1998 V70 AWD front strut replacement

[erikv11]

If some of you go with this strut setup, please post up later about your impressions (handling, comfort) and eventually about longevity, will be great to have more data points, and to know anything at all about how they are in an AWD p80.

[Jono51]

Strut bearings are pricey, I know how you feel. You can leave them in if you are not too averse to doing the repair job later, if needed. I no longer replace them preventively, because they are expensive and so easy to swap out. You don't need to disassemble the strut tower, just take off the top nut, take out the strut, swap the bearing/mount, reinstall. The disadvantage is the front wheels should be aligned anytime the struts come out (if you are really careful you can get the strut back in the same way, and just *checking* the alignment, which is free, rather than having it adjusted, will suffice). If the strut mount fails later on the bearing will get creaky, you will hear it.

I stay away from the cheapie strut mounts. OEM is made by INA, for the record, but Sachs/Boge is probably decent quality.

I would strongly recommend replacing the strut mounts. The previous owner of our V70XC had fitted new strut inserts without doing the mounts - this meant that I had to do them when one failed. IPD do an uprated strut mount, which may be worth considering if you are keeping the car.

I also replaced one of the bearings which was obviously worn, but left the other which seemed fine and is still OK about 6,000 miles later. I suspect that the driver's side of the front end has a harder life than the other. I have noticed on all my cars that bearings, joints etc tend to go earlier on that side.

[MoVolvos]

Thank you all for your responses. To BKM98 S70 T5 or anyone else, have you personally used these pre assembled strut assembly's? They seem like a good deal, but I'm wondering about the quality of the bearings and spring seats included, if it's really worth it to buy these or not. I'll do some research...

Yes, they've been on the car for over 2 years. Still holding up very well and my test is riding over speed bumps very swiftly. Tires have even wear and no noises from the suspension. Tire size is 195/65/15 at 37 to 40 PSI Costco Nitrogen.

Depending on which way I take to the Freeway there is an 8 mile stretch of bumpy, curvy and dippy back roads to get there. This is where and when I also determine what kind of shape the suspension is in. I installed Gabriel's on all 4 corners. In retrospect for the price I would go for something more stiff (Bilstein's) for the rear shocks.

Blessings,

BKM
_

[erikv11]

Strut bearings are pricey, I know how you feel. You can leave them in if you are not too averse to doing the repair job later, if needed. I no longer replace them preventively, because they are expensive and so easy to swap out. You don't need to disassemble the strut tower, just take off the top nut, take out the strut, swap the bearing/mount, reinstall. The disadvantage is the front wheels should be aligned anytime the struts come out (if you are really careful you can get the strut back in the same way, and just *checking* the alignment, which is free, rather than having it adjusted, will suffice). If the strut mount fails later on the bearing will get creaky, you will hear it.

I stay away from the cheapie strut mounts. OEM is made by INA, for the record, but Sachs/Boge is probably decent quality.

I would strongly recommend replacing the strut mounts. The previous owner of our V70XC had fitted new strut inserts without doing the mounts - this meant that I had to do them when one failed. IPD do an uprated strut mount, which may be worth considering if you are keeping the car.

I also replaced one of the bearings which was obviously worn, but left the other which seemed fine and is still OK about 6,000 miles later. I suspect that the driver's side of the front end has a harder life than the other. I have noticed on all my cars that bearings, joints etc tend to go earlier on that side.

I wonder if you are calling the spring seat a "strut mount" here, if there is some confusion of terminology. E.g. IPD sells a heavy duty spring seat, but no special strut mounts.

Spring seat = rubber bushing (with metal plate buried inside), sits against the coil spring.
Strut mount = metal bearing plate, sits atop the whole assembly.

[matthew1]

[Jono51]

Sorry, you're right, I meant the spring seat

[matthew1]

Common mistake, so common I created that image