SWM Posted October 1, 2008 Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 my shop said i needed new strut mounts, Is this a fairly easy DIY task? should i also do the struts at the same time? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cal3thousand Posted October 1, 2008 Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 my shop said i needed new strut mounts, Is this a fairly easy DIY task? should i also do the struts at the same time?You can do mounts without doing the struts because it doesn't require removing the spring from the strut. Can totally be done at home if you have a jack and stands and some hand tools. But if your car has old dampers, you might want to replace anyway.You'll have a more controlled ride and be safer at the same time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlvinL Posted October 2, 2008 Report Share Posted October 2, 2008 my shop said i needed new strut mounts, Is this a fairly easy DIY task? should i also do the struts at the same time?SWM, I split your post off to a new topic. You'll get better results instead of hijacking someone else's topic.Anyway, it's easy doing your own struts or changing out the mounts, if you have a spring compressor. As for changing out the struts, that's your call. If there are no leaks and it still does a good job of damping, why bother?If don't want to DIY, then maybe you should replace the struts at the same time. Should only cost you extra for the struts. And don't pay extra for labour!EDIT: My bad! I'm thinking bushing when you said mount. In that case, cal3thousand is right. It begs the question, are you sure the bushing is still good? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlvinL Posted October 2, 2008 Report Share Posted October 2, 2008 SWM, I split your post off to a new topic. You'll get better results instead of hijacking someone else's topic.Anyway, it's easy doing your own struts or changing out the mounts, if you have a spring compressor. As for changing out the struts, that's your call. If there are no leaks and it still does a good job of damping, why bother?If don't want to DIY, then maybe you should replace the struts at the same time. Should only cost you extra for the struts. And don't pay extra for labour!EDIT: My bad! I'm thinking bushing when you said mount. In that case, cal3thousand is right. It begs the question, are you sure the bushing is still good?I must eat my words! It's not a good idea to remove the cap holding down the stut mount without a safety backup of a spring compressor. If the old bushing fails while that cap is off, the spring could blow that bushing off and take off someone's face! That cap is an important piece of hardware! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozark Lee Posted October 2, 2008 Report Share Posted October 2, 2008 Like was said, the strut mounts/bearings are a snap and you don't even need a spring compressor. Simply remove the nut on the top of the upside down castle nut and the three nuts that hole the mount onto the strut tower. The suspension will need to drop but I think you can get it out without removing anything on the control arm.Buy OEM on the mounts! I just put a new set of Bilstein TC struts on my Platinum last week and man what a difference. A decent ride and great handling.To replace the struts you do need a spring compressor. I "rented" a spring compressor set from O'Reilly Auto Parts and it worked just fine. They loan out / rent tools by charging you for it and then crediting you back 100% once it is returned.If you are considering changing the struts I would also change the spring seats while you are at it. I've been buying OEM XC90 spring seats for my 850s and they work perfectly. The have a lot more meat around the bushing and I think they will last longer. I got burned since I didn't order the upper bump stop or the bellows. My passenger's side was completely destroyed and my stealership stocks nothing for 850s. I wound up with an inferior NAPA product but at least I have a bellows over the strut to keep the crap out....Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozark Lee Posted October 2, 2008 Report Share Posted October 2, 2008 I must eat my words! It's not a good idea to remove the cap holding down the stut mount without a safety backup of a spring compressor. If the old bushing fails while that cap is off, the spring could blow that bushing off and take off someone's face!Good thought, I had a busted bushing in the spring seat but I guess that is why they put that stupid cross shaped nut on it - to keep it from blowing by the spring seat altogether. I know I couldn't even begin to the cross shaped nut off without the spring compressor but it held just fine on the spring seat itself in my case. I like your advice though - error on the side of caution....Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWM Posted October 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2008 sorry for the hijack, i thought it was on topic so it was good to go. Thanks for the feedback, my mechanic told me i needed front mounts only, but suggested with 180K on the clock, struts might be a good idea while he is at it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWM Posted October 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2008 shop quote....mounts only 504mounts and struts 894sound fair for parts and labor? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlvinL Posted October 2, 2008 Report Share Posted October 2, 2008 How much an hour do they charge for labor and how much are the parts, i.e. is that 4 hours ($100/hr) labour (2 hrs/side) and about $100 for mounts? Perhaps there alignment charge included?I think fair depends on where you live. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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