2000 s80, is there a cure for slight play on top suspension mounts?

Discussion in 'Volvo S80' started by cr2112, Jan 30, 2008.

  1. cr2112

    cr2112 Guest

    hi

    if i bounce the car on the front wing, i can feel some play on the top
    suspension nuts, had it all to bits and re-tightened them , there is 2
    nuts on the top, 1 locking one and another star shaped.still has
    slight knocks when driving, dealer says he can replace both front
    shocks and mounts but he cannot say if will cure, says most s80's do
    this,

    any ideas?
    col
     
    cr2112, Jan 30, 2008
    #1
  2. i would call IPD tec support guys and quiery them if they have
    any of their special bushings or parts that may help...that
    knocking is aggeravating...to say the least.....

    anyone "out there in volovo land" know who or where i can
    find a shop to work on my HU-8-1 s80 radio/cd palyer? one of the 4
    disc "bays" or "stations" wont take and play the cd...i just get a
    funny
    clicking noise and the mssg "CD ERROR" on the window..??


    thanx !!

    richard
    colorado
     
    ~^ beancounter ~^, Jan 31, 2008
    #2
  3. cr2112

    joelandyman Guest

    Hi there. This problem is hard to spot, but easy to fix. (I'm
    presuming your lower ball joints and steering joints are good.)

    In short, the TOP SPRING SEATS on the front suspension struts need
    replacing. These are the hidden cause of all those knocks and rattles!
    Note that you will have to compress the spring before you remove that
    star shaped nut. It's the only thing holding the force of the spring
    back.

    Here's how to do it.

    You need to remove the front suspension struts from the vehicle,
    complete with springs. This is not difficult, just 3 bolts through the
    inner wing (surrounding the two nuts you mentioned), and two bolts
    down near the wheel hub. There might be a brake pipe clip or ABS
    wiring clip which needs releasing.
    Remove the centre-bolt for the driveshaft, so that when the hub hangs
    loose you don't pull the driveshaft CV joint out of it's housing
    (they're a crap, fragile design).
    When you've got the strut on the bench, you can remove the top lock
    nut from the shock absorber, remove the rubber-ringed washer, and pull
    off the swivel-mount which contains the bolts which go through the
    inner wing.
    The top part of the shock absorber goes through the rubber spring
    seat, and it has a metal bush which the star-shaped nut tightens up
    to. ***PLEASE NOTE *** In order to remove the rubber top spring seat,
    you will need to compress the suspension spring. Do this carefully,
    using some proper spring compressor clamps!! When the spring is
    compressed and it is loose on the strut, you can safely undo that star-
    shaped nut on the top of the shock absorber. The rubber spring seat
    can then be removed, AND REPLACED!! If you look carefully, you will
    see that the bonding of the metal bush (where the shock absorber goes
    through) has failed. By flexing the metal bush, you will see cracks in
    the rubber, or the metal will be completely loose and free. I've
    changed these on various V70s.

    Conclusion: Don't let your dealer fit new shock absorbers, as that
    won't fix the problem. just change the top spring seats. In the UK,
    they cost a little over £20 each from the main dealer. My car needs
    these, and I'll be changing them again soon. That's twice in 130K !!
    If you're located any where near peterborough UK, bring it over and
    I'll do it for a fraction of the dealer's price!!!

    hope to help. This seems to be a common problem, and is yet another
    simple issue which the main dealers can't seem to diagnose. (sorry,
    couldn't resist!).
     
    joelandyman, Feb 1, 2008
    #3
  4. cr2112

    cr2112 Guest

    hi
    thanks for all the info, i just knew it might be something sort of
    simple. i do live in grantham, so might be able to bring the car over.
    if i could get some time off work, i could maybe come down and let you
    do the job, if it could be done in a day.
    and you are correct, dealer did say new struts ect!

    colin
     
    cr2112, Feb 3, 2008
    #4
  5. cr2112

    cr2112 Guest

    hi
    thanks for all the info, i just knew it might be something sort of
    simple. i do live in grantham, so might be able to bring the car over.
    if i could get some time off work, i could maybe come down and let you
    do the job, if it could be done in a day.
    and you are correct, dealer did say new struts ect!

    colin
     
    cr2112, Feb 5, 2008
    #5
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