I'm not sure why I'm only noticing this now, but last year the dealer basically redid my entire front suspension. I've got a 94 850 thus my car is supposed to have aluminum a-arms, but the dealer put the steel ones in. Is this a big deal? I haven't really noticed anything different, and I would think the steel ones would be better from a performance side. The only loss I see are the replaceable ball joints.

 

Hello Mr. info2x,

Greetings from Chicagoland.

As you noted, the large downside of replacing the control arm with steel unit is the lack of replaceable ball joint. The dealer might have replaced it so when you need to replace the ball joint, you'd have to replace the entire control arm (more $ for the dealer). The later VIN-numbered cars come with steel arm, Volvo either found a problem with aluminum arm or simply didn't want to replace the ball joint alone for less $. My car has aluminum arm and so far there is no damage/deformation. I also replaced the ball joint, only $16 each and they looked/felt high-quality (Karlyn).

Some high-performance cars come with aluminum control arms/brake calipers for weight-reduction purpose, but steel units are more durable in general.

Regards,


JPN

 

Next time you need control arms or ever want to up grade go to QuickBrickMotorSports.

 

the dealer who did the job probaby wanted to hose ya for more expensive parts!

 

you also find upgrades at rkautotechnik.com :-D

 

Yeah I've been to QBM and rkautotechnik, but for now I'm good. I just thought it was funny that somehow I've got steel a-arms now when I know I had aluminum ones because the dealer gave them back to me. I'll tell ya right now, Suburban Volvo in Troy, MI is not a good place to deal with.