2001 Volvo S80 Strut Mount Replacement

Dan T · Post by **Dan T** » 17 Aug 2014, 15:15

I'm sure this is a fairly simple job. I have a broken driver front strut mount and I wanted to know the procedure for removal and replacement. Also what's a good quality strut mount that is fairly inexpensive?

Thanks all,
Dan T.

johnboneske · Post by **johnboneske** » 17 Aug 2014, 20:26

The rubber mounts:

http://smile.amazon.com/dp/B000EQCV4I/r ... 5IWJ2WTP85

The mounts to the strut towers:
http://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0066T4V9K/r ... J70ZGSFHEU

I would do both. I did it to my daughters 850 and was a major improvement! I am getting ready to do my S80. A good quality coil spring compressor is needed!

Post by **kahl** » 17 Aug 2014, 20:38

hi Dan, Search the repair data base for strut removal. It is a pretty straight foreword job. If you feel uncomfortable compressing the springs find a Indy shop that will do the job. you may also post in the help needed forum and look for someone in your area that can take you through this job.

Post by **jkdjim** » 18 Aug 2014, 11:55

you can rent the spring compressors from AutoZone or some other parts store. At mine, I needed a ~$50 deposit, but they refund it when you're done. No net cost to you.

lonestar245 · Post by **lonestar245** » 20 Aug 2014, 17:16

I tried a couple of aftermarket spring seats (strut bushings), and neither lasted 10k miles. I ended up buying the OEM Volvo bushings from one of the online dealers, and after 30k, still no issues.
IPD makes a heavy duty bushing that a friend used and said it was great. It cost slightly less then the OEM, and based on my friends reports, I would use it if I had to do it again.

As for the strut mounts (bearings), again, you get what you pay for. In my case, I purchased some lifetime guaranteed bearings from O'Riley's and one of them was basically seized when I took it out of the box. I went through 4 total before I had a set that was "good". Looking back, my time to R&R all these bad parts was simply not worth the savings.

As for struts- I used Monroe OE Spectrum and they have been fine. They might not be as firm as Bilstein, but I think they ride equally as well as the Sachs (OEM). I don't plan on racing my aged S80, so having a bit smoother ride is actually a plus to me, and I figure it is easier on all the other parts (above) than a firm strut would be. Seems like those other parts were not really up to the task in the first place since they only last about 100k miles. Oh, and the Monroe struts were purchased locally and have a lifetime warranty.

One last thing- and nobody wants to hear this- but I find that most all the front suspension parts wore out between 99k and 110k. If I had it to do over again, I would have replaced it all the first time I had it apart. And that is a long list: control arms, struts, spring seats, strut mounts, sway bar links, drive shafts (due to failing CV joint boots), brake rotors and pads, right engine mount, upper torque mount... And I should mention a couple of the online Volvo parts stores do sell suspension kits of varying quality for discounted prices.

Post by **jkdjim** » 20 Aug 2014, 18:07

This video is pretty much the same for the 850. I do recommend the strut nut tool the ipd or FCP sells.

Cees Klumper · Post by **Cees Klumper** » 04 Jun 2016, 22:50

Reviving this thread because my relatively new but non-OEM strut mounts wore out after maybe 10K miles, so yesterday I replaced them with heavy duty ones from Skandix. I installed HD Bilstein struts that provide for a very nice (albeit firm) ride, but as the previous poster warns, they are harder on the spring seats. Another thing is that the Bilsteins instructions say to leave out the rubber bumper stop that is normally there on top of the strut, so I did, but yesterday I did put back the top large metal discs/washer that sits on top of the bumper stop and below/against the bottom of the spring seat. Figure they are needed to help spread the pressure on sudden upward wheel movement so it doesn't all impact on the spring seat bushings, if that makes sense. Hopefully these HD seats will last a couple of years because although it's not a difficult job to do, I'd like to not have to do it every year!

jbkeene · Post by **jbkeene** » 06 Jun 2016, 09:09

I upgraded to the XC90 seats for my 2000 S80...had one break in the past
they are heavier-duty than the S80 spec part

ThommyKent · Post by **ThommyKent** » 22 Jun 2016, 23:37

lonestar245 wrote:I tried a couple of aftermarket spring seats (strut bushings), and neither lasted 10k miles. I ended up buying the OEM Volvo bushings from one of the online dealers, and after 30k, still no issues.
IPD makes a heavy duty bushing that a friend used and said it was great. It cost slightly less then the OEM, and based on my friends reports, I would use it if I had to do it again.

As for the strut mounts (bearings), again, you get what you pay for. In my case, I purchased some lifetime guaranteed bearings from O'Riley's and one of them was basically seized when I took it out of the box. I went through 4 total before I had a set that was "good". Looking back, my time to R&R all these bad parts was simply not worth the savings.

That`s why lifetime is a joke. They sell cheap shit with a lifetime warranty and still make money if it`s returned for another. But they surely don`t pay for your time or sweat to replace it again, again and again. FCP`s lifetime parts are crap.

Post by **tryingbe** » 23 Jun 2016, 13:58

I went with coilover and camber plate for my 850 so I don't have to change that stupid spring seat ever again.

I change it out twice, one with Raybestos and once with IPD HD, Raybestos lasted a few months while the IPD HD have cracks in them after 3 years and 10k.