Changing spring seats

drgswede1978 · Post by **drgswede1978** » 28 Aug 2013, 10:59

I'm going to change my spring seats on the front this weekend. I've found a guide but it's pretty vague. Just wondered if anyone had any hints or tips to make it an easier job.
Thanks

Post by **JRL** » 28 Aug 2013, 13:11

It's the same as changing a strut

Post by **erikv11** » 28 Aug 2013, 13:57

Here is an excellent guide:

http://members.shaw.ca/heeeeee/strut/

Be sure to buy OEM Volvo brand spring seats, most of the aftermarket ones fail quickly.

Post by **precopster** » 29 Aug 2013, 07:28

A hint is to always have the spring compressors taking the force of the spring until the bearing plate or strut mount as it's known is fixed and torqued back on.

If the spring's force pushes upward on just the spring seat alone with its star nut the new spring seat may tear slightly which greatly lowers its life.

drgswede1978 · Post by **drgswede1978** » 29 Aug 2013, 10:14

Thanks for the replies. It doesn't look too difficult. Will I need a wheel alignment after changing just the spring seats?

Post by **matthew1** » 29 Aug 2013, 10:22

drgswede1978 · Post by **drgswede1978** » 29 Aug 2013, 11:02

Ok. Thanks.

Warren561 · Post by **Warren561** » 29 Aug 2013, 11:34

drgswede1978 wrote:Thanks for the replies. It doesn't look too difficult. Will I need a wheel alignment after changing just the spring seats?

matthew1 wrote:No.

Really? Changing spring seats basically involves removal/installation of the entire strut assembly.
Doesn't this affect the camber & caster at all?

Post by **erikv11** » 29 Aug 2013, 12:21

drgswede1978 wrote:Thanks for the replies. It doesn't look too difficult. Will I need a wheel alignment after changing just the spring seats?

Yes.

What Warren said.

For that reason, consider replacing now, while you have the strut tower out, anything else on it in need of work.

Post by **jblackburn** » 29 Aug 2013, 12:54

You should do an alignment.

I didn't after replacing a spring seat and this happened to my right tire.