t8fanning Posted April 6, 2013 Report Share Posted April 6, 2013 I'm getting a creak in the front while turning or over bumps. I checked all my sway bar nuts, and everything is tight. I turned the top nut, and there was significant movement, and when released it went back to where it was. This makes me think it's the spring seats. Any input? How hard is it to replace them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burnout8488 Posted April 7, 2013 Report Share Posted April 7, 2013 Might also be the strut bearing ("strut mount" on the parts websites) since that is what controls the movement of the spring seat. When they bind up, the spring binds up which can cause a creaking sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t8fanning Posted April 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2013 Any way to isolate and diagnose without disassembling everything? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRL Posted April 7, 2013 Report Share Posted April 7, 2013 How much movement? (in inches) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burnout8488 Posted April 7, 2013 Report Share Posted April 7, 2013 When you turn the top nut, I'm pretty sure it's normal for it to turn, since you're pretty much just working against the spring. When you take the top nut off, you'll see the rubber seat below it with the cross-nut still on. Bounce it around and check for any tearing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t8fanning Posted April 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2013 How much movement? (in inches) I can turn the top nut 90°, but it turns right back to where it was. When you turn the top nut, I'm pretty sure it's normal for it to turn, since you're pretty much just working against the spring. When you take the top nut off, you'll see the rubber seat below it with the cross-nut still on. Bounce it around and check for any tearing. How do you take the top nut off? Do you have to compress the spring, or do you just unscrew it? I have no experience servicing struts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burnout8488 Posted April 8, 2013 Report Share Posted April 8, 2013 I use a 21mm socket on an electric impact wrench. It's the only way I've found to do it without twisting the hell out of the spring using a breaker bar. With the impact, it zips right off. If you have to do it manually, it might be a bit of a bear. Once you have the top nut off, remove the washer, then you'll see the cross nut. Don't remove this until you have the strut off the car. You'll either need a good pair of vise grips, or the special Volvo Strut Nut tool. FCP and IPD both sell aftermarket versions of this tool I believe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t8fanning Posted April 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2013 Thanks. I'll look into it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRL Posted April 8, 2013 Report Share Posted April 8, 2013 90 degrees is too much It should not move much more than 1/2" or so This means it's partially torn, pretty soon yiou will be able to spin it around which is totally busted Replace them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t8fanning Posted April 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2013 Will do. How pressing of an issue is it? Will it just creak for a while or will it cause a dangerous problem? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRL Posted April 9, 2013 Report Share Posted April 9, 2013 Gets worse and worse until the top of the strut pops through!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t8fanning Posted April 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2013 Don't want that! Thanks for the help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
survolvo Posted April 9, 2013 Report Share Posted April 9, 2013 Gets worse and worse until the top of the strut pops through!!! Don't want that! Thanks for the help. There was someone that this happen too recently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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