I have a clunking noise and have narrowed it down to the front left sway bar bushing. I can not even see it let alone replace it. What is the process for replacing bushing or is this better left to a professional. $12.00 part, how hard could it be?

 

You have to drop the subframe that the steering rack is attached to.

Will take you about Half a day Atleast.

 

MOOG makes some polyurethane bushings that I used.Seems to ride better with them insead of factory.BJ

 

Are you sure it's not the swaybar links? If they go bad they will cause a clunking noise over bumps. If you grab each end of the swaybar and pull down, see if you feel any sort of popping. Sort of like knuckles cracking. If you do the swaybar links are bad, and much easier to replace than the swaybar bushing.

 

Sway bar link is more likley, Easy to replace but a torch to heat the nut is almost always needed.

 

Is it bad to drive with the clunking sound for a few days wether its the bushings or the links? Will it cause more damage?

 

Usually not

 

Still haven't gotten the clunking fixed, I'm sure it's the bushings cause I'va had that problem before. I know driving for a few days is not a problem but it;s been a few weeks now. I didn't get a chance yet, is it dangerous? Also I live in Montreal where it's pothole city, I don't want to get it fixed and in a month there finished again. How long can I go without causing more damage and is it dangerous?

 

It is not dangerous. The car may just slightly sway back and forth in the front a little more till it is fixed.

 

thanks tech. greatly appreciated.

 

how can I get the instruction PDF to replace the front swaybar bushing for the volvo s40 2001

 

There is an instructional PDF? You could always get a copy of VIDA if you have a 32 bit Pro version of Windows.

It's not overly difficult to replace. It's just a tad bit tight if you have big hands. I used a small 1/4 drive ratchet with 10mm socket to get the bolt off and on. The bushing itself has 2 halves in which the bottom fits into the top with 2 grooves. On one side I greased the bottom rubber part and tapped it into place with a hammer and chisel. The other side I forced the halves together and then slid the whole thing into place on a greased sway bar.

 

I just want to point soumthin out:
If the sway bars are disconnected, either the front or rear, Volvos turn into some kind of insane beast. I know that's not what your saying but I have had Volvos come in with one or the other fully broken, fully separated links as an example. The geometry of the whole thing can change drastically during high speed turns, (anything over 30 mph,) and the cars literally are uncontrollable and will take on a direction of their choosing. Do it for fun sometime to see how insane these cars can become with messed up sway bars. Like at an abandoned airport or really big lot.

 

So if you replace just one bushing now you have one side that will be fully bonded and one aftermarket thing you have created? Really bad idea. You have just created an permanent unbalanced situation. Which will give permanent unknowable and unpredictable driving results, I would think creating such a situation would be seriously dangerous and for a commercial shop is the kind of thing that would kill someone someday. Am I'm surprised that so many knowable people would recommend this? Seriously? Just replace the whole bar with either an OEM replacement bar or one of the many fine aftermarket kits. The aftermarket kits also help with the ride and performance if your interested in that kind of thing. Ipd makes a great replacement bar and kit.