S60 -- Mechanic is a moron -- can't install a strut

litewait · Post by **litewait** » 21 Jul 2016, 17:32

Time get a new mechanic, but I am going to make him fix this one. Here is the story.

S60 2005

12 months ago, purchased all the strut components (Monroe -- yeah I know 150k miles and on a budget) and had them replace. $350 not a bad price.

2 months later passenger side strut blows through spring seat and dents the hood. Assume it is crappy Monroe spring seat, shop replaces spring seat.

A couple of weeks ago Volvo dealer did my oil change (had a coupon) and the noticed driver side strut is leaking oil and spring seat is broken (I pulled the wheel and sure enough the strut is leaking but I don't see a broken spring seat. Also, noticed a squeaking noise when push down on the wheel well and when hard braking.

Call Monroe and they honor the warranty and ship me a new strut. Happened to get a tech on the phone and asked him about the strut blowing through the spring seat and he said he only has heard of that if some installed it wrong ... like forgot bumper retainer, or something was install upside down.

Brought the replacement strut and they installed that. Drove it home seemed fine, but I popped open the hood and the top cap on the strut is UPSIDE DOWN ! ! Pressed down on the wheel well and there still is a squeaking noise. See the pic....

Question: Maybe I never noticed, when they first did them that they didn't install it right. Does that make sense? Trying to think how I should let this guy have it. I've only put about 7k miles on it a year ! !

Post by **oragex** » 21 Jul 2016, 18:34

Yeah, time for new mechanic, actually on these cars you need to know a few tips, reason I won't let a non Volvo mechanic touch it (could be independent but a Volvo specialist)

There are only two spring seats options that will last past 1 year, ans this is not a joke. Sachs or this http://www.eeuroparts.com/Parts/9708/St ... -30683637/
Monroe are not that bad, but if the mechanic has no clue to install them they can fail.

Given you have a cheap spring mount you will need to replace it so the strut has to be removed.
But until then, read carefully: only while the strut is installed on the car, you can remove the top nut and reverse the upper piece which is upside down, then put the nut back in place.

litewait · Post by **litewait** » 22 Jul 2016, 07:42

Showed the guy at the shop and I think he was embarrassed that the mechanic had installed the strut spacer upside down.

I showed him squeaking noise when I push down on the wheel well, to me it sounds like the spring seat/strut bearing up top (but again at a year old I can't see how that could be), he seems to think the noise is down low like the ball joint (I had the inner/outer tie rods done last year) so I don't think he is right.

Wonder how this saga will end.

litewait · Post by **litewait** » 22 Jul 2016, 09:57

Ok, the saga continues. The shop flipped the strut spacer. They are saying the squeaking noise is coming from the new (warranty replacement Monroe strut) ! ! !

Is this possible, can Monroe struts be this bad? Trying to figure out the way to approach Monroe this time. This is ridiculous.

Post by **oragex** » 22 Jul 2016, 10:12

The answer is 5in above on the screen

Post by **vtl** » 22 Jul 2016, 11:30

You only get good struts from Sachs or Volvo (with Sachs label

).

Post by **mrbrian200** » 22 Jul 2016, 16:47

No Monroe's aren't that bad. Sister's VW has them (premium "sense tracs") for the last 6 years they are just fine. Actually I think I prefer the Monroes on the VW as opposed to the Sachs on the Volvo for the type of roads and speeds I am mostly... The Sachs are tuned for very high speed driving on well maintained interstate quality pavement but are just way too stiff for low speed poorly maintained county/side roads. The Sachs/Volvo drives AWESOME at speeds over 80mph and the faster you go the better it feels. The Monroe's are tuned better for average/lower speed/bumpy side roads (what I am driving on mostly) but aren't as well controlled at speeds over about 85. Since I rarely, if ever drive at those speeds I would better appreciate the cushy ride quality of the Monroes for my daily 5-mile lollygag for morning coffee on a very bumpy/uneven rural side road.

I put Sachs on my old Chrysler Cirrus with the same observed ride characteristics. Turned a smooth riding "cloud car" into jarring unhappy experience...but once in awhile when I drove into Chicago it was right at home in the left/express lanes with traffic going 85+. I was hoping with the Volvo the Sachs struts would be tuned for a smoother ride quality (being a Luxury make), but no they feel exactly like the ones I put on the Chrysler with the main difference being the extra 1000lb curb weight on the Volvo acting as somewhat of a buffer. Not what I was really looking for but they're bought and installed I have to live with it for awhile.

Post by **oragex** » 23 Jul 2016, 05:21

Interesting point brian. I drive mostly poor city roads and it's true the replacement Sachs are hard on potholes, with lack of smooth absorption