Strut mounts, OEM or can I go cheaper?

[dwyerob]

I have a 94 850 that clunks over bumps and I think it's the strut mounts since the shocks seem fine. Is this a part I should definately go OEM or can I save some money on cheapies? Thanks

[Matty Moo]

Don't waste your money or time on the cheapies.

[erikv11]

I have aftermarket strut mounts from FCPgroton, there is a range of opinions on that part. On my car they have lasted 80k miles so far. For the spring seats, Volvo-branded only, preferably the XC90 model.

There are other things that cause clunking and fail more commonly, e.g. bad sway bar end links, bad spring seats. Might want to check into the cause if you are trying to only replace the bad part.

[vjaneczko]

Could be a few things if you've never replaced the suspension parts. The thing about the suspension parts; if they are cheapo parts, they'll last a few months and you'll have to redo all the work. Best to get the good stuff for a little more $$ and only do the repair once a decade.

I replaced everything with the kit from FCP and it made a world of difference. I thought the old shocks were OK until I compared them with the new:



Probably a good idea to replace a lot of stuff all at once. If you look at the complete kit, it's missing the inner tie rods. I had to get them to do an alignment, so probably good to add them to your order.

[kiss4afrog]

Check your rear shock top mounts. If they rip apart it may not be apparent without actually looking at them. Do both if one goes. I did one and sure enough a couple months later I had to go back in and do the other.
What brand is OEM, what manufacturer does Volvo use for the originals? When you say "cheapies" where or who's are you talking about? Huge difference between a good part cheap and a cheap part overpriced.
I purchased a pair of MOOG front end sway bar links from a parts store and they came in a MOOG box but the bag inside was German. They were re-boxed as MOOG but I'm not so sure they aren't the OEM's. Different people have different opinions but as long as you're buying a name brand with a respectable warranty you should be good. I've used IPD and Groton and their stuff is very good but I also try to get most stuff from local sources as the issue of warranty is so much easier face to face when you have a failure or fitment issue. One thing that is NOT true is if you buy it on line do not expect to be able to return it to a retailer who handles that line. I've seen it happen with batteries (Optima, very good battery but big $$$), shocks (Rancho, good shocks) and other lines. Most often if the retailer didn't sell it to you they are not going to warranty it. A lot of people love Rockauto's prices but I've seen where something is supposed to fit but doesn't. Sometimes its our fault for inaccurate or incomplete info to them, sometimes it's the cataloging system and sometimes the person you're talking to doesn't hear the same thing you said. Who pays for it to go back?
When doing front end parts remember in most cases you should do or may have to do an alignment after your work or it'll eat your tires and pull your mileage down some (wheels not straight and parallel). Not to mention the handling will suffer too. So remember when thinking about what quality strut you're going to buy the alignment alone will run 75 - 175 depending on who or where you get one and if you're not doing all the stuff at once think about a "lifetime" alignment. That way you're not paying for it again. Get the best quality suspension parts you can afford as you will be able to feel the difference and it makes a huge difference in how well it handles, how long it lasts and how well it STOPS!

Erikv11
Why the xc90 spring seats on a 850??
I'm getting ready to replace both my front struts so I'm VERY curious.

[vjaneczko]

Why the xc90 spring seats on a 850??
I'm getting ready to replace both my front struts so I'm VERY curious.

The xc seats are heavy-duty versions.

[erikv11]

What he said ^^^^^.

The spring seats are an achilles heel on the suspension for these cars. The Volvo-branded ones sold for the XC90 are the exact same fitment on an 850 or S/V70, but the only ones I have never heard complaints about. The standard Volvo-branded and the IPD heavy duty are the other favorites and they seem to work for most people, but even for both of those you will find some complaints of early failure. The XC90 spring seats are not especially expensive, either.

[juny20]

Hello everyone, I know that you get what you pay for. But, will aftermarket parts really last just a few months? I would like your honest opinion about this suspension kit I found in ebay: goo.gl/Shnhf

Is this worth it? I am trying to stretch my money and I am looking at a part's life of 7 years for this kit? Is this reasonable?

I found this one also from FCP Euro. I really like this kit as it is for both front and rear suspension.
goo.gl/R6I7l
Is this a good deal?

[JRL]

Use OEM VOLVO XC90 for spring seats (or IPD HD), strut bearing plates and control arms.
Everything else can be (good) aftermarket

[erikv11]

Use OEM VOLVO XC90 for spring seats (or IPD HD),
Use OEM VOLVO strut bearing plates
Use OEM VOLVO control arms.
Everything else can be (good) aftermarket

This is pretty good advice. Not exactly what I would give, but very very safe.

If you want 7 years then you need to go blue box (VOLVO) or high-quality equivalent, figure out the manufacturer part by part. For many of the parts in those kits you linked, there is NO WAY you will get 7 years out of them. Yes, some of them will last literally just a few months. Unfortunately most of the aftermarket crap is made to look like a replacement part, rather than to function like one. You aren't hearing a voice of snobbery or elitism here, but of experience.