MacPherson Strut bits and pieces...

Ally · Post by **Ally** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 9:38 pm

Got myself a set of shiny new Koni specials as I was needing to replace a couple anyway.

Back ones were on in about half an hour - then came the front...

The bearings at the base of the springs seem pretty worn/dry and are making nasty grinding noises (although they do turn freely) and the spring cups at the bottom are fairly badly corroded (one actually has a fairly big hole in it) so replacements seem like a good idea.

Has anyone replaced these recently and can they remember a price from Volvo? Wondering if I'm in for a shock.

Also I've read elsewhere on the forum that replacing the rubber top mounts is a good idea, but they seem fairly sound... What signs of wear are visible or is it just a case of 12 year old rubber ain't as good as new...

Answers on a postcard please.

Murf · Post by **Murf** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 9:57 pm

Also I've read elsewhere on the forum that replacing the rubber top mounts is a good idea, but they seem fairly sound... What signs of wear are visible or is it just a case of 12 year old rubber ain't as good as new...

swap you for mine then!
mine fell to bits when i took them out to change my shocks!
still havent changed them yet, i'm still saving up, they're prob about 5 grand from uncle volvo

catgroom · Post by **catgroom** » Sun Jul 10, 2005 10:11 pm

Hi Ally!!!

The top mounts are about 75 sheets the pair from Volvo,its well worth replacing them.

The damaga yer looking for on these is that the rubber is dry,split,old....fuck it theres no point in not changing them!!!!!

I went to the expense of lowering mine and it was great,but a bag of shite compared to new top mounts.Also check for wear in you bottom track control arms,or wishbones.Lever the arms against the floor to see if they have loads of movement.If so get someone to press in new bushes.Alternatively,call me on 07771 633289 tomorrow morning as Im ordering 2 sets and could get us all a discount if I make it another set at 45 per side VAT included.200 quid from Volvo.Seems like the best time to do it while all yer bits are hanging out eh???!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Steve.

Ally · Post by **Ally** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 12:04 am

Thanks for the reply Steve, I've already had the struts in pieces and had a good prod about the top mounts and they seem to be very solid - maybe they've been replaced before? (I've only had the car since March) It's not a big job to strip the struts, and seeing as I'm skint I'll probably just leave them just now.

I think my bushes are fairly worn (though not falling apart) I take it the price you mentioned is for the wishbones with the bushes already inserted - I read your other post about them but wasn't sure exactly what it was you were getting. I also read somewhere that Europarts did the wishbones with bushes for a similar price but haven't contacted them yet. I couldn't decide whether to just be lazy and buy the bushes and let my friendly local mechanic do the fitting as he's got a hydraulic compressor/press.

catgroom · Post by **catgroom** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 11:19 am

Hey!

I know GSF do the bushes for the wishbones.

If your wishbones are in good undented condition then yeah use yer pal with the press and just re-bush em.

Martin Holmes and I have just ordered a pair for our cars from Braydon Motor Company though-they were 35 each for the 4,he gave us a tenner off per wishbone!!!!!!!!

Maybe u dont have to be rich after all!!!!

JohnTurbo · Post by **JohnTurbo** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 11:47 am

I did my own bushes with a large bench vice. Dead easy.

lee · Post by **lee** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 3:43 pm

The wishbone mounts are only Â£10 each from volvo. They are only a few pence cheaper from GSF.

Top mounts are worth doing if for nothing else but peace of mind. Atleast you then know they have been done

Ally · Post by **Ally** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 9:29 pm

Well, I went to see the parts dept. today and ordered some bits.

Spring seats - Â£16 x2
Bearings Â£20 x2
Wishbone bushes Â£10 x4
Various nuts and bolts

These prices are approximate and excluding VAT - I expect the bill to be around Â£120.

I think I'll do as Chris Roll suggested elsewhere and see if the bolts are going to come out the bushes easily, and if not - be lazy and get someone else to do it.

The top mounts can wait as they seem solid and there's other bits I'd rather spend the money on if they're not essential. I think I've spent close to Â£1500 on parts since I got the car this March, but it's definitely a much happier car now than then. I hate to think how much it will cost me to get it as I would like, but that's not really the point (is it?)

Next big spend will be on wheels and then there's just bits of bodywork to tidy up and get it resprayed. Then it truly will be my dream car...

Ally · Post by **Ally** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 3:01 pm

Went to pick up my bits from Murray Volvo today, and boy was I in for a shock. The bolts that go through the wishbone bushes - list price Â£14.10 !!!

... each ...

Needless to say I left them on the counter.

The parts guy was very apologetic, saying "It's things like that that give Volvo a bad name for parts prices." The upside of it was that he was so ashamed he gave me all the other bits at cost from Volvo so:

Spring seats - Â£13 +VAT each
Strut bearings - Â£16.50 +VAT each
Wishbone bushes - Â£7.65 +VAT each (cheaper than anywhere else)

All the other nuts and bolts were less than a tenner all in so god only knows why those ones are so expensive.

Moral of the story - even at Volvo it's worth haggling on price as they do have a bit of come and go.

Right, I'm off to rebuild my suspension....