bushings from Volvo or 3rd party.

on ordering them, try fcpgroton.com since all their stuff is volvo suppliers. on changing the bushings, don't know if it's the same as the 850. prob not. so i don't want to disillusion you about how easy or hard, or offer any advice on doing it. if you do have vadis, read through it completely several times to familiarize yourself, as opposed to the greek way which is plow ahead and curse along the way. :grin:

haha that sounds a lot like what I do anyway. Thanks for the tip.

I'm still looking for somebody who can offer any advice or tips on replacing them (specifically, VADIS calls for some special tools right at the end of the replacement if anybody wants to shed light on that) but I did find this for others interested in following suit:
http://autorepair.about.com/od/fixityourse...shings_repl.htm
Even though it's for rear bushings it seems pretty much the same concept.

All right so I hate to double post BUT:

I found some great info on replacing the bushings. The web page above was a great resource, but to save space if anybody else is looking to do this send me a PM and I'll send you what info I got.

I do have one question though:

Does anybody know if it's safe to use a 2-piece polyurethane bushing instead of the 1-piece rubber that's OEM? And if so, has anybody been able to find one, or should I just go generic?

If original Volvo bushes have only lasted 47k i would go with the aftermarket one,s as they can,t be any worse and they will probably be better

Well here's my update before I get down and dirty:

I ordered bushings, and decided to stick with OEM. Non-OEM were hard to tell if they were the right size, and when I was thinking about going Polyurethane and talked to the rep. he said don't, especially for an S60 that isn't very tricked out. He said that it willg ive it a sportier handling, but you will hear every bump and creak from the road in your dash.

I bought (4) 3-ton stationary car jacks, a 3-ton mobile car jack, (2) 4" clamps, a 6" clamp, and a propane torch w/ propane for $150 at Home Depot today. I bought all 4 bushings, (2) rear and (2) front, for about $110 today. Total cost before work = $260. Volvo asked = $705

and with the savings, you can get a whole crap load of beer and celebrate the fact that you did the job yourself :beer: niiiiiiiiice. good luck and post back, drunk if possible, so that we can celebrate with you.

I had the same repair done (with alignment) last year in Ann Arbor, Michigan for $480.

I'm scared now, because I'm moving to Atlanta next month, and I'm worried that Volvo repair costs will be through the roof. (I know that a brake job looms - interested in doing it with me?)

Well I spent about 6 hours yesterday working on the bushings and here's how far I got:

1. Took (1) wheel off.

A couple of days before I took it to the local dealership's service department and they must of used a high-torque air powered wrench to put those lugs on. I couldn't get them off for the life of me. No rust on them whatsoever. They were just on there wayyyy too tight. I tried wd-40, liquid wrench, and a breaker bar and could not get them to budge. I ended up using my floor jack to jack the wrench around slowly, and ended up breaking the OEM wrench doing so.

I ended up buying a new wrench and getting the bolts loose, but it was getting too late for me to keep working so I put it all back together. Hopefully I can finish the job tomorrow after work.

And to Pentheos:
The cost of everything in Atlanta is high. If you shop around though there are some pretty good Volvo mechanics around. It just turns out that the only place that has hours that fit my schedule that's close enough for me to get to is the dealership. I'm sure I could get the same job done for probably $200-300 less at another mechanic. But I thought it would be more fun to do it myself.

More updates when I actually do it.... Tomorrow.

so how did it turn out? I'd really love to know as the dealership is telling me I need my lower control arm bushings replaced for, you guessed it, $700.

Worked. If you want some details pm me