S60 Suspension: Recommendations for replacement front suspension assembly?

[Smoth1976]

Offside top strut mount has failed on my 2009 S60 D5. My trusty mechanic has suggested changing the entire suspension assembly rather than just the strut mount (for longevity) so I'm not looking for inexpensive parts of reasonable quality.

I don't drive many miles at all any more (maybe 3k per year) and the car is starting to look a bit worn around the edges (like it's owner) so cost is main concern.

Does anyone have any suggestions please? Is it more economical to buy pre-assembled in one go or but all separate parts?

Thanks in advance.

[Simmy]

i have never come across pre assembled units so i tend to use parts sourced from various places plus it means you can spread the cost by buying parts in the run up to tackling the job i usually wait for good weather before starting any thing major un less the MOT dictates otherwise.

[stuart bowes]

Bear in mind the top mount is in two parts, the rubber upper spring cup which I got as an OEM volvo part because I was concerned about the rubber being inferior on aftermarket options, and the actual top plate with the bearing pressed into it, which I believe I got as a Meyle part, been fine so far with about 18 months to 2 years ish of use (would have to double check my dates to be sure..) the new struts themselves were meyle as well, springs Eibach, again fine so far

I just kept an eye on ebay until I found decent pricing (new parts though obvs not used) except for the springs which for some reason I got from autodoc, best price at the time I guess

All in all it was a few hundred quid but like simmy said I bought it in bits over a period of time until I had it all and there was a nice sunny day

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by Smoth1976

Offside top strut mount has failed on my 2009 S60 D5. My trusty mechanic has suggested changing the entire suspension assembly rather than just the strut mount (for longevity) so I'm not looking for inexpensive parts of reasonable quality.

I don't drive many miles at all any more (maybe 3k per year) and the car is starting to look a bit worn around the edges (like it's owner) so cost is main concern.

Does anyone have any suggestions please? Is it more economical to buy pre-assembled in one go or but all separate parts?

Thanks in advance.

If cost is a concern, replacing the strut mount is your cheapest option. Although, you'd be best getting the nearside strut mount done whilst you're at it, as if one is gone, the other won't be far behind. If the existing shock absorbers are in a good state, as in the ride isn't bouncy and there's no visible leaks, there's no need (yet) to replace them.

I understand what you're mechanic is advising, especially with it being a 2009 car. You have to take the shock absorber assembly out, compress the spring to replace the mount. Its just as easy whilst they're at it to replace the shocks, which I get and that's what you're mechanic means, but that's expensive. If budget doesn't allow that, then just do the strut mounts. Its okay him saying "just replace the shocks", but he's not paying for them.

Pre-made shock absorber assemblies aren't popular here. It seems to be more of a thing in America and other parts of the world, but they're ridiculously expensive. Its often cheaper just to buy the parts that make up the shock assembly individually.

Its best practice after replacing the strut mounts that you get an alignment checked (or tracking as its often referred to). Same applies to track-rod ends or shock absorber replacement, control arms etc etc.

[DieselDoNicely]

Originally Posted by Smoth1976

Offside top strut mount has failed on my 2009 S60 D5. My trusty mechanic has suggested changing the entire suspension assembly rather than just the strut mount (for longevity) so I'm not looking for inexpensive parts of reasonable quality.

I don't drive many miles at all any more (maybe 3k per year) and the car is starting to look a bit worn around the edges (like it's owner) so cost is main concern.

Does anyone have any suggestions please? Is it more economical to buy pre-assembled in one go or but all separate parts?

Thanks in advance.

Change the top mount and its rubber-dub bush. If the suspension strut looks ok keep using it. Use the genuine mounts, try FRF in Swansea they do mail order.