For a while my 81 245 GLT was making horrible front end clunking rattling when ever i would go ober a bump, and I finally got up and bought myself all new front end bushing and swaybar links and bushings and it was the best thing i have ever done. When i hit bumps in the road i hear no rattles or clunks and the car drives like it were brand new. It was the best thing i have done for my car besides providing gas and oil. If you want a new car feel do yourself and your brick a favor and replace your control arm and sway bar bushings. You will not regret it. good luck

~Mark
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1981 245 GLT (NON-Turbo) 2.1L B21f 95,000 Original Miles, Borg Warner 3 Speed,(soon to be M46) Stock Virgos with 195/60/15's

can this be done with only hand tools?

Yes it can. All you need is a simple socket set and you remove each control arm. The front control arm will need to be pressed out but most of the time they are in good shape (i.e. no cracks) and thus can be left alone. As far as the rear bushings the bucket that the bushing sits in can be un-bolted from the car and the bushing can be hammered out and it with a Rubber/Brass mallet. The ball joints are held in place by simple 4 simple bolts to the strut tower assembly as well as a center nut to its mounting bracket. The sway bar bushings and end links are very easy to install and require no directions. I purchased the front end kit on Ebay from FCP GROTON. I was very happy with the results of my front end work and it is truly one of the best things I have done for my 79 264GL. Next in line is the 79 262C and my newly acquired 84 245DL. Good Luck!

Sincerely,
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Julio Meza

1979 264GL B27F 123K

1979 262C B27F 159K

Features +:

BW55->M46, CLS, 25mm IPD Frt. Sway, 81+ Dash W/ Oil & Ambient Temp Gauges In C, Oil Pressure, Volts

Next Project:+Cruise

Mark - What brand of bushings did you use? I'm getting ready to do the same job myself. Glen
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'88 240GL, '90 240DL, '91 240

I used all Volvo OEM parts. I had the upper bushing pressed in by my volvo dealer and i was able to do the lower bushing myself with some pb blaster and a big rubber mallet. When you do the Control Arm bushings it is also a good idea to also do your stab. bar bushing and endlinks. I never would have done any of the work i did if i did not crash into a curb earlier this winter. oooopppss. but it was the best thing i could do because it made me pretty much rebuild my whole front end. I also managed to destroy my PS rack in the process of the crash. I have my new rebuilt rack and tie rod ends but i have yet to install them. In Massachusetts we are in the midst of another big snowstorm so the rack is going to have wait a few more days. Good luck on your bushings and you will feel you are driving a totally different car. Good luck....

Mark
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1981 245 GLT (NON-Turbo) 2.1L B21f 95,000 Original Miles, Borg Warner 3 Speed,(soon to be M46) Stock Virgos with 195/60/15's