My BIL is looking to have me do some work on his 99 V70. He wants the fuel filter changed, new rear shocks/ mounting plates and new rear control arm end links installed. The filter and shocks look straight forward but the end links appear to be a potential PITA. Anyone done these before? Any tricks?
Thanks in advance.
Everything is on with Torx fittings. I had a set of Torx socket bits that made working on my Volvo much easier.
In reply to JohnRW1621:
Thanks. I have a full set of Torx bits so at least that's covered.
Hardest thing about the end links can be pretensioning from the frame mount bushings. Otherwise, torx or allen in the hole (forgot which) and a wrench on the nut.
The Mehle replacement end links have a hex on the shaft, so you don't play with an allen wrench or torx. I use these myself.
Make sure you get the right ones. There are several different variants of the V70's, with different rear suspensions and different endlinks. This can get messy/tricky, and some of the parts sites just don't have it right at all (rockauto for example).
V70 has the same rear trailing arm "delta link" as the 850 right? I did the link replacement on my 850, and would probably just find another used car if I ever find myself needing to tackle that project again.
Volvo makes a special tool to remove them, and some of the Volvo forums "share" the tool among members as requested.
I used heat and ratchet straps to remove the old links, putting the new links in while not exactly easy, wasn't quite as challenging as removing the old ones.
My neighbor said the fuel filter is an expensive job, the mechanics he went to both wanted in the range of $1,000 for labor alone.
bigdaddylee82 wrote: V70 has the same rear trailing arm "delta link" as the 850 right? I did the link replacement on my 850, and would probably just find another used car if I ever find myself needing to tackle that project again. Volvo makes a special tool to remove them, and some of the Volvo forums "share" the tool among members as requested. I used heat and ratchet straps to remove the old links, putting the new links in while not exactly easy, wasn't quite as challenging as removing the old ones. - Lee
This is what I've read. Are there any pictures or videos of this replacement. I'm doing this job as a favour. I have a pretty well set up shop and a 2 post hoist but I've never had to use a ratchet strap to remove a suspension component.
In reply to Mmadness:
Assuming the fuel filter on the V70 is like the 850, pretty much everything else is, it's just an inline canister filter, if I could get $1000 a whack replacing those, I need to open up shop in your neck of the woods. 
In reply to Wayslow:
Here's a thread I referenced: http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=31294 But please don't hook the other end of the come-along/ratchet strap to the jack stand the car is sitting on. I ran the strap to the front control arm mount.
Here's where I talk about it some more: http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=25601&start=42 but it really doesn't shed much more light on the procedure.
The proper tool:
If you've got a welder, some scrap metal, and time you could make your own similar.
Wow, sounds like the mechanics were trying to take 'em for a ride. If I new it was that easy, I would have offered to do it for them.
In reply to bigdaddylee82:
Out of curiosity, I did a search for that tool and found it on MySwedishParts.com. Don't browse for it - enter the part number into the search field. Shows up as $104 (w/ MSRP of $79?). No idea about availablity, though.
This thread is givening me shudders... my god how I hated working on ex-g/f's 850 wagon... every single project fought me like hell.
In reply to Ian F:
Oh, it's not been that bad, those suspension links were probably the worst I've had to do, followed by the PCV replacement, those were the most time consuming repairs I've done. I did an engine swap on it, and that wasn't any worse than any other FWD car, just drop the sub-frame with everything on it out the bottom.
I did cheat and do the timing belt, tensioner, pulleys, water pump, etc. on the "new" engine before I put it in the car, that was cake.
Granted, I haven't had to replace the A/C Evap yet (knock on wood) 
You were luckier than I... every task I tried to do fought me. Finally I gave up and let a Volvo specialist fix it... and it fought them as well. One of the worst cars they've worked on. I guess I got used to working on MINI's which I've found to be so much easier (despite what everyone seems to think).
Well I replaced the end links, rear shocks and fuel filter today. Took about 5.5hrs to complete. Snapped a couple of bolts due to rust and age. Basically a major PITA.
There was a point when we had the rear axle tied back with a rachet strap, a come along tied to the end link and I was using a sawzall to cut the bushing. I turned to my brother inlaw and asked him what he thought would appear on Coroners report.
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