What all needs replacing? (Front strut issues)

[oolab1]

I would like to say first off that although this is my first post everything on this site has been very useful until now. In the interest of keeping this short, here's the issue:

This was brought to my attention today as potentially being a problem? (Sorry for not posting pictures. I can never seem to get them to work right on forums :/)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/t6lfhkjelmal9 ... 0.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ar39atatt0r85 ... 5.jpg?dl=0
I guess all that time driving the Fiero really got me used to harsh rides and loud squeaky rattling noise!

Anyways, I've spent a while looking around online, but I'm a poor college student who can't afford to spend any more than necessary, so I wanted to check with the experts before dropping a few hundred bucks as to what exactly I am going to need to replace? Also is there anything else that I should replace at the same time while it's all out (I was thinking *if* I need to replace the springs/struts I'll just go ahead and lower it with some Bilsteins while I'm at it)? Finally, would I/should I replace the equivalent components in the rear as well, and what are the risks if I decide that your rear suggestions are too expensive and are to be foolishly ignored (obviously if I lower the car I would do the rears as well)?

Thanks for all the help!

[oragex]

How many miles? It looks like the spring seat is dead and that's ASAP. The only option are Sachs (on sale https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... 0-s80-xc70). You may well get away with only this part, and put the remaining back together if on very tight budget. Be warned, do not put anything else but the mentioned brand. The strut bearing and the strut itself may also be quite worn, but these can still go for a while without suddenly breaking.

[oolab1]

I just hit 150k. Yeah in doing some other research I saw that it might be the spring seat, and saw that I should maybe try to go with a stronger one, like the HDs or XC90s https://www.ipdusa.com/products/4712/11 ... pring-seat? I'll get the ones you suggest if that's really the best option. If I can get new seats to last until about January I should get scholarship stuff in and be able to swing new struts and springs as well a little more comfortably. Unfortunately the struts and springs and bearings are all probably pretty worn since it had been riding like that without me noticing for a while, and I may or may not have been pushing it pretty hard recently around corners...... To be honest with you I'm surprised it isnt already through the hood XD

[flukey]

It would be foolish to not replace the strut bearings as well as the spring seats.Less than $100 more for doing both.When you take it apart you will see what I mean.On a tight budget,the strut itself could wait a while if not completely shot.

[JRL]

Spring seat ASAP
Buy OEM Volvo XC90 (they're all XC90 now)
Any day now that's going to completely break and go thru your hood!

[oolab1]

Yeah I think if I don't get the struts and springs right now I would just get everything else since it all would cost less than the actual struts and springs put together. I should probably get new bump stops too since I would assume they've been working overtime lately? Sorry for all the questions just making sure I get what all I need to do it right(ish) the first time and thanks for all the help!

[neworleans]

I would suggest looking for the whole assembly on amazon or ebay that comes with spring and mount. Very easy to replace, there are videos available, each runs around 100 bucks, if you bring them to any shop they shouldn't charge more than 100 bucks to put them on if you can't do it. I would not drive the car like this until they are replaced because if you do, they may damage your hood and cause more cost.

[JRL]

Careful with the pre assembled ones, unfortunately they use SUBstandard spring seats AND bearing plates

[vtl]

Ouch, that looks dangerous! Don't get killed while replacing the mounts! Don't stay in line with the struts.