How to install trunk lifts.

Jerbob · Post by **Jerbob** » 21 Nov 2006, 10:13

Well, it's live and learn. The old Volvo gas struts popped right off. Wow, I thought, this will be a snap. When I tried to put the Ebay-purchased after-market struts on, I used everything from two Visegrips and a two-foot pry bar to get the new ones on, risking window breakage when the tools slipped off the ball-end joint and the new ball cup for the strut. Finally wrestled the first one on. Then I started on the second. Same problem, even worse. The replacement struts were slightly longer than the old ones and I couldn't compress them to line up. And here's the clencher: each ball cup of the new struts had a ring clip that I finally figured out had to be removed before the cup could be pressed over the ball.

Still the problem with the strut being too long persisted. Light went on! Remove the forward mounting plate, where the ball fitting is attached, then press the ball (after removing the clip), replace the clip, then bolt the plate back in place (only two machine bolts). I marked the position of the plate so if I had to I could pry it backward toward the rear of the car, once I had the bolts in place (it is adjustable).

Didn't have to pry it back. Once the strut was attached and the mounting plate bolted down, the tailgate worked like a charm.
At least one moral of the story: if the factory part and the aftermarket part look different, they are different. Make sure you know you can deal with the difference.

The pair of struts with shipping from Ebay cost only $35, so that was something of a deal. I got a quote from a NAPA auto parts store of $42 each!

Be careful where you lay the plastic speaker covers that you snap off the rear post. While prying the hell out of those recalcitrant struts, I laid back on one of the covers and put a tiny crack in it. Looks fine now that it's back in place, but I know the crack is there.
A further word about removing the trim just forward of the post: If you have grease on your hands you will mess up your headliner. I got most of my mess-up off with several light dabs of rubbing alcohol on clean paper napkins. Don't use the napkins more than once, you'll just smear the grease more.

Whew! Sure took a lot longer than 30 minutes, but the education was worth the $300 bucks I saved. Cheers!

Svenska 850 Wagon · Post by **Svenska 850 Wagon** » 26 Dec 2006, 22:20

This site saves the day again!

I went to ebay and bought my Rear Wagon Door Shocks from:

http://stores.ebay.com/FCP-Groton

Shipped fast and installed in 45mins. Only $40 + Shipping.

Volvo wanted $394.00 installed.

Hrothmir · Post by **Hrothmir** » 09 Jul 2007, 11:04

Thanks largely to this web site, I succeeded in changing the trunk struts for my 98 Volvo S70.

I am not mechanical at all

Warren561 · Post by **Warren561** » 08 Apr 2008, 16:26

Hrothmir wrote:Ordering Parts: I ended up ordering the pair of trunk struts from www.partsquick.com (for just under $50 including shipping). The original parts in my car were Stabilus brand (Volvo part # 9187795). The replacements were identical Stabilus brand parts (with Volvo part # 9485546).

FYI-

Amazon.com has both the Stabilus 9485546 (w/o spoiler) and Stabilus 9485547 (w/ spoiler) available for $22.58 each with free shipping (purchases over $25).

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 16 Mar 2009, 19:09

I know this thread is 5 years old but I would rather post in a thread already in existence than make a new one (proof that I do a search first

) So, I have an S70 and the trunk just began slamming shut- my rear trunk struts are shot. I looked in VADIS and it says something similar to the 850 but says I have to remove the C/D post trim and the parcel post in order to get the front portion of the struts out- nothing written above my post indicates that although there is talk of how to do replace these struts on an S70- does anyone know of a write-up with pictures to help simplify this procedure?

Post by **VCA** » 16 Mar 2009, 19:23

MadeInJapan wrote:I know this thread is 5 years old but I would rather post in a thread already in existence than make a new one (proof that I do a search first ) So, I have an S70 and the trunk just began slamming shut- my rear trunk struts are shot. I looked in VADIS and it says something similar to the 850 but says I have to remove the C/D post trim and the parcel post in order to get the front portion of the struts out- has anyone done this- know how to do it? Is it really that much different than the 850 sedan?

I did it all through the trunk (and I'm not particularly strong) twice!--no bolster removal necessary.

Use a screwdriver to remove the metal clips from the strut where it attaches to the trunk arms, then grasping the shiny part of the strut and using your other hand as leverage in the opposite direction, pop it off the bar it's attached to...you will push up on the strut to unclip it (see the new one to figure out what the clip looks like). To install, place the clip over the bar and use your hands to pull the clip into place (it does require some force, but if you buy Stabilus or Volvo-brand struts it won't bend the metal), then attach it to the pin on the trunk lid arm.

Oh, and why did I do it twice? I bought aftermarket struts from FCP and they're Scan-Tech! Blew up in 3 weeks. Sent 'em back...went on Amazon.com and lo-and-behold, they carry Stabilus (Volvo's OEM German supplier) struts for the same price as the Scan-Techs! Go on Amazon, search for 9485546 (that's the part without a spoiler) or 9485547 (with spoiler). $23 each and much smoother than the Scan-Techs. Such a deal.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 16 Mar 2009, 19:27

Thanks VCA- I posted and then edited my post but apparently you answered to my first one. I edited because when I searched for this topic, I found one page, so answered to that- I had no idea there were 2 more pages that followed (with some posts that deal with the S70). I like your approach to this repair the best. I have a chance to pull 2 of these struts off of an S70 at a pick-n-pull tomorrow, so I'm going to try that first- these will be OEM parts but no telling how long they will last.

Btw, does anyone know how to restore these gas struts- that would be the ultimate in recycling these parts.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 17 Mar 2009, 19:30

I made it to the junk yard this afternoon. Then it took me almost 2 hours to take the trunk struts out of the S70 I was working on- what a royal pain in the ass...don't know if there's an easy way or not- must be totally different than the 850...the retaining part that snaps out is a very hard "snap" and is completely buried in a place that you can't see- you can only feel - and to make matters worse, you can't even get a tool in there- VADIS instructions were totally worthless- like they're for a completely different car. I have bruises on both arms from reaching in and ultimately pushing them out with bare hands while yelling a few expletives. And...I bent one of the supposed, non-bendable Volvo struts (metal part). Though I straightened it, doubtful it is now sound. That said, I only needed to replace one of my struts...the other was still in good shape (found out as I was trying to replace it)- but the struts I brought home from the pick-n-pull are different than the ones in my car- mine are clearly marked, "with spoiler" on them. I found no indication on line that there were two different types on the S70's but there are... Oh well, we'll see how long the one I installed lasts (btw, installation was a cinch compared to getting these out).

viriiguy · Post by **viriiguy** » 01 Apr 2009, 16:23

I tried for two days to replace the trunk struts on my 99 S70. I read this thread and saw that most were suggesting that I do as I was..
Place the hook end of the strut on the bar and use a screwdriver or something to press it down. Well I broke one strut, snapped the hook end off it and bent another one. And these were Volvo brand struts.

So I gave up and took the car to a buddy of mine. He just laughed at me and went to the back seat. The leather bolsters on each side of the back seat just lift up and out, giving you an access hole that is just below the bar the strut connects to. From there is was just a 2 minute job, grab the strut and pull down slightly... poof it snapped in place

viriiguy · Post by **viriiguy** » 01 Apr 2009, 16:28

MadeInJapan wrote: Btw, does anyone know how to restore these gas struts- that would be the ultimate in recycling these parts.

MiJ, There used to be a place on Cedar Bluff (i think) called Knoxville hydraulic. I temped there once many moons ago and they could rebuild struts there. But it involved machining work and was rather pricey. Cheaper to just replace them

How to install trunk lifts.

95 Volvo 850 wagon tailgate gas strut replacement