Front Strut Replacement, ,98 V70xc

DAK · Post by **DAK** » 14 Dec 2011, 11:32

Just getting ready to replace the Front Struts on my '98 V70xc. Any good write-ups out there? Specifically looking for the Spring Length when resetting it into the new strut... (Found some write-ups, but they didn't seem to mention the V70...model - or doesn't it make a difference?)
Thanks for the help.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 14 Dec 2011, 14:18

This is a good writeup. It is for an 850 but it is all the same.

http://members.shaw.ca/heeeeee/strut/

The strut/spring length ultimately takes care of itself once the spring compressors are removed. If you have a broken spring seat you will need to scrunch the springs down a bit further to get the cross shaped nut off.

...Lee

DAK · Post by **DAK** » 14 Dec 2011, 14:41

Thanks Lee.. should be good to go.

DAK · Post by **DAK** » 14 Dec 2011, 14:58

One Question...Is there a way to check the (Spring Seat) and (Bearing Mount) before tearing it apart? I am getting a loud "Clunking" sound when hitting minor bumps. The Control Arm and Tie Rods feel tight - and it drives straight. (Sounds only come with the up/down movement of the wheel...)
Thanks

mschneider · Post by **mschneider** » 14 Dec 2011, 18:01

If you are replacing the strut, replace the spring seat too; driving in the potholes of the North, I find they wear out far too quickly. The heavier duty ones you can get some places last longer. Once you've purchased those, you might find it useful to replace the bearing too... they are cheap enough compared to the cost of tearing it all apart again a week later.

From experience, when looking at the spring seat near the bushing at the top, I can tell if the rubber is looking old/cracked or has separated some. That can be an indicator it has or is about to fail.

I can tell you from personal experience, I've replaced the struts on my 850 T5 wagon and my v70XC, and I didn't replace the bearing on the v70 at the same time as the strut, and found that the properly functioning replacement strut quickly amplified any problems with the old parts. I ended up pulling it apart again within a week and doing it right.

I'll also note that if the spring isn't seated in the strut properly on the bottom (e.g. if it is rotated slightly), you may get creaks while driving while it tries to right itself. Though I doubt that is your issue with an older or original strut.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 15 Dec 2011, 05:08

DAK wrote:One Question...Is there a way to check the (Spring Seat) and (Bearing Mount) before tearing it apart? I am getting a loud "Clunking" sound when hitting minor bumps. The Control Arm and Tie Rods feel tight - and it drives straight. (Sounds only come with the up/down movement of the wheel...)
Thanks

Just grab the big inverted castle washer at the top of the strut and try to turn it. With a bad spring seat they will turn with fairly minimal resistance. Anytime I am replacing struts I replace the spring seats and I use OEM XC90 seats at that. They are much beefier around the bushing than the standard 850 / 70 series seats and they are only a few dollars more.

The strut bearings are tough to diagnose while the strut is in place unless they are really, really bad and the top of the strut has a lot of lateral play. If you do change them use the OEM strut mounts only. The aftermarket products seem to crap out after about 6 months. On the 4 850s that I have replaced the struts on I have replaced 2 of the strut bearings but they really weren't that bad and I saved the old ones. On that car they had close to 200k miles on them.

...Lee

Post by **JRL** » 15 Dec 2011, 07:46

Volvo dealers are not selling the old spring seats anymore, they were replaced by XC90 spring seats.
However, double check to make sure you're getting those.
There are some of the old, standard ones still around and certain unscrupulous dealers are trying to pawn those off!