S60 Suspension: Top strut support and spring seat

[wynnj]

Hope this doesn't sound too dumb a question, but what are the symptoms that that would lead one to suspect the condition of the top strut support mount and spring seat, and is it possible to check them without removing the whole strut from the car?

Thanks in advance

[Jim314]

Originally Posted by wynnj

Hope this doesn't sound too dumb a question, but what are the symptoms that that would lead one to suspect the condition of the top strut support mount and spring seat, and is it possible to check them without removing the whole strut from the car?

Thanks in advance

What vehicle? Model, engine and year.

The upper mount can be visually inspected. If you have the old round one, it can be visually inspected for tears where the heavy rubber band (oriented roughly vertically) contacts the round edge of the mount.

As far as the rubber mounts of the strut bar, I don't think they ever go bad. There should be play in the strut bar if you pull it forward and backward with your hand. Some people put stiff polyurethane bushings in place of the rubber, but I doubt this does anything of value.

I replaced my torn OE rubber round bushing with a stiff poly symmetrical one because the poly one was in two parts and I could insert the two parts with the round aluminium bracket still on the vehicle (2004 V70 2.4L 168 hp non-turbo). I got an immediate increase in vibration in the passenger compartment, but I just left it in place.

I may change to an OE rubber bushing insert using the technique described in another thread (here I think) of putting the insert in the freezer 12 hrs before. Supposedly it then slips right in, otherwise you have to press it in and it is troublesome to do. If you change the insert, be sure to mark the orientation of the OE one.

[hobbyhorse]

Originally Posted by wynnj

Hope this doesn't sound too dumb a question, but what are the symptoms that that would lead one to suspect the condition of the top strut support mount and spring seat, and is it possible to check them without removing the whole strut from the car?

Thanks in advance

Assuming you mean the Mcpherson strut (as opposed to the engine top strut) the symptoms would be clonking over bumps & a strange feel to the steering. If the car has done 80k plus change the shockers as well ~ you'll be amazed at the difference

[wynnj]

Thanks for these replies.

Its a D5 s60, and yes I did mean the suspension struts, not the engine mounts.

What's the typical life of these and what causes them to wear out? A spring seat is a spring seat and there shouldn't be any movement of one part relative to another within it, should there!?

[hobbyhorse]

Originally Posted by wynnj

Thanks for these replies.

Its a D5 s60, and yes I did mean the suspension struts, not the engine mounts.

What's the typical life of these and what causes them to wear out? A spring seat is a spring seat and there shouldn't be any movement of one part relative to another within it, should there!?

I changed (last week) the front shockers & mounts on our V70 D5 to eliminate an annoying but elusive clunking sound on poor road surfaces. I would say the front shocks are completely done in at 80k. The shockers were like a couple of old bike pumps when I removed them, the ball races in the top mounts were sloppy / rough & the spring mounts were cracked (I ended up changing the rear shockers as well). The handling is transformed & it's quite an easy job to do but you will need a vernier caliper. If you're in any doubt change the lot but do have a good look at the lower wishbone bushes & droplinks as these also wear.