USE OEM ONLY for these:

[oragex]

Maybe I missed it, but still not sure if Sachs spring seats (for 850) are OEM. Comments?

Jim,

Couple things: terminology and brand name.

Terminology: "Seat", "Bushing" etc. etc. terms can be confusing.
The bottom line is no matter what name people call them, there are 2 components:
a. The "Bearing" part (this allows the front wheels to turn R and L on the strut bearing). Use INA, Sachs, or Volvo OEM.
b. The "Cushion" part: basically a steel plate coated with rubber. Use BOGE or Volvo OEM.

StrutMount.JPG

These are critical parts (the spring seat and the strut mount), the entire weight of the car is sitting on these two components - well, 30% of the weight for each seat/mount assembly. Moreover, the spring seat gives the car the typical 'smooth' drive feeling, while the strut mount gives the steering the right feeling. Anything but the brands mentioned bu cn90 will greatly affect these 'feelings' AND won't last, typically past one year or even less. I also just thrown to garbage Febi Bilstein spring seats with only 10K miles on them, stamped made in Germany. The rubber started to split below the center sleeve, one wouldn't even notice this unless the seat is removed from the strut.

I would even say, go rather with the Volvo S60/V70 spring seats instead of those for the XC90. Reason is, the XC90 being a heavier car, the rubber is harder so on a S60/V70 the ride won't be as smooth as with the original spring seat. Besides, the original spring seats last a good 100K miles.

[erikv11]

... I would even say, go rather with the Volvo S60/V70 spring seats instead of those for the XC90. Reason is, the XC90 being a heavier car, the rubber is harder so on a S60/V70 the ride won't be as smooth as with the original spring seat. ....

FYI, for at least four years now, the Volvo XC90 spring seat and the Volvo S/V70 spring seat are the same thing: Volvo part number 30683637. There is no difference between them in the rubber hardness or thickness or anything else, they are the same.

[johno504]

as a former Robert Bosch factory rep I won a national sales contest for most plugs sold in a year. I only use NGK plugs in my Volvo and Saabs.

[jeffsws]

Anyone know the OEM for 8111304 (Drive shaft left) ?

[tjmotter]

Don't forget ANY stretch bolts. Harmonic Balancer bolt, Suspension bolts (like the lower strut bolts) and head bolts are all designed to stretch when installed to the correct torque. Not only should you not reuse these bolts, you should not try to save a single penny when replacing them. Once they have been stretched, you cannot reliably re-torque them. Genuine Volvo is the only way to go (IMHO) since they are the only ones who truly understand the forces that these bolts will be subjected to (and they are responsible for the metallurgy on them) they are the best possible solution.

My only caveat to this is ARP. ARP builds incredible bolts that can be reused in any of these applications but their selection for Volvo is pretty thin.

[wizechatmgr]

And yet another out of the norm breakage of a Swedish Car Parts heater core in my 2000 V70 after only around 60,000kms and only 2.5 years, .

The base of the heater core cracked just like a cheap aftermarket unit.

Here's a Genuine Volvo core to compare:

20160529_115819.jpg20160529_115116.jpg20160529_115128.jpg

I had the same experience precopster had. Was 1-2 years and it started dripping from where the pipes met the endcap within the heater core. If one doesn't mind replacing them - run them in the dishwasher before installation. I think they spray anti-corrosive on them after manufacturing and this is the stench people smell.

[Georgeandkira]

1) The Genuine Made in France Volvo 3-prong spark plug for the non-turbocharged engines is what I go with. Nowhere has anyone ever mentioned the construction of a sparky-poo. I conclude that nobody knows what any difference could be.

2) Once I read that OE light bulbs are "European Spec" and therefore better.

[erikv11]

How to get the right bulb: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=61483