Front Suspension Volvo 850 Estate

Australopithecus · Post by **Australopithecus** » 20 Mar 2018, 05:34

My 22 year old Volvo 850 Estate (1996) still serves me well, so for the time being I hope to keep her running. I faithfully have her serviced every 12 months despite the fact that over this time I seldom do more than 8 000 kms (5000 miles). She presently has
138 000 miles on the clock.

Right now I need to have the front suspension serviced. The near-side upper mount for the strut is starting to squeak badly so I'll get this done (the driver's side was done 12 years ago - all silent so far). New Monroe shocks were fitted 13 years ago.

Should I have the Monroes replaced ? We all know that the suspension of the 850's is pretty "firm", but I have a suspicion that it is time to replace.

I'd be interested to read comments by owners.

With thanks

Dave Reynell
Knysna
Western Cape
South Africa

Post by **oragex** » 20 Mar 2018, 05:50

Well firstly a long distance Welcome. Usually when the spring seat goes bad it won't 'squeak' but rather knock. So it might be something else in there. But still it's safe to have both sides replaced but only with Sachs - see those sites Fcp euro, Ipd, Eeuro parts, if they ship to your place for not much. The shocks is also a good idea if they feel too stiff, try replacing with the same part number if available.

ToriWhite · Post by **ToriWhite** » 20 Mar 2018, 17:12

Just replaced the front suspension this weekend!

Don't forget to buy new bump-stops, they're not critical components, so no one mentions them- but its worth replacing while you're down there!

Don't buy the quik-strut set on FCP.. it's composed of some cruddy parts, better to buy all the parts separate and rebuild it yourself, and not even that much of a headache if you use your spring compressors safely!

Post by **ZionXIX** » 20 Mar 2018, 18:15

ToriWhite wrote: ↑20 Mar 2018, 17:12
Don't buy the quik-strut set on FCP.. it's composed of some cruddy parts, better to buy all the parts separate and rebuild it yourself, and not even that much of a headache if you use your spring compressors safely!

Could you elaborate on which parts are cruddy in the kits?

ToriWhite · Post by **ToriWhite** » 20 Mar 2018, 18:39

I'm looking now, between today and 3 weeks ago, they must've taken it down! They were called 'Quick-strut' assemblies, where you'd buy the whole thing pre-assembled, spring pre-compressed onto the strut and everything. The strut was sachs, but they included some cheapo spring seats / bearings in the kit, and still tagged it OE/OEM..

IF you buy a kit, read through and make sure all the parts are the ones you want, In my opinion the kits are only useful as a mini shopping list to guide you to pick and choose your own parts individually, in my experience they like to sneak non-OE/OEM parts in there whenever they can (Gotta get rid of them somehow if no one's buying em!

)

Post by **ZionXIX** » 20 Mar 2018, 18:49

ToriWhite wrote: ↑20 Mar 2018, 18:39 I'm looking now, between today and 3 weeks ago, they must've taken it down! They were called 'Quick-strut' assemblies, where you'd buy the whole thing pre-assembled, spring pre-compressed onto the strut and everything. The strut was sachs, but they included some cheapo spring seats / bearings in the kit, and still tagged it OE/OEM..

IF you buy a kit, read through and make sure all the parts are the ones you want, In my opinion the kits are only useful as a mini shopping list to guide you to pick and choose your own parts individually, in my experience they like to sneak non-OE/OEM parts in there whenever they can (Gotta get rid of them somehow if no one's buying em! )

I too have noticed the aftermarket parts begin grouped into the kits and they don't really give you a price break if compare to the same list with separate items. Its really hard to find a kit with good spring seats.

Australopithecus · Post by **Australopithecus** » 21 Mar 2018, 00:24

Thank you to you both for the heads-up. I have two options (since I live out in the boondocks at the bottom end of the African continent): Leave the entire job to the local Volvo service centre, but make sure that no rubbishy parts are installed (easier said than done !) OR wait until I visit the U.S. in June and purchase several components whilst there.

The vehicle is really a "second" one and is only used out on the open road several times a month. It is in superb condition and certainly not worth selling. Rather than spend fortunes on a new motor-car, keep it going, which, of course makes financial sense.

ToriWhite · Post by **ToriWhite** » 21 Mar 2018, 00:45

Whenever you go to a mechanic, you're basically paying someone $40/he to do the same job as fast and careless as possible.. unless the mechanic is a personal friend.. don't do it!

The job isn't too hard to handle alone, besides being smart about spring compressors, it's only a couple nuts and bolts- very straightforward.