Reusing coil springs and mounts

RivaRay · Post by **RivaRay** » 27 Sep 2019, 02:07

Hi. I'm not finding much on this topic anywhere...

Can the coil springs and/or mounts typically be reused when replacing struts or should one expect to replace one or both? Are there any telltale signs either have gone bad?

I just replaced the other front suspension components (control arm, ball joint, sway bar, tie rods) on my 2007 XC90 3.2 FWD with 122K miles. Next are the struts. My budget allows me to replace just struts (and probably mounts) with Sachs or Bilstein Touring. I found both options for under or about $300. The idea of ready struts is enticing though for simplicity and price. Oredy for $130 and SenSen @ $213 seem to have decent reviews... assuming I can confidently get a few years out of them.

Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts.

Post by **xHeart** » 27 Sep 2019, 09:04

RivaRay wrote: ↑27 Sep 2019, 02:07 Hi. I'm not finding much on this topic anywhere...

Can the coil springs and/or mounts typically be reused when replacing struts or should one expect to replace one or both? Are there any telltale signs either have gone bad?

I just replaced the other front suspension components (control arm, ball joint, sway bar, tie rods) on my 2007 XC90 3.2 FWD with 122K miles. Next are the struts. My budget allows me to replace just struts (and probably mounts) with Sachs or Bilstein Touring. I found both options for under or about $300. The idea of ready struts is enticing though for simplicity and price. Oredy for $130 and SenSen @ $213 seem to have decent reviews... assuming I can confidently get a few years out of them.

Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts.

You can reuse Volvo coils if free of rust and cracks. Front suspension is about control and safety. I will order all parts and replace, and then return unused items.

Post by **oragex** » 27 Sep 2019, 09:58

You can keep the coils and the bearing plate (#6), but you will need the spring seat - #7 in the diagram above. Buy only Sachs or Rein/CRP (Fcpeuro.com). May also order the #9 (bump stop goes bad) - I believe it comes with the small plate #10.

RivaRay · Post by **RivaRay** » 27 Sep 2019, 15:45

It's all the unknowns that make ready struts seem to be a nice idea. Have you come across or heard of any that are worth speaking of? Heard of or know anything of the Oredy or SenSen?

RivaRay · Post by **RivaRay** » 27 Sep 2019, 15:45

oragex wrote: ↑27 Sep 2019, 09:58 You can keep the coils and the bearing plate (#6), but you will need the spring seat - #7 in the diagram above. Buy only Sachs or Rein/CRP (Fcpeuro.com). May also order the #9 (bump stop goes bad) - I believe it comes with the small plate #10.

You like Sachs over Bilstein?

Post by **oragex** » 27 Sep 2019, 17:55

Did not had Bilstein, may be a good choice. Someone did a table comparison here https://forums.swedespeed.com/showthrea ... uggestions

I'm not sure how many choices you have for the XC90 ? On the Fcpeuro there's only the genuine one.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... 77#fitment
https://www.volvopartswebstore.com/prod ... 77877.html

RivaRay · Post by **RivaRay** » 27 Sep 2019, 20:44

oragex wrote: ↑27 Sep 2019, 17:55 Did not had Bilstein, may be a good choice. Someone did a table comparison here https://forums.swedespeed.com/showthrea ... uggestions

I'm not sure how many choices you have for the XC90 ? On the Fcpeuro there's only the genuine one.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... 77#fitment
https://www.volvopartswebstore.com/prod ... 77877.html

That chart was great!

When you previously referred to #9 and #10 on the diagram, you suggest getting the bump stop and stop washer in addition to spring seat? Just making sure.

Sachs seems to be the general way to go for comfort... and Bilstein B4 Touring for a firmer ride or when hauling a lot on 7 seater. I'm somewhere between the two. Bilstein B6 was easily disqualified.
I just need to move on from idea of quick struts since I'd like to know what to expect. Volvo forums have said SenSen is pretty much junk after 1-2 years, and Oredy feedback is nowhere to be found. I found a lot of good feedback on the Gabriel G52295 Ultra Struts. For an extra $80 to replace with OE Sachs, that looks to be the way to go. With the other parts, looking at about $350 on FCP so still reasonable. Reading some frustration online with FCP sending China parts when marketing German or French so I'll see but otherwise looks like a plan.

Thank you for your input.

Post by **MoVolvos** » 30 Sep 2019, 21:00

-
I've purchased from this company and they honored their warranty. I think many companies use the same strut assembly from the pictures I've seem. 12 good reviews.

"2006 Volvo XC90 front strut assembly. These struts fit perfect and are good quality. They were shipped fast and great people to deal with.I highly recommend these people and there products.love em"

AM Price:$161.99 - 10 Year Warranty
https://www.am-autoparts.com/products/s ... 186&y=2007

These look like Sach?
https://www.amazon.com/Duralo-Complete- ... merReviews

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 30 Sep 2019, 21:17

I highly urge you to stay away from the off brand/Chinese struts and quick struts. Sometimes you may luck out and find a good bargain, but struts aren't a great place to cheap out.
My cousin had some eBay quick struts in his '98 V70 for a short time, and we swapped in the original springs and lightly used Sachs struts not too long after because the aftermarket ones were too stiff and sat WAY too high. Car rides much better now!

Anyway, I used AM Autoparts strut mounts and spring seats in my old '98 V70, and they are still working fine with 25k miles on them. That said, my cousin had the same ones in his '99 S70 and the spring seats failed with around the same mileage. The XC90 is much heavier than a P80, and if those spring seats can't hold up to a P80 for the long term, they certainly won't hold up to an XC90.

I ordered all the strut parts for our XC90 from FCP, I went with Sachs struts. It's a Sport, so I went with the OEM Sachs sport struts. From what I understand the sport valved struts superseded the non-sport struts, so you'll get a comfortable but controlled ride. Based on my research, the Sachs sport struts are similar to the Bilstein Tourings. I highly recommend them!

Springs are likely fine to reuse (I've only ever replaced them because I was installing lowering springs), but if budget allows I would recommend replacing the spring seats, strut mounts, and bump stops at the very least. The stops are for sure rotted out, and the spring seats can and will fail after 12 years and 122k miles of driving.

Post by **MoVolvos** » 30 Sep 2019, 22:02

bmdubya1198 wrote: ↑30 Sep 2019, 21:17 I highly urge you to stay away from the off brand/Chinese struts and quick struts. Sometimes you may luck out and find a good bargain, but struts aren't a great place to cheap out.

I agree, but...

I think Volvo's design in general causes the parts to fail prematurely. I've read that even IPD's heavy duty ones have failed also. That being said if there is a 10 year warranty and the assemblies are all looking identical to the Sach quick struts I think I would take the chance at $162 for a pair of the whole assembly for the ease of installation.

Is the commute freeway only with a little street on nicely paved roads vs spirited driving with off camber turns on backwoods bumpy roads? Road conditions should play a role also in the decision. At $162 it's so tempting to just go for it.