Volvo XC90 Front Control Arm & Ball Joint Replacement DIY (2003-2014 P2 XC90 3.2, 4.4 V8, T6)

►The front control arms on Volvo's XC90 are responsible for controlling the movement of the suspension while going down the road. The bushings installed in the arms help control vibration and harshness but will lead to a sloppy and vague ride when worn. The suspension also uses a ball joint on each side to help with control. You'll hear the worn joints as they clunk and knock over bumps and through corners. Completely ripped bushings will lead to dangerous driving conditions, so be proactive about your control arm and ball joint replacement.
The standard replacement interval for these parts comes around 80-100,000 miles after installation, but results will vary. Rough terrain and aggressive driving will shorten their life. Luckily, the XC90 is one of the more popular Volvos around, so we've put together an entire front suspension refresh kit to help you completely revamp your SUV's ride. Included with the fresh control arms and ball joints are new tie rods, struts, strut mounts, and other goodies, all covered by our Lifetime Replacement Guarantee.
Follow along as Mike Hidalgo, FCP Euro's Professional DIY'er, takes you through a front control arm and ball joint replacement on a Volvo XC90 V8.
00:00 - Intro
01:17 - Tools Needed
02:28 - Volvo P2 XC90 Splash Shield Removal
02:56 - Volvo P2 XC90 Wheel and Strut Removal
03:31 - Volvo P2 XC90 Front Control Arm Removal
04:54 - Volvo P2 XC90 Front Ball Joint Removal
05:55 - Volvo P2 XC90 Front Ball Joint Installation
07:19 - Volvo P2 XC90 Front Control Arm Installation
10:21 - Volvo P2 XC90 Front Lower Strut Installation
11:04 - Volvo P2 XC90 Wheel and Splash Shield Installation
11:38 - Wrap-Up
Shop the parts used in this video:
Volvo P2 Comprehensive Suspension Kit: www.fcpeuro.com/products/volv...
This video applies to the following vehicles:
Volvo XC90
2003 Volvo XC90 Base 2.5L L5 Suspension Kit
2003 Volvo XC90 T6 2.9L L6 Suspension Kit
2004 Volvo XC90 2.5T 2.5L L5 Suspension Kit
2004 Volvo XC90 T6 2.9L L6 Suspension Kit
2005 Volvo XC90 2.5T 2.5L L5 Suspension Kit
2005 Volvo XC90 T6 2.9L L6 Suspension Kit
2005 Volvo XC90 V8 4.4L V8 Suspension Kit
2006 Volvo XC90 2.5T 2.5L L5 Suspension Kit
2006 Volvo XC90 V8 4.4L V8 Suspension Kit
2006 Volvo XC90 V8 Ocean Race 4.4L V8 Suspension Kit
2007 Volvo XC90 V8 4.4L V8 Suspension Kit
2007 Volvo XC90 V8 Sport 4.4L V8 Suspension Kit
2007 Volvo XC90 3.2 3.2L L6 Suspension Kit
2008 Volvo XC90 3.2 3.2L L6 Suspension Kit
2008 Volvo XC90 V8 4.4L V8 Suspension Kit
2008 Volvo XC90 V8 Sport 4.4L V8 Suspension Kit
2009 Volvo XC90 3.2 3.2L L6 Suspension Kit
2009 Volvo XC90 V8 4.4L V8 Suspension Kit
2010 Volvo XC90 3.2 3.2L L6 Suspension Kit
2010 Volvo XC90 V8 4.4L V8 Suspension Kit
2011 Volvo XC90 3.2 3.2L L6 Suspension Kit
2011 Volvo XC90 V8 4.4L V8 Suspension Kit
2012 Volvo XC90 3.2 3.2L L6 Suspension Kit
2013 Volvo XC90 3.2 3.2L L6 Suspension Kit
2013 Volvo XC90 3.2 R-Design 3.2L L6 Suspension Kit
2014 Volvo XC90 3.2 3.2L L6 Suspension Kit
2014 Volvo XC90 3.2 R-Design 3.2L L6 Suspension Kit
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www.fcpeuro.com/page/lifetime...
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[@billcunningham8485]

Great video. Very helpful as my former XC-90 went through ball joints like they were frozen pizzas. Mike does a great job. Very calm, very Zen like.

[@davidpancerz5820]

Gotta say I'm digging Mike's scene too. Favorite expressions: My good people, satisfying click and beautiful.....

[@edc6524]

Be reminded the torques specs on the lower strut mount (the 2 bolts) is 78ftlb plus 60 - 90 degrees. Thanks for the video.

[@fcpeuro]

Thanks for the info!

[@El-sm9gr]

Also the two M12 bolts in the control arm are 65 Nm plus 105 degrees and the rear M14 bolt is 105 Nm plus 180 degrees. Don't have those in ft/lbs sorry but had to double check them in the repair manual.

[@El-sm9gr]

Great video however! Helped me out a lot trying to get the control arm back in with new bushings! Lots of cursing trying to get the washers aligned with new poly inserts.

[@gtmotor5670]

Using the 13 mm bolts to force the ball joint in can strip out the steel hub. Ask me how I know (getting the car flat bedded to a shop right now). If it's tight due to aftermarket tolerances being shitty then STOP and especially don't use a power tool like they show to do this. Better yet, use the right tools and don't try to take short cuts.

[@wrenchinwithgrandpa4586]

Always working on my Volvo Cx-90, your videos have been a great resource!👍

[@user-uv1lt5kz4d]

Amazing video, this is the sort of work I'd never have attempted before resources like this. I bought the full kit from FCP that included the sway bar end links, ball joints, and control arms. Frontend is totally sorted, I had a major pull to the right under braking before, the bushing on the right control arm was shredded. They'd never been done, and my 06 XC90 V8 has ~197k on it. I wasn't able to get the old control arms loose from the ball joints, so I just air hammered the ball joints off with the control arm still attached, which worked fine. I also used the air hammer to work the new ball joints on a bit at a time, in order to avoid doing all the work with the bolts... Someone else here commented that they stripped those out trying the method in the video... The air hammer worked fine, the bolts just ensured that it went in straight.

[@fcpeuro]

Nice work, Matt! Happy we were able to encourage you a bit to DIY that project, this is why we do what we do.

[@boomwroasted2547]

Parts just arrived from FCP- starting this exact job tomorrow! Excited for my ‘07 3.2 to drive like new again.

[@StuEvans]

Thanks for the Volvo content. Been missing it .

[@fcpeuro]

More to come!

[@seandodwell2301]

The best videos tahnk you great clear and concise!! Wehen will osme one do a front anti roll bar replacement on these beasts, nowhere on the internet!!!

[@MotownModels]

A video on replacing all the control arms on the rear of a W211 would be fantastic! There's not much reference out there and it could help the community.

[@fcpeuro]

WE happened to be shooting that video in the shop today 🙂

[@MotownModels]

@@fcpeuro oh great! Any idea when it'll be uploaded?

[@adamnancekivell445]

Hi Mike, your videos have been a great help for me and my v8 xc90. You've helped me through control arms and haldex pumps. My next job is a steeringvrack replacement. Any chance you have done one of these and just not posted it yet? Thanks Adam

[@djjmsimon]

I did the same, but pressed the control arm bushings.. seems much quicker with the built arms.

[@fcpeuro]

Nice note, Dave!

[@TeknoVkng]

Can you make a video installing the one step colder plugs in the Mercedes M278? The indexing looks like it could be finnicky.

[@Jezboyz]

Any reason why you don't apply any thread locker? Otherwise very helpful, thanks for sharing.

[@Byzantine-Chants]

Awesome video!Any volvo p3 content coming?

[@fcpeuro]

On queue, Abe!

[@neizanalgren7475]

best video of all I seen

[@bryangonzales3557]

on the passenger front of the volvo xc90, how do you remove the two bolts going into the front of the control arm? my son i think ran over a curb and the threads are stripped and one bolt is bent

[@F14CRAZY]

I just ordered a Lemforder ball joint and the CTA 4019 ball joint tool. When is the tool used?

[@irvings159]

When's the project Volvo 850 coming back to the channel??

[@fcpeuro]

Its out in the wild now, but season 2 will be airing in September this year! We are working hard on it in the background, and think everyone is going to love what we are doing with this season! Appreciate the patience Scott!

[@tylerocarz7153]

Is there any particular reason you chose delphi control arms?

[@fcpeuro]

They make up a part of our comprehensive kit that we recommend for the P2 XC90!

[@tylerocarz7153]

@@fcpeuro im trying to decide which control arms to get and i was wondering if any brand has a solid rubber front bushing? I was looking for something stiffer than stock.