Hello

Has anyone used FCP Groton's Control arm stay (conical) bushings to good effect?
I'm talking about the standard rubber ones. They are $5 apiece, an attractive price. I have however heard that some of you are experiencing failures with aftermarket bushings. I found some OEM online for $10, and I don't know what Volvo charges.
Don't want to spend too much or too little.
And I definately don't want to have to replace them again.
740man

I've gone through a set of new rubber bushings on my 89 740 in 2 years. Your best bet (I did this) is to spring for the poly bushings. They work great and will wear like iron. Just be sure to buy 2 metric bolts that are about 1cm longer than the OEM ones. It makes the installation SOOOOOOO much easier (ask me how I know).
buena suerte,
el Raidman

Thanks raidman,
I have seen some polys online but I always read this:

" This bushing is used on vehicles that have had had the control arm stays and related bushings replaced with service units designed to reduce brake vibrations. The length of these replacement control arm stays (#6819079) is 388.5mm, and these replacement bushings (#6819057) contain a different rubber compound than bushing #1359599. WARNING: These parts must be installed only while there is a load on the front suspension, otherwise damage to the bushings may result!
In addition, if the inner bushings on the suspension (bushing #1273235 for the control arm plus the non-replaceable bushing incl. w/ control arm stay #6819079) show ANY signs of wear, they MUST be replaced at the same time. Otherwise, premature failure of the outer bushings can result, which IS NOT covered under warranty!"

I want to make sure I get the stock ones. I can't imagine that I have replacement stays as stated above, but it is possible. Yuck! that would mean taking the front end apart and measuring the stays, and then getting the bushings. No muy bueno...

740man

I also used FCP Grotons' poly bushings on my "newest" 744 but I had no problem using the original bolts. On another 740 in the fleet I bought poly bushings from IPD(at about twice the price) and they came with the longer bolts that WERE needed to install them. Make sure that if you need longer bolts that they are of the proper grade and that you use threadlocker on the bolts when you reinstall them regardless of what length bolt you have to use. I also coated the bushings liberally with a lube made by Energy Suspension just for poly bushings. Every thing slides together smoothly with it and prevents the dreaded poly bushing squeak. Later,rcs.