8 replies to this topic

[Kashif]

Hey guys do you ever replace your strut mounts made of steel? My car has over 153000 miles and I think the Struts have never been replaced. I am going to replace my rubber spring seats but I was wondering if you guys ever have to replace your steel strut mounts also called Front Strut Mount Assembley?

These things

Edited by Kashif, 18 February 2005 - 03:10 AM.

[bobgrice]

I just rebuilt my front and rear suspension ('96 855 R). New control arms, tie rod ends, struts (Bilsteins), ipd sways, end links and spring seats. After taking a look at the strut mounts, I decided not to replace them (my car has 100k on the odo). They still turned smoothly and didn't appear to have much slop or play, so I couldn't justify the cost.

If your mounts bind when trying to turn them or if they feel really sloppy, I would definitely replace them.

Just my $0.02

[Patrick.]

I just rebuilt my front and rear suspension ('96 855 R).  New control arms, tie rod ends, struts (Bilsteins), ipd sways, end links and spring seats.  After taking a look at the strut mounts, I decided not to replace them (my car has 100k on the odo).  They still turned smoothly and didn't appear to have much slop or play, so I couldn't justify the cost.

If your mounts bind when trying to turn them or if they feel really sloppy, I would definitely replace them.

Just my $0.02

sorry to hijack, you can respond in a PM if you'd like, but how much of an improvement did you notice after you did an entire suspension tune-up like that? And in how bad of shape were the components that you replaced?

[bobgrice]

Well, I'll know better this weekend regarding complete improvement.

I have an R, so it had Nivomats on the rear. I purchased new OEM wagon springs and shock mounts for the rear and discovered that you need another part when doing this conversion: The spring hold-down plate is a different size. The parts just came in yesterday and I will install them later this afternoon to get a good picture of the improvement. I wish it was better documented that this part was required!

However, before I tackled the rear, I did all the front work and then took it for a drive. Wow, what a difference! One of the main reasons I tackled this job was all the nice clacks and clunks coming from the front end. Of course, the car is dead quiet now, which was worth the cost in my opinion. Not to mention how much better the car feels as a whole. It is firmer, but more controlled and very smooth.

I also found that my rear sway bar was actually sheared! On the driver's side mount, the section with the bolts that fits inside the swing arm was totally sheared off, rendering the rear sway bar about 5% effective.

So...I expect a remarkable difference when I get it up and running this evening. I was wondering why my wifes 97 850 GLT felt like it handled better than my R.

Also, I should note that the struts up front were VERY shot. If you took the shaft and compressed or extended it, it was grabby and inconsistent and very easy to tell that they were worn past their adequate point.

The control arms looked OK, but I decided while I was in there to change them. One of the tie rod ends' boot had exploded, so it was on it's way out definitely. One of the sway bar end links looked to have been replaced and probably could have been reused, but the other was totally worn out.

I won't get the car aligned until Saturday or Monday, so I won't know exactly how well everything works together until then.


Hope this answers your question.

[orange850t]

I replaced everything (strut, spring, mount, hardware, etc..), I actually assembled it all and just jacked up the car removed the mount bolts on top and the knuckle bolts and replaced with the new assembly.

[Andreas 854 R]

I replaced everything (strut, spring, mount, hardware, etc..), I actually assembled it all and just jacked up the car removed the mount bolts on top and the knuckle bolts and replaced with the new assembly.

I am wondering if you or bobgrice could tell me if you noticed a slightly higher front setup with all new shocks and springs after replacing?

My suspension was completely replaced back in December at an official Volvo dealer and I am not that happy with how the car now looks. I get the impression that they installed the standard, non-lowered springs, or may be I am suffering from imagination because my old suspension had already 103K on the clock, thus being shot completely. I submitted to them all relevant VIN and car information from the ID plate so that they could order the relevant parts and they did know that this was an R and not a standard 850...

If you don't mind, could you measure the distance from top of tire to bottom of mudguard? I am currently running my 16" winter tires, so of course there is some more room but I really think it is too much and not lowered anymore.

Nevertheless, the ride with the all new suspension is a whole different world, I was amazed how silent this car can glide on the road...

Thanks!

[orange850t]

I would but I am running H&R springs now so it won't mean much.........

new springs will look hella high for about the first year or so!

[Kashif]

If your mounts bind when trying to turn them or if they feel really sloppy, I would definitely replace them.

When you talk about turning them do mean the black part in the center? Does the center part rotate? I have never seen them myself.
Thanks

[bobgrice]

Responding to question regarding ride height after replacement of front suspension.

I have not measured, but both my friend and I think that the car appears a bit higher now. Not much, perhaps 1/2" or so, but it is noticable. It really doesn't bother me too much, so I think I can live with it - especially considering the handling improvement.

Now I just need to change my front motor mount to get rid of the blasted clunk up front...can't be a suspension component - has to be the mount. If anyone has any other ideas, please let me know. Every piece on the front suspension that moves has been replaced.