mikie Posted May 31, 2004 Report Share Posted May 31, 2004 Hello to all!I just recieved my bilstein HD's, and I have the EST lowering springs. I will be getting new shock and strut mounts and retaining pins...Is there anything else that I may need or look at before intalling?? Volvo told me that I may need to replace my "bushing" something like that, I think they are talking about the one above the towers...(visible form the engine bay)....$160Cnd ea.Also my springs are red and the bilsteins are yellow and blue. The colours kind of clash...would it be worth painting the springs say yellow/blue or black....or would this be just a waist of time?ThanksMikie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mesoam Posted May 31, 2004 Report Share Posted May 31, 2004 well you never see the springs any way so i wouldn't worry about it. I think what volvo was talking about where new strut mounts but you said those are on the way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikie Posted May 31, 2004 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2004 Thanks Mesoam for your reply!I was speaking with volvo and was asking if they had the shock and strut mounts, then the guy said you may need new "something else..."(I forgot what he said...stupid me). But he said they were $160 each only for the front...Any ideas???Thanks,Mikie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenhoeve Posted June 1, 2004 Report Share Posted June 1, 2004 Thanks Mesoam for your reply!I was speaking with volvo and was asking if they had the shock and strut mounts, then the guy said you may need new "something else..."(I forgot what he said...stupid me). But he said they were $160 each only for the front...Any ideas???Thanks,Mikiestrut towers i believe. comes with the bushing and mounting plate together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted June 1, 2004 Report Share Posted June 1, 2004 thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloudboy99 Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 When I did mine (Bilstein HD, IPD springs) I replaced the strut tower bushings while I was at it. If they start failing you'll hear a rather annoying squeaking and you might as well replace them while you have the assembly out. When I did David's coil-overs he didn't replace the bushings and they failed within 100 miles. Nothing like stiff springs and struts to cause a weakened bushing to fail. If you're going to DIY, here's a few tips:1. WARNING: Struts and the springs are under a high load and will cause serious injury if not properly compressed (via a strut spring compressor, the external kind). This also means follow your Haynes/Chilton's guide very closely and DO NOT remove the nut on the top of the bushing till the whole assembly is removed and pointing away from people.2. You'll want to buy yourself a set of metric box end wrenches. They are so much better than improvising a solution for attaching the strut/shock towers to the bushings.3. Have a paint can or bungee cord near by to hang your soon-to-be detached calipers4. Have long wrenches or a pipe handy for leverage. Those two control arm/strut bolts are on tight.Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikie Posted June 3, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2004 Thanks for the write up cloudbouy99, I considered doing it by myself, but I think I will chicken out!I will be getting new strut and shock mounts tomorow...but volvo mentioned something else that sometimes needs to be replace for the front only that comes to $160Cnd for both. On FCP Groton there is a Front Strut Mount for $75 (could this be what volvo is talking about?) because then they have a Front Strut Spring Seat for $23 (which I believe is the mounts the ipd sells). Sorry I'm just comfused a little bit!I guess I will ask volvo again and get the name for the part instead of making you guys trying to guess, sorry about this.And is prices on IPD for the front upper spring seat, $32 each or for the set? Same question for the rears?Sorry for all the questions,Mikie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Figawi Posted June 3, 2004 Report Share Posted June 3, 2004 are the strut mount bushings more likely to fail before the strut mounts? my car has been making a lot of creaking noise up front. i replaced the sway bar and sway bar links and the noise still continues. i want to fix the problem but don't know if it's the bushings or the mounts. anyway to tell without taking the car apart?EDIT: **nevermind i bought both the seats and the mounts** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikie Posted June 3, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2004 EDIT: **nevermind i bought both the seats and the mounts**OKAY so there is 4 springs seats around $35 each (which are often called strut and shock mounts by IPD), correct?AND then there is 2 strut mounts $75 each (seen on the FCP Groton's web site, right?Mikie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freeskier8585 Posted June 3, 2004 Report Share Posted June 3, 2004 3. Have a paint can or bungee cord near by to hang your soon-to-be detached caliperswhat... why would you have your calipers off..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest_dalam Posted June 3, 2004 Report Share Posted June 3, 2004 You will need the following items:a. Strut mounts (x2) Part number: 3546189b. Spring Seats (x2) 8646713c. Strut to steering knuckle nuts (x4) 948645 " " bolts (x4) 965194d. Supension strut upper mounting nuts (6) 971099e. Top of strut nuts (x2) ?I would recommend using all these new items for a safe and rattle free installation.Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikie Posted June 3, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2004 You will need the following items:a. Strut mounts (x2) Part number: 3546189b. Spring Seats (x2) 8646713c. Strut to steering knuckle nuts (x4) 948645 " " bolts (x4) 965194d. Supension strut upper mounting nuts (6) 971099e. Top of strut nuts (x2) ?I would recommend using all these new items for a safe and rattle free installation.RegardsPerfect! Thank you so much!Mikie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slarti Posted June 3, 2004 Report Share Posted June 3, 2004 Are the aftermarket strut mounts ok to use or is it worth the extra money for the volvo parts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geevs Posted June 4, 2004 Report Share Posted June 4, 2004 In response to the post itemizing the parts needed, is it really necessary to replace the nuts and bolts? Can these be bought at the hardware store rather than Volvo?Thanks,Geevs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PyROTech Posted June 4, 2004 Report Share Posted June 4, 2004 always go with the good stuff first time around. And the bushings are something you should upgrade if you have the chance b/c they seem to wear really quick, atleast that was the case for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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