Struts / Shocks 2000 V70

[iceb52!]

I have 120K miles on a 2000 V70 (Manufacture 9/99). Dealer says the "strut mounts" are worn out. I have noticed a "clunking" sound in the front end which I thought was the engine mounts, but they were OK.

Dealer says struts are fine. My thoughts are that I should replace the struts as well since work is already being done around them. I plan on keeping the car for another 120k +. If so, I was thinking of getting Bilstein struts based on some reading I have done.

I would like to hear opinions on replacing the old struts (or keeping them) and what brand should I purchase. What about replacing rear shocks at the same time?

Thanks

RB

[dosbricks]

At 120K it would be wise to replace the struts since they have to come out to change the other part, and this is a labor intensive job.

Make sure of your terms before ordering any parts. Strut mounts are the steel plates with a bearing in them that connect the strut to the top of the strut tower via 3 studs. They cost $119 each and almost never wear out.

Spring seats are the hard rubber cup-like plates that connect the top of the spring to the strut. They cost $20 each and have a history of cracking at 100+k and causing the "clunk" noise. They are often mistakenly called "strut mounts".

Also, change the sway bar links ($30) while you are in there.

Rear shocks are a piece of cake and can be done without much effort with a $12 tool from an auto parts store or a deep offset box end wrench (to tighten the top nut).

By the way, if you are considering changing the struts yourself it really helps to have air tools since there is a lot of wrenching involved. Also requires a torque wrench plus borrowing a spring compressor from your friendly auto parts store.

[iceb52!]

Looking for opinions on Bilstein Heavy Duty Struts as replacement/upgrade from OEM.