Hi there,

I took my car to a Volvo dealer today and they came up with a long list of problems, most of them relatively minor costs. However, there is one thing that sounds to me like a rip-off and was wondering if someone could confirm or deny it.

They told me that the rear control arm bushings were shot and that is what was causing my car to vibrate at around 60-65mph. They told me the repair would be $950. I searched for this part online and found its a ~$30 part.... I realize there is a labor cost involved but that seems pretty extreme to me. Anyone have any experience with this issue?

 

Sorry no here from me I have never seen the rear bushings go bad.

 

I actually had someone tell me that recently too. I think the labor to replace a control arm bushing all in and of itself isn't too much. But if you just by a part of this bushing (the part that is usually bad) instead of the entire arm, that's where the labor comes in. I had a non-Volvo dealer fix it for me after I got a big estimate from Volvo for the control arm bushing. After he got the little part he needed to replace, that's when he realized what a difficulty it was to replace the piece rather than the entire arm. He didn't charge me much because he told me that he could do it with no problem. It was not until he started that he realized that it was harder to get apart than he initially thought. So if Volvo is charging a lot to replace the entire control arm bushing, in my humble opinion, they are kind of ripping you off.

 

i have seen the rear lower control arm bushings go bad on the s60s after about 4 to 5 years. as for the vibration i havent noticed a vibration but more of a popping noise over bumps or if severely torn when hitting the brakes will cause the car to pull to one side. labor is the main reason why they are so expensive seeing as most shops charge around 105.00 an hour.

 

well from what i understand the cost isnt really about the part its is about the labor, some dealerships refuse to put in the bushing because if how labor intensive it is, they opt for the replacement of the whole arm. to be honest, (i had my two front bushing replaced), the price for either the short labor and new whole arm VS. the bushing and all that labor is about the same. regaurdless, you would have to be in a pretty bad accident to bend a control arm. but the bushing go back just like our mounts. just remember that control arm bushings are not a safety issuse, just comfort, so that being said, you can judge whats important

 

I have a 2001 v70t5. I need to replace the cv and control arm bushings.Is it worth the trouble to replace the bushings or should I just put the whole arm on.we're talking a 100 more bucks a side.