Hi Scott,

I believe you are talking about the front control arm's rear bushing.

If that is the case the original bushings are as you described. You can

probably buy them from Volvo. The reason that you are given solid ones

in the kits is because that is what became the standard replacement.

The original types were specially designed to reduce road noise and

harshness and to give a good ride. The problem is they don't last very long. The solid ones give a handling improvement because they are less

compliant. They also last much longer. I believe you will really like

them much better. I have a Volvo service bulletin that informs about using

the solid ones instead. Volvo says they may make a slight steering wheel

shimmy at speeds above 80mph. But I personally haven't ever had them

cause this and I don't usually go 80mph. I may have accidently gone that

fast and I never had any shimmy.

Do you know that to replace the rear trailing arm bushing you will need

a special hand press tool? This is a barrel shaped hand press that fits

around the bushing on its brackets. There is a spacer inserted between

the brackets so they don't collapse and the tool presses out the bushing.

Other than the cut and hack method this is the only way to replace it.

All the other bushings you can replace with the press you are buying.

But this one stays on the axle, thus the need for a special tool.

I love the feel of a 240 after I replace the shocks and bushings. There

is nothing else in my opinion that makes your car feel so much like a new

car. The decay is so gradual you don't notice and when you have one of

these cars used you never really knew how nice they feel when its all

new. Happy rolling!

Dave 82 242ti