1996 850 Turbo - Bad front strut.

bugs11 · Post by **bugs11** » 07 Sep 2018, 15:55

How exactly do I tell if a front strut has gone bad?

I replaced the front struts three years ago, summer of 15, with Sachs 9140072 from FCP Euro. I replaced the strut seats and sway bar linkage at the same time. Car has been off to college with my kid for a couple years. Kid came home for a visit and I drove the car to work today. I hear definite squeaking from the left front end when going over minor bumps. When I push down on the front of the car in the driveway, the front left car moves down a lot easier than the right front. I'm going to change the oil tonight, anything I can look at underneath while I have it jacked up to verify the strut is kaput? And shouldn't struts last longer than three years?

Post by **erikv11** » 07 Sep 2018, 17:10

That all fits a bad spring seat on the left side, except the "a lot" part of "a lot easier." Anyway maybe that's all that has gone bad, which would not be surprising for 3 years. Give the top nut a spin.

bugs11 · Post by **bugs11** » 09 Sep 2018, 11:24

Yep, that's it. Everything looked good from underneath. I can pull the top of the strut up a good half inch or so, and spin it freely.

Do I have to remove the strut to replace the top seat?

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipO ... Q3OW5RSDRn

bugs11 · Post by **bugs11** » 09 Sep 2018, 11:39

Which front top strut mount is recommended? The INA or BOGE from FCP Euro. Genuine Volvo is about $100 more than those two.

Post by **abscate** » 09 Sep 2018, 12:07

The aftermarket ones give you the joy of repeating the job every 12 months. FCP will give you new parts, and you get to do front strut work in the middle of a blizzard, outside.

OEM VOLVO are the parts that last here.

Post by **gmh** » 10 Sep 2018, 09:02

bugs11 wrote: ↑09 Sep 2018, 11:39 Which front top strut mount is recommended? The INA or BOGE from FCP Euro. Genuine Volvo is about $100 more than those two.

$100? I think you need spring seats not strut mounts.

You need this: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... p2-8646713

not this: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... t-31200599

bugs11 · Post by **bugs11** » 10 Sep 2018, 09:17

Yeah, I figured that out after my post. I just need an front upper seat spring. What can I add to my FC Euro order to get it above $49? I'm down to one Mann oil filter. More oil filters and an air filter?

Post by **erikv11** » 10 Sep 2018, 14:31

Is it time for a cabin filter yet? Oil cap rubber gasket?

Even the Volvo spring seats are suspect now as they appear to have switched manufacturures and some have seen early failure (thread somewhere around here ...) but that's what I would by, and hang onto the FCP warranty if/as needed. Unfortunately you have to disassemble the whole strut assembly to replace the spring seat. Spring compressors, etc..

Post by **scot850** » 10 Sep 2018, 15:59

I have used Sachs spring seats and they seem to be ok. Volvo now uses Rein which are not as good in my opinion.

Neil.

WhatAmIDoing · Post by **WhatAmIDoing** » 10 Sep 2018, 18:32

Sachs spring seats are cheaper on FCP. If Volvo really did switch to Rein, then I would buy Sachs. If you have to replace them within 2 years either way, then why not save some money?