I just did an oil change, tire rotation and general inspection on my 97 850. It doesn't get much use anymore and because of that not much mechanical attention . It takes me a year or so to put 3,000 miles on it these days and it just a few clicks shy of 354,000 total. I found some things that need to attention, probably not really even safe to drive at this point. Anyway to the point. The upper right rear spring mount is rusted to the point the edge of it is breaking away. I'm wondering if those mounts are replaceable. I can't tell if they are welded or bolted to the uni-body. I don't see a part available on FCP Euro, so I'm thinking they are not replaceable. I need to replace the trailing arm bushings and would like to only take it all apart once if possible. It is hard to judge how severe the spring seat problem is while everything is still assembled though. Any advice??? Thank you in advance!

 

Check out the following thread:

https://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-...mp-stop-43547/

The spring fits into a spring seat which is then contained by the mount. that fits into the body with two bolts. If the body is rusted, you need to find a body shop that will weld in new metal for you. If the body is solid but the mount/seat components are shot, then you're off to the web for parts.

On my 850, the body had rusted where the trailing arm end link bolts on and I had a restoration shop weld up both sides for $500 or so...

 

As far as I can tell the body is solid. For the age, mileage and environmental conditions this car has been in it has very little rust. Never know what is lurking underneath that spring seat though. I will have to take a closer look and hopefully just hunt for parts. Thank you.

 

Easy repair. First step is remove the interior trim / covers to get at the two bolts holding the shock mount to the body. you can then undo the top two bolts and the bottom mounting bolt on the shock. Once out of the car, you can disassemble the shock mount etc. Shouldn't take more than 1-2 hours per side.

 

This is what I'm working with. The rusted, almost not existent upper spring seat/mount and one of the trailing arm bushings. Both bushings are like this.

It is hard to tell for sure on swedishautoparts.com if part #1 listed as "washer" is the part that is rusted away here. I'm thinking it is.

To change those bushings it looks like I will have to almost completely remove at least one trailing arm. Does this seem right?

Thanks in advance!

 

You can get that spring out without dropping the axle; Unhooking the shock is sufficient to get it out. I agree with you part #1.

If you want to do the trailing arm bushings too, then it would be "sort of" easy to remove the whole axle with just 4 bolts. the trouble is the brakes and e-brake cables will cause you possibly more aggravation than the alternative. Structurally, the axle just falls off with 4 bolts and you are planning to remove all 4.

 

I got the spring out and my situation is worse than I imagined. I thought snapping the upper mounting bolt off was a good possibility, but hoped of course that I could avoid it. You can see in the pictures, I could probably break it off by hand. I despise rust! It looks more like the remnants of a stud that was welded on. With the gas tank right behind it, any type of heating is pretty much out of the question. Not sure what I'm going to do now Grind it flush, attempt to find center, and drill it out?

 

Same thing are these mounts replaceable? Not strut mount. The same one rusted hear

 

Did you end up finding a solution to this problem? Because a buddy of mine has the same problem, just wanting a better idea but already have an idea of what needs to happen