Volvo RWD 200 Forum

'89 240 wagon, 207K. I want to replace the struts, ball joints, out tie rod ends, control arm bushes, link bushes, and stabilizer bar bushes.

I plan to remove everything and then replace it all with new stuff. Is this a good way to go about this? While there is alot of excellent info on all of these jobs, I haven't seen a write up on the whole package.

I'll take the c-arm out and have the guy press the bushes for me. Then I can drop the strut assembly. It seems I will have to disconnect the brake lines as they are wound around the strut tower. That's OK, I want to bleed the brakes anyway.

So I plan to:
remove the stabilizer bar
remove the link to c-arm
Disconnect the brake lines above the strut tower
undo the control arm mounts, front and back
disconnect the ball joint to c-arm
Disconnect the tie rod ends
pull the strut assembly out with caliper in place

I plan to rebiuld the strut assembly on the bench.
Compress springs
remove upper bearing, will be replaced
remove ball joint from tower
somehow get the strut out of the tube

Please consider whether I am missing something. What is the best time to remove the ball joint from the strut? Something with the brakes? Something regarding the tension of the spring while it's on the car? Thanks