Gap on strut

volvomadness · Post by **volvomadness** » 22 Jan 2020, 22:16

Just got a 2005 s60 and i noticed there is a gap on the top of the strut. Structs seem fairly new.
Could I just tighten the top bolt or were they installed wrong.

Car handles bumps fine.

Madness

Post by **mrbrian200** » 22 Jan 2020, 22:45

If you're referring to the gap between the top washer (with rubber feet on the bottom) to the top of the upper strut mount bearing, that's how Volvo designed it. It's suppose to be that way with somewhere around 1/4-1/3" gap there.

I once tried filling this with material cut from an old bump stop in the shape of a flat washer. Steering response improved somewhat at the expense of ride quality on smoother pavement. I decided I preferred the better ride quality over the minor improvement in steering response so I took it out.

Post by **shiloh51933** » 23 Jan 2020, 07:53

volvomadness wrote: ↑22 Jan 2020, 22:16 Just got a 2005 s60 and i noticed there is a gap on the top of the strut. Structs seem fairly new.
Could I just tighten the top bolt or were they installed wrong.

Car handles bumps fine.

Madness

Can you post some pics of the strut gap your referencing?

Post by **June** » 23 Jan 2020, 08:27

shiloh51933 wrote: ↑23 Jan 2020, 07:53
volvomadness wrote: ↑22 Jan 2020, 22:16 Just got a 2005 s60 and i noticed there is a gap on the top of the strut. Structs seem fairly new.
Could I just tighten the top bolt or were they installed wrong.

Car handles bumps fine.

Madness
Can you post some pics of the strut gap your referencing?

Post by **- Pete -** » 23 Jan 2020, 22:43

June’s gap looks about right.

A quick way to see if the spring seat is toast is to (with the hood open) try to bounce the front end of the car up and down. Watch the top hat washer & the gap underneath it. If it fluctuates significantly, the seat is probably done for. A more accurate way to see if your spring seat is shot (ie, inner bushing separated from vulcanized rubber) is to take the top plastic cap off, then remove the nut underneath. You may need to have a torx bit in the top of the shaft as a counterhold. Remove top “washer” & have a look. There is literally zero risk in doing this, so don’t be fearful.

This is an extreme, but will eventually happen if shot seats are left alone too long.

viewtopic.php?t=53566

Post by **shiloh51933** » 24 Jan 2020, 06:38

June wrote: ↑23 Jan 2020, 08:27
shiloh51933 wrote: ↑23 Jan 2020, 07:53
volvomadness wrote: ↑22 Jan 2020, 22:16 Just got a 2005 s60 and i noticed there is a gap on the top of the strut. Structs seem fairly new.
Could I just tighten the top bolt or were they installed wrong.

Car handles bumps fine.

Madness
Can you post some pics of the strut gap your referencing?

Thank you June, lol. I knew what OP meant I just wanted to see his actual strut but thank you.