First, if there are no boots protecting the polished shock shaft, these shocks will wear out in very short order!! Should not have been assembled without the protective boots.

Next, get a large pipe wrench or giant channel lock pliers. jack and support front of car and remove wheels. Lock steering (remove ignition key). Attempt to tighten the cartridge retainer nuts.

Now check sway bar bushings - both the end link grommets AND the bushings that hold the sway bars. Also check the end links - either bushing if bolted to control arm, or grommets if passes through the control arm

Check to make sure that the big cross member bolts are tight - tighten from the top - they are on top of the frame rails. If they are loose, consider installing the optional Volvo lower cross member braces to prevent loosening in the future.

Check INNER tie rod ends for looseness - if worn, replace tie rods.

Check ball joints - these are spring loaded, so you must check with the giant channel lock pliers by squeezint the joint vertically - if there is perceptable movement, replace them, or if the boots are torn replace them.

Check the large bushings at the rear of the lower control arms - these often look OK but are worn out - you need to use LARGE pry bar and inspect closely with strong light - both forward end and the end inside the mount plate any sign of deteriorated or torn rubber is cause for replacement of BOTH sides. Note that the right and left are different - one is harder rubber. Also, when installing, suspension MUST be loaded and settled prior to tightening or you will destroy the new bushings (same goes for most suspension bushings).

Check MOTOR mounts! Old soft shocks may have covered up other problems - now that you have good shocks, other worn parts may start to show up.

Steve

Volvo Club of America