95 850 GLT wagon- I know the general practice is to replace the whole lower control arm, (fronts) but does anyone ever just replace the bushings / ball joints? Theres a shop down the street that could probably press them in. Any places where I might source those parts? Just looking at all of my options...Thanks! Dave

 

There were control arms with replaceable ball joints. They were aluminum and the ball joint bolts on. The stamped steel control arms have a built in ball joint and there isn't a replacement for just the ball joint.
Bushings are available
IPD
FCP
There are also polyurethane ones available
Polyurethane Bushings, 850, S/V/C70 - ViVA Performance

 

Kiss- thanks for the reply. Sounds like on my 95 I can replace the bushings but can not replace the ball joints (although I havent looked under my car- I thought the bolt on ball joints were on earlier models, right?). That is kinda stinky- why would anyone replace the bushings and leave the old ball joints in there? If you can put new bushings in there you ought to be able to replace the ball joints too. seems to me. Dave

 

Depending on what it costs you to get the bushings and have them installed and the trouble of pulling the arms it might be better to just replace the arms. That way you get new bushings already installed and a new ball joint. If it has enough miles to take out the bushings it's a fair guess the ball joints might not be in the best shape either.

 

I went to the jy and got the arms with the replaceable ball joints.

 

kiss- yeah I figured it might end up costing about the same- unless I can easily fabricate a tool for pressing out / pressing in the bushings. The ball joint issue kinda blows that idea though.

RSPI- I did think about getting the older style control arms at my U Pull It and replacing bushings / ball joints, might check the price at the yard. Would the replaceable style arms fit my 95?

Dave

 

Looks like too much effort and not enough cost reduction...ball joints look to be $40 each!

 

I picked up 2 good arms for $19 each. After several months I have one bad ball joint so I will replace that. Yes on my '95 R.

The dealer wanted $179 per arm so I feel real good about my decission. Also, you can install poly if you'd like. They may last longer and will be firmer if that's what you want. You can get a set of arms for $120, decent quality that will likely last you 5 years, 75,000 miles. I hope to put another 200,000 on my car so I wanted to be flexible.

 

Using the aluminum ones isn't so much for any cost reduction it's more for having a serviceable ball joint.

 

well I took a stroll through another local u pull it yesterday abd did find an 850 with the aluminum control arms with the bolt on ball joint. one side the ball joint was removed. up front they told me $13 for the control arm. So I guess I'm considering the switch.

I havent been to this yard in a while- a ton older volvos. I really was surprised. maybe 5 or 6 850s 4 or 5 V70s and a couple crashed S70s, about 4 740s and a 960 and a 240 sedan.
Just east of Syracuse...Dave