Spring seat or strut mount

[girafe04]

Hi all, so my girlfriend has the 1999 S70 2.4 non turb vin 55, it's making a creaking noise from the front left when going over bumps or if you simply push up and down on the front of the car.

Local Volvo shop (not dealer) says its the "strut cap" which I know as a strut mount plate/bearing, I called a dealership to see how much for parts to do it my self as I couldn't find them at local stores in stock and the guy who answered the phone in parts said it was probably the spring seat, without me even asking.

So I've found these :

http://www.ipdusa.com/version.asp?strPa ... &V_ID=1618

and these:

https://www.amazon.com/Moog-K90229-Coil-Spring-Seat/dp/B000C545DG/ref=au_pf_pfg_s?ie=UTF8&Model=S70|146&n=15684181&s=automotive&Make=Volvo|27&Year=1999|1999&newCar=1&carId=002

Now a few questions:

Is this actually whats causing the noise?
I've heard similar noises that were control arm bushings (although this car has a new one on the left). I can post a video of the noise if needed.

Can I tackle this in my garage/do I have to remove the whole spring assembly or can I compress it while still attached to the lca?
It's been my experiance that control arm bolt can be very very stubborn.

Will I need an alignment?

The shop want $140 parts and labor for the "cap" which I'm thinking they are just going to do this spring seat, and that would include an alignment if necessary. Seeing as an alignment is $60-$75 and the part is $25 - $30, $35 - $55 dollars might be worth letting them do it.

I feel fairly confident on suspension work as I've done the whole front end on my own car.

Also, I will be doing the front sway bar end links which seem pretty straight forward as on most cars, but if there are some surprises please let me know.

This is the first Volvo I've worked on.

Thanks in advance!

[RobTheModd]

Easy way to find out.

Turn the car on, have her turn the wheel.
YOU watch the strut mount, and see.

if it makes noises then its the strut mount. easiest and free way to do it.

[girafe04]

Thanks.

Tried it and it doesn't make any noise when its turning, just when its going up and down.

[wjhandy850]

Spring seat... common issue that we've all replaced.

[JRL]

Probably the spring seat and that one is not the one to buy
Either buy an OEM Volvo XC90 spring seat (it fits) or IPD's HD (their own) spring seat
Do not consider any others

[girafe04]

Thanks a lot folks, now about installation.
Is it possible to do this with the structure still attached to lca, or does it need to come out.

[cn90]

Every single thing you ask is in this thread below. You need "spring compressor" and some experience in fixing cars. This strut job is not for newbie. However, if you read it back and forth 10 times, you may be able to do it.

DIY: 1998 Volvo V70 Front Bilstein TC Strut Tips/Tricks

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=28455

[girafe04]

Thanks for the link.
This looks easy enough, the only thing I don't have is thin wrench for the endlinks.

[girafe04]

Well it all went pretty smoothly, bot nearly as stubborn as my car was.
Only problem I ran into was that I put the dust cover ob backwards and didn't notice till the strut was back in the car.

[zanzabar]

Probably the spring seat and that one is not the one to buy
Either buy an OEM Volvo XC90 spring seat (it fits) or IPD's HD (their own) spring seat
Do not consider any others

Replaced mine 5000 miles (10 months) ago with the cheap ones (IRO I think) and they're failing already.