Tailgate Strut replacement notes '97 850 GLT

[cchantzis]

1998 V90 Installation:
Well, I replaced my tailgate struts on 1998 V90 in just about 5 minutes. I fully agree with previous posts that some of us make this job to be rather challenging even though it is really straight forward. My tips are:
1. First, remove the spring clip with a small flat screwdriver.
2. Next, pop-out the old tailgate struts with a large, flat screwdriver.
3. Now, remove the outer spring of each new tailgate strut.
4. Simply pop-in each new tailgate strut without exerting too much force. If it doesn't go in, then take out and adjust the inner spring so it is flush in its recessed track. If you exert too much force then you will damage that inner spring and you will have problems.
5. Finally, reinstall the external spring in each tailgate strut.

[enotslim]

Bumping since the topic doesn't seem to have changed much. How do I get the existing tail gate struts off? 1998 V70 T5. Tried for over an hour tonight to pry the socket off the ball with screw driver. they don't budge at all. I guess there's a captive clip I can't see that retains the ball? The Stabilus replacements I bought have a captive clip. Must this be removed before popping the strut socket off the ball? If so, how?

Thanks.

[enotslim]

Ooops! I see my questions are already addressed earlier in this thread. I must have been too tired when I posted. Sorry. I'll read what you all have already written before I ask anything more.

Dave

[enotslim]

The issue was the weight of the tailgate pressured the socket/ball interface so tightly I couldn't disengage it. Once I had someone actually lift the tailgate, not just support it, to relieve that force everything went fine.

[bernardtha]

i have just replaced my tailgate struts i bought them off ebay they were too long to snap on easily so i unscrewed one end and hacksawed quarter of an inch off the internally threaded end screwed it back into the the strut and it went on straight away i hope this helps

[scot850]

Welcome to MVS and thanks for the info!

One question though, what brand of strut did you use? I have used Volvo and a Swedish made part (can't recall the brand) and both fit without problems. Having said that, that was a few years ago. Volvo now uses more Chinese suppliers with the unfortunate quality issues that often goes with them.

Spoke to a dealer service rep today who said they had horrible squealing brakes on new Volvos. Brake pads were the issue. Made in China. Let's be clear, I am not anti-Chinese, but the quality is still too variable. It will take a long time before I put my life on the line with Chinese brake parts knowingly!

Anyway, apparently they are now made in Italy and issue has gone away.

I thought maybe they were trying to emulate the old 240 brake squeal which launched the bumper sticker 'My brakes squeal because it is a Volvo'.

Neil.