Hey everyone,

My '88 244 has a bit of a rear clicking sound gonig on and looking at the FAQ's I suspect the rear torque rod bushings and the suspension guys concur. How hard of a job is this to do myself? Should I leave it to the suspension guys? They estimated around $400-500. I don't want to wait much longer for the circles to become ovals and then leave me looking for a new axle.

I have changed the in-tank pump, timing belt, things on that level of repair.
Just curious on some thoughts.

Thanks to all,
Chuck

Not sure a clicking in the rear would be TRB's but they are indeed easy to swap. I recommend poly for these as they last stinkin' forever, do not roughen the ride and are hand press in. The only tough part at home is getting the old dead outer steel liners out....the first time I did these at home was before I had the 20 ton press, I hack (reciprocating) sawed the old bushing out then with a punch knocked the sleeve out. After freezing the new poly bushes and smearing a little silicone grease on the slid in place with a little pressure.
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http://www.fidalgo.net/~brook4/oilslubesfilters.html

Yea, I just swapped out my torque rod bushings and I pulled them myself along with the panhard rod and had the local garage remove and replace 6 bushing for $50. Just make sure the bushings are oriented properly - the guy at the shop that I used didn't know and I had to instruct. Just look at them carefully after you remove them. Once you have the car jacked up, it takes about 10 minutes per rod.

The only difficult bushings on the rear suspension are the rear trailing arm bushings. They usually give a clunk as you pull away after backing up. They require a special tool, but they can be made- check out this site:

http://www-ese.fnal.gov/People/wilcer/volvo_trailing_arm_bushing_tool.htm

Even with the tool they can be difficult. There is a lot of information in the archives on these.

The torque rod bushings simply (relatively) can be removed from the car and taken along with the new bushings to a full service auto supply shop and swapped in using a press. My guess is that the price you were quoted was for the trailing arm bushings and not the torque rod bushings. Either way I think you can do much better in price!!

Randy