I'm new to my 240 and I just got the bentley book to show me how to replace front suspension stuff. I've discovered that the book often says not to re-use bolts, but I've also heard some people ignore this: e.g. the brake caliper mounting bolts. How does one judge when bolt-replacement is unnecessary?

Specifically I'm wondering about the 4 bolts that mount the ball joint cup onto the end of the strut tube. The ball joints came with hardware to mount to the A-arm but not these four bolts. Can I re-use these with some locktite, and if so, will locktite blue be sufficient? That's what I've got laying around, though I notice what appears to be red locktite on the threads of the bolts that were on there.

thanks

If you're gonna use Loc-tite, use the blue. The red stuff on the bolts is something similar to loc-tite blue.

That said, most folks reuse all the fasteners. Word is that some heat (MAPP/Propane torch) will clean all that old red glop off right quick. You do want it all gone, as it'll skew your torque readings when reassembling.

If the fasteners are rusty/scary looking, they're cheap from Volvo.

As for the use of Loc-tite, it's not needed in practice, as long as you torque things properly.

-Ryan
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Athens, Ohio
1987 245 DL 324k, Dog-hauler
1990 245 DL 142k M47, E-codes, GT Sways/Braces, Dracos, A-cam
1990 744GLE 189K 16-valve
1991 745 GL 304k

Taking the loctite/torque patch off with a MAPP gas torch could very well heat the bolts
to a point where the original heat treatment is compromised.
I would use a wire wheel or just forget it!

I second Jorrell's statement. It's not that teh hardware was strained, it's a matter of the anti vibration goop.
Car manufacturers have a problem with front suspension hardware vibrating out. Go figure
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'75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwrd, two motorcycles, '85 Pickup: The '89 Volvo is the newest vehicle I own. it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me http://home.lyse.net/brox/TonyPage4.html http://cleanflametrap.com/tony/

When Volvo recommends bolt replacement, that means that they have something called "torque patch" on them, also known as solid loctite. In short, add some "soft non-permanent" loctite and you are fine.

Head bolts can be a different story due to stretch.

jorrell
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92 245 308K miles, IPD'd to the hilt, 06 XC70, 00 Eclipse custom Turbo setup...currently taking names and kicking reputations!

hi Jorrell, thanks for the response. I could see the loctite on the bolts that were on there, but wasn't sure if they were original. When I add new loctite do I need to remove all of the crusty old red stuff (assuming this is the volvo material), because it seems hard to get out of the threads?