Tech,

Need your advice for 95' 850 wagon with 120k miles. The right wheel bearing needs replacement as per two mechanics, one of the mechanics suggested that I should replace the sway bar links on both sides because they get loose when a wheel bearing is bad. One gave a cost of about $860 vs $350 from the other one.

What do you suggest & recommend.

Regards,

 

I wonder why there is such a difference in price... The part itself is 105 for an aftermarket one or 160 for the Volvo one from FCP. I've never done a wheel bearing before on the 850s so I'm not sure what to say. I'm sure if you’re good with your hands you could probably do it yourself with out a whole lot of trouble.

You can test the endlinks with a channel lock. Put one side on the end of the bolt pu the other on the end of the link, if you notice play then its time for new ones. If you’re not a handling nut the OEM will be a fine replacement if you want something that's stiffer go with IPDs endlinks or if you want some crazy expensive ones that are huge go with the ones QBM offers.[align=left] [/align]

 

I think the big issue with wheel bearing is whether you have a press or not. I bet the bearing is pressed into the hub (like most FWD cars). Now you could contact a machine shop or independent mechanic that would press the old bearing out and new one in for a fee. On my old civic they charged me $60, which was their hourly rate (it took no more than 20 minutes I'm sure to do), but I couldn't get my press to fit up with the odd shaped hub assembly.

$350 to do the entire job is not out of the ballpark if it includes the part. - AB

 

I should have shared this earlier. The sway bars were replaced about 3 months ago and therefore I do not believe they are loose, willcheck.

The difference in cost includes replacement of the sway bars and labor (slightly expensive than the other).

My question is do I have to replace them just because the wheel bearing is being replaced.

 

Hello guptash,

This mightbe of some referencebefore Mr, Tech can post reply:

Front hub & bearing unit (integral unit, cannot be serviced separately):*
http://www.fcpgroton.com/volvo850driveline.htm
Volvo: $159 ea. (comes with new hardware)
Aftermarket: $105 ea.

Sway-bar link rods:*
http://www.fcpgroton.com/volvo850suspension.htm
Volvo: $27.50 ea.
Hamburg Technik: $15.00 ea.

Procedure:
http://www.volvospeed.com/Repair/FWDbearingHub.htm

*Should you decide to buy parts on your own, check with the mechanics to see if they accept parts from you, some shops do not accept parts from customers.

I assume the price difference between the two mechanics may be the parts they use; one may use high-quality parts, while the other may not.

Good luck,


JPN

 

Wow was I wrong. That's an easy fix. I would see if you can find a mechanic that will allow you to bring the parts. - AB

 

You're talking about the end links right, not the actual sway bars correct? The only reason to replace the sway bar in the front is if the bushings are shot, this can be checked visibly.

End links should not cause an increse in price by $510 it's a cheap part ($30 ea. for the OEM at FCP) and probably an hour at most for labor.

 

The wheel bearing is about as easy to replace as an Axle.
Once the axle is out there is only 4 screws holding the Bearing into the hub.

Check the sway bar links.
A bad bearing won't cause them to go bad.

 

http://www.quickbrickmotorsports.com/prod_endlink.html

Front End Link Kit (Front and Rear) for 850/98-00 S/V70/98-04 C70: $180


http://www.quickbrickmotorsports.com..._linkfront.jpg


http://www.quickbrickmotorsports.com...d_linkrear.jpg

 

850s don't have rear endlinks
[align=left] [/align]

 

Folks,

Thank you for your advice, the delaer did the whole job for$325 (including tax).

 

Glad the job is done.

When I did the sway bar link rods, the steering felt noticeably sharper.

Regards,


JPN