I wonder if anyone has had good or bad experiences with automotive machine shops removing and replacing rear suspension bushings (all but the axle bushings)? I could take the components to a Volvo dealer and have them do the job but their price is at least twice the $100 I've been quoted for the 8 rear bushings. I'm just concerned a non dealer will be a lot more likely to make a mistake than a dealer as they may not have the exact tools/dies etc.

If I do go with the auto machine shop, is there anything other than pointing out the 2 panhard bushings are different and must be placed at the correct end? I also noticed that on one of the panhard and both of the front axle bushings the rubber is not solid and the solid part appears to be oriented a certain way. The new torque rod bushings are the polyurethane type so that shouldn't be a problem.

I pulled the suspension off my '81 240 and took them with bushings to a reputable suspension shop "experienced with Volvos". Big mistake. Now my car clunks over bumps. I wish I had removed the bushings and attached the replacements properly like the other post suggested.

After I save up the money, I'm gonna have to replace the panhard rod and its bushings, probably the trailing arms and their bushings, and also the front control arms and their bushings. Big bummer.

Generally I will not take my car to the Volvo dealer (I prefer my independent Volvo repair guy). I just might take my next suspension repair to the dealer, however.

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-- Bruce / '82 244 (315k miles!), '86 745, '87 760Ti, '94 854

Hello,

I just had my rear (and front) bushings pressed last week. To save money at the machine shop, I removed them myself by drilling out the rubber, carefully cutting a notch lengthwise along the sleeve with a hacksaw blade mounted on a jigsaw, and then knocking the old sleeves out with a cold chisel and hammer.

I then attached all the new bushings with zip ties to their respective locations on the arms, rods, etc., marking the orientation of the new bushing to the proper location on the arm/rod with a 'Sharpie' marker. I assumed (because I forgot to look before I removed the old bushings) that the solid portion of the bushing should be oriented in such a manner as to take the most load presented to it.

The shop originally quoted me $8 per press (10 bushings would have been $80), but when I picked them up, they only charged me $50.

Good luck,
Ron
1987 245DL 200(?)K

I recently had to go to a machine shop when I needed the bushings pressed from the front control arms. I was charged $10 for each bushing plus I had to have pressed one of the old balljoints from the mounting plate.
I didn`t know where to go either so I called a couple of auto parts places and they recommended this one guy and I have no regrets.
See what you can do. It`ll probably be cheaper at a machine shop and they`re usually pretty well equipped and experienced.

Jim S.`86 245 208k