I have (unsuccessfully) tried to change my traling arm bushings on my car ('78 245), and am giving up and reassembling it. The arm now seems too short by about an inch. I can connect the rear part by the differential, or the front part just past the shock absorber, but not both. Did I bend it or is there some trick that I'm missing here?
78 245 Trailing arm
Nov 12, 2003
5 Replies
Because the bushings are shot, the axle is not located properly and can twist. The differential assembly is heavier on the front, causing the axle to rotate. Lift up the front of the diff with a hydraulic jack, which should rotate everything into line.
Is it the front or rear bushings you're trying to replace? For the big rear ones you need a special tool, there's plans out there to make one, though it's MUCH easier if you have access to a metal lathe.
differential,
IPD wants quite a bit of money for the tool (the Volvo dealer too). There are instructions buried in the Brickboard's 700/900 FAQ (go figure) on how to make the tool yourself for very little money.
- alex
'85 244 Turbo
Yeah it cost me about $15, my friend owns a machine shop though so we were able to turn some of the parts on a lathe, but anyone with a basic metal lathe can do it.
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