I'm replacing the rear suspension bushings on my 1990 240 (Canadian model) this weekend. However, my Volvo dealer says he has no listing for the bushing for the axle-end of the dogbones (upper reaction rods), only for the front ends, part# 1273622. He said if I wanted the bushing for the rear end, I could always buy the whole rod for $167CDN each.

I glanced over the rods under my car last night and, without having taken them out yet, the two ends look like they'll take the same bushing.

So, my question is, has anyone changed the bushings at BOTH ends of the dogbones, and what were the part numbers?

Thanks.

I've replaced these.

There very tough to get out. You'll need a hydraulic press. I didn't use Volvo parts.

I put in the blue IPD polyuethane bushings. They go in without a press.

Thanks for the reply, Jim.

Do you remember if you all four dogbone bushings were the same? I pulled the links out tonight, and the front and rear bushings look identical (and all torn to shit). I think the Volvo parts system got a little screwed up when they went from microfiche to the new 'Windows' computer version.

You're right, they are a bear to pull out. And without a press, I'll get the machine shop to do the grunt work for me.

Cheers.

These "dog bone" bushings are all the same. The IPD blue urethane ones go in with out a press. I'm sure they'll last alot longer.

These were the only ones that were "toast" when I checked all the rear end bushings. I've got an '87 with 155,000.

I got the IPD kit for the whole rear BUT you'll never get those big ones out of the rear end (axle housing) without a special tool. You can't very well carry this to a machine shop.

A while back I got a Brickboard "Red Star" for my question on how to get these mo fo's out. With all the posts I got, the only way is to beg, borrow, or steal the special tool.

I managed to get those big pigs out by drilling a line of holes along the exposed shell, then cold chiselling the remainder until they fell out. It wasn't elegant but it worked. I couldn't really see throwing the axle in the trunk of my backup car and bringing it to the machine shop. I got the new bushings in with a big C clamp, some cussin' and some well-placed 'persuasion'. And no bent flanges.

Those were easy compared to the front trailing arm bushings. After farting around with one of those mofo's for about 1.5 hours (sans 12T press), I dropped the trailing arms, the panhard rod and one dogbone off at the machine shop in the morning, and picked it all up on the way home.

I just I picked up the last two bushings from my Volvo dealer and then dropped the dogbone off at the machine shop for a little "R & R".

The IPD bushings sound a little more robust than the factory ones, but I figure as long as I don't try to do get the front wheels off the ground on every green light these should last me another 11 years. Maybe next time...

Tonight it all goes back together, and I await my next 'project'.

Cheers.

I just did mine on my '89 240. I believe they were identical. These are the shorter arms that run front to back and atach to the top side of the axle. Yes?

The one rod that runs across the back, those bushings are different.

The worst and the most beat up bushings were the two that are on the bottom of the axle. That's the one that made all the clunking go away. I did my bushings in to seperate sittings. The three rods one day and then the bottom axle stuff the next weekend.

Thanks Tony.

Yup, they are the ones that run front to back, from the top of the axle to the body - sounds like you know them well too. Having one out and taking a good look, the ends look identical. So confident am I that I brought one of the dogbones and both of the "front" bushings to the machine shop to press in. I have another two more "front" bushings on order, so tomorrow I'll bring in the other dogbone and get them pressed in. I'm not sure why the Volvo parts system only has a listing for the front ends of them. One of those things, I guess. (Makes me wonder how many people buy the whole rod just to get the rear bushing.)

I changed the big ones on the axle last night. Man, were they in sad shape. The rubber was wore clear through, and making a hell of a grinding noise every time I started out. But what I'm saying here is nothing new, is it?

In second place are the dogbone bushings.

Cheers.

If I remember correctly, you do have to position the bushings a certain way on those. They are like a small web inside, I think the web has to be in parallel with the rod. Just make sure the new ones go in the way the old ones came out.

Maybe they upgraded the rears to urethane so they hold up longer. I bought mine from this great company IPD. I can send you that info If you are interested. I've bought a few things from them lately. With 186000 on the odometer things are getting worn.

Tony H '89 200

I noticed that too and pointed it out when I dropped the parts of at the shop. They were almost insulted. But when you don't spell it out, some dork manages to screw it up. I'm happy to say so far they've done the first dogbone and the panhard correctly.

As far as using the IPD parts, well, I'm afraid the horse has already left the barn in this case, but I'll keep them in mind for the next time.

Cheers.

Doesn't hurt to speak up before getting cranky. Some of these guys are not as conciensious as you would hope they would be.

I mentioned IPD because they do sell some good parts and most of the time in stock and less than dealer. I don't have a local place that sells Volvo aftermarket.

If it ain't a part for a small block chevy, they don't carry it. Small block chevy Hmmmmmm. I put one in the jeep, mayyyyybeeee....nahhhhhhhhh

take care