9 replies to this topic

[rp850]

I know a lot of this has been discussed before but I thought I'd mention it because these tips really helped me replace my tailgate struts:

1. I bought the Scan-Tech struts from FCP and they seem to be very good quality and look exactly to me like the Volvo struts I took out. The old struts said Volvo on them as well as Stabilius.

2. Before installing the new strut, you have to remove a wire clip that as far as I can tell protects the little C clip inside the strut's socket from falling out. Here's a picture so you can see what I mean:



The strut in the top of the photo shows the wire clip removed. The bottom strut still has the clip installed.

3. I had to loosen the bracket that the strut pops into that's under the headliner. This will allow you enough room to pop the strut onto the car. It seems like the new strut is slightly longer so you need to move the bracket back a little to give you some extra space. (Thanks to KLS for this awesome tip!!!)

4. Be careful working around the headliner. The struts are greasy and I put my hands on the headliner which messed it up. Easy to do... I had to clean the headliner because I got grease all over it.

5. Now that the new struts are in, I think the whole tailgate is much more solid. If your tailgate rattles and you already installed the anti-rattle kit, try replacng the struts. My tailgate still stayed up under its own power but now it seems like the new struts push back on the tailgate when it's shut which makes the whole thing more solid.

Hope all this helps. None of this stuff was my idea but all of these tips really helped make the job way easier!

[beachnut]

I concur with everything you've said! These Scantech tailgate struts are great ... no more of that lame door not wanting to go up

[rp850]

Or falling on my head when it gets cold out...

The hatch closes really solid now and there's no play in it like there used to be...I should've done this long ago.



When I was replacing the struts last night the broomstick I had holding up the the hatch slipped off. The hatch fell on my back. Luckily I had a little warning but man is that thing heavy! This is one solid car!!!

I concur with everything you've said! These Scantech tailgate struts are great ... no more of that lame door not wanting to go up

[beachnut]

Haha, tell me about it! I just replaced the tailgate on my V70 since my previous one was damaged in the accident. I removed the gate by myself without too much issue but I had my dad help me put the new one on. They are pretty heavy. While I was in there and had the oem gate struts disconnected anyway I thought it would be a great time to replace them. It wasn't that there was really anything wrong with them, like not being able to hold the gate up or anything, but I hated the fact that you always had to "assist" the gate all the way up. After researching here on VS about replacement struts I read a lot of comments about how the Scantech struts were much stronger and would even knock you off your feet lol ! Well, I don't find them to be anything quite that bad ... instead, I really like the way they pop the gate up without assistance, very much like the ones in my wife's Mazda van do. Too bad Volvo didn't design an interior grab handle on these gates though.

[rp850]

Yeah a grab handle would've been nice. Hey I was so sorry to see the damage to the "firetruck". I've always liked your car because it's one of the cleanest, sharpest looking wagons I've seen. I really look forward to seeing it restored back to its old self again!!!

Haha, tell me about it! I just replaced the tailgate on my V70 since my previous one was damaged in the accident. I removed the gate by myself without too much issue but I had my dad help me put the new one on. They are pretty heavy. While I was in there and had the oem gate struts disconnected anyway I thought it would be a great time to replace them. It wasn't that there was really anything wrong with them, like not being able to hold the gate up or anything, but I hated the fact that you always had to "assist" the gate all the way up. After researching here on VS about replacement struts I read a lot of comments about how the Scantech struts were much stronger and would even knock you off your feet lol ! Well, I don't find them to be anything quite that bad ... instead, I really like the way they pop the gate up without assistance, very much like the ones in my wife's Mazda van do. Too bad Volvo didn't design an interior grab handle on these gates though.

[Big Will]

Good tips. And I agree that it's sad to see the red wagon in need of some work but looking forward to its repair.

[erikv11]

Those Scantech tailgate struts are indeed hi-pressure, I just replaced mine last week and the gate is bouncing up again.

But I'm replacing them for the second time in just over two years. This set would no longer hold the gate at all. They didn't "break" either - each strut was still beefy strong when tested off the car, but even together they were too weak to hold the gate up at all. They just wore out quickly.

So the OEM lasted 7 years, the scantech lasted 2.5 years. Buyer beware.

But I'm a sucker for a cheap part ($40/pair is fcp's ebay price) that is so trivial to replace (you don't even have to loosen those bolts on the bracket - I just propped the gate all the way up, and could pop the new struts on with a screwdriver; attach the gate side last), so the wagon is now on its second set of Scan-craps .

[rp850]

Wow, didn't know that. Good to know. You'd think the Scan-techs were made by NASA if you read the website description of them with their "patented temperature compensating module" or whatever they call it!

At least if they do go in a couple of years I can probably change 'em out in half the time.

Thanks for the heads up.

Those Scantech tailgate struts are indeed hi-pressure, I just replaced mine last week and the gate is bouncing up again.

But I'm replacing them for the second time in just over two years. This set would no longer hold the gate at all. They didn't "break" either - each strut was still beefy strong when tested off the car, but even together they were too weak to hold the gate up at all. They just wore out quickly.

So the OEM lasted 7 years, the scantech lasted 2.5 years. Buyer beware.

But I'm a sucker for a cheap part ($40/pair is fcp's ebay price) that is so trivial to replace (you don't even have to loosen those bolts on the bracket - I just propped the gate all the way up, and could pop the new struts on with a screwdriver; attach the gate side last), so the wagon is now on its second set of Scan-craps .

[Big Will]

Keep in mind that you can practically go through three sets of the scantech ones from FCP for the price of 1 set of Genuine Volvo ones so it's just do you want to front the cash or pay it in several smaller amounts.
by the way, my Volvo ones lasted about 5 years before they lost their edge to them but they were still holding up the tailgate when I replaced them after 8 years.

[rp850]

I never realized the Volvo ones were so much better. If I'd known that I probably would've went that route. I read all the old posts but I guess I didn't pick up on that. It's amazing because the scan-techs really look just like the OEM ones I pulled out.

Maybe with these mild Texas winters I'll get a little more time out of the scan-techs. I guess we'll see. But for right now I'm looking for excuses to open and shut the tailgate and hear that satisfying 'thud'. My wife thinks I've lost it...

Keep in mind that you can practically go through three sets of the scantech ones from FCP for the price of 1 set of Genuine Volvo ones so it's just do you want to front the cash or pay it in several smaller amounts.
by the way, my Volvo ones lasted about 5 years before they lost their edge to them but they were still holding up the tailgate when I replaced them after 8 years.