I've just been told that my V70 needs an entire new front end suspension to the tune of $1200 - a problem not uncommon to the Volvo...is this true? I haven't even hit 100K. The car seems to need a major repair like this every year. Am I being unreasonable in thinking this is a bit much?

>a problem not uncommon to the Volvo...is this true?

Yes.

> The car seems to need a major repair like this every year

Not good.

> Am I being unreasonable in thinking this is a bit much?

No.

I did about the same job 2 yrs ago at 7yrs/80K - front geometry was not "alignable" otherwise and was eating tyres. It made some financial sense back then. If the trade-in value is below 5K then I definitely wouldn't bother and go for a new car.

Too early for new struts. But the strut seats could need replacing. Or, just the sway bar endlinks if they rattle. Endlinks you can do yourself, just order a set from IPD, better than OEM.
The strut seats are made of rubber and do disintegrate after time. It's not hard to replace them, but a spring compressor is needed and possible alignment afterwards. I bought a compressor at Sears for $55 and it paid for itself with this job. I already had a torque wrench to button it up with.

Most shops suggest replacing the struts when the seats go, because the labor is the same to replace either. It took me 2 hours to replace the right side and 1 hour to replace the left. Typical learning curve :)

Klaus
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Proud owner of a 220S. If I had more room, I would have more Volvos.

Hello,

I don't know are talking parts and labor here?
The front end is really straight forward checkout fcpgroton, they have prices and diagrams.

I did my 855 last year with better than OEM and it cost me $900. total.
What are you experiencing while driving?

Cheers,

greendread

Sounds like very bad bed springs in the front passenger area. The $1200 quote is parts and labour but I'm in Canada so you can add another 13% on that for taxes. He told me struts, tie rods, sway bar, springs - once you get into the job, you might as well do the entire suspension if you plan on keeping the car. I've had him hold off on ordering parts until I decide what to do. Trade in value of the car is only between $3 - 4K due to an accident in 2004 with another driver running a stop sign and doing $9K worth of damage to my front end. So - should I pay about half the value of the car to fix it with no guarantees that something else won't happen next week? I've just replaced the ABS module in Dec. and the low coolant message is going on and off despite adequate coolant levels...it's been a picky car.

Where bouts are you in Canada? If you get an honest volvo guy he'll probably be able to fix just what needs fixing. I bought a 2001 about a year ago with 242,000kms and had all the original invoices. The dealer had changed the front struts 3 times and it was still clunky (this was what the owner was complaining about) and noisy when we bought it. After driving it for awhile and doing some research I now it needs spring seats. But our Volvo guru changed the ball joint and control arm (said you might as well while you have it apart and the car is much better. If I remember correctly cost about $400 with genuine Volvo parts.

Springs are OK, they are hard to break. Sway bar is probably OK, but bad end links. To verify, turn the wheels to the right. Reach behind the driver's wheel and grab the thin vertical bar and try to shake it. If it moves even a little bit, replace the right and left sides as a set. The end links are easy to replace and will make a lot of noise if loose. Check online for a good set, usually under $50US.

Klaus
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Proud owner of a 220S. If I had more room, I would have more Volvos.

> Springs are OK, they are hard to break.

You'd be surprised... 4-6 inches on the end just break off.

Whats it doing? Is it all over the road? Does the steering wheel osilate back and forth at low speeds? i have the same problem> I think myfront end is gone too but I am just going to keep driving it anyways.

It is the sound which is most disturbing - almost like metal grating on metal when you go over a bump. It is very apparent that the shocks/struts/springs are gone. The mechanic talked about having to cut the sway bar out. My husband owned a Nissan Pulsar years ago which had a shock seize and then go through the frame when he drove over a bump - I'd rather not have to deal with something similar because I've waited too long.

The entire job is three hours for the mechanic. Still thinking about it given that I was quoted $4500 Canadian for the trade in - but they hadn't seen the accident show up on the VIN report. That will take it down a bit - so to pay $1200 plus tax to replace the front suspension is dicey.

What you are describing to me sounds like an upper spring seat, a part known to fail on these cars. They are about $30 and when they go bad and you go over a bump, the whole front end sounds like it is going to come apart but it is actually not dangerous- the noise sounds worse when it is cold. Another option could be the ball joint- I have had that fail and that IS dangerous as your tire will pivot 90* and your cv joint could separate. That cost a whopping $15 for the part. Either could be replaced by a reputable mechanic for 2-3 hours labor. Your mechanic sounds like a scam artist to me. Good Luck!
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1987 740GLE 272K+, 2001 V70 T5 98K+