I plan to change my front struts (117K on original ones, they must be dead by now). The job looks straightforward, but I would like to know what other parts are normally replaced. Let's say if I went to a dealer for thsi repair, what would they replace?
Thank you,
Yuri

Yuri,

I just did it back in June. As you said, it was fairly straight forward AFTER I looked at this website. It is a very helpful website.

http://members.shaw.ca/heeeeee/strut/

Ching-Ho Cheng
--
1995 855 NA, Bilstein Strut & Shocks, Volvo Protective Grill, K&N Filter, E-Code Lens, Alpine CD-Changer, AutoDim RearView Mirror

Ching-Ho,
What a great site, thank you! I've done this job on another car, and this is practically the same.
One question you will know the answer to: how much play is in the holes/bolt for the attaching the strut to the knuckle? I.e. how much whell alignment can be intriduced after this job? Is it possible to mark (scrath) the position of the old strut and put the new one same exact way and need NO alignment after that? This is what I did before, but not on the Volvo. I will probably use genuine Volvo or identical OEM parts. Not sure if I need to go for Bilsteins. I haev good results using stock parts so far.
Again, thank you,
Yuri

Yuri,

When I installed the Bilstein strut, it was very little play in the holes/bolt between the knuckle and strut holes. I did take my car to alignment the next day, and the alignment result did show that camber still within the spec. I didn't mark the area before taking out the old bolts and nuts. I was willing to spend $90 for the alignment to get the peace of mind.

BTW, I bought all new nuts/bolts, new bellows, and new metal plates (attached to the rubber stopper) for the job and cleaned up the ABS sensor when I was there.

Ching-Ho Cheng
--
1995 855 NA, Bilstein Strut & Shocks, Volvo Protective Grill, K&N Filter, E-Code Lens, Alpine CD-Changer, AutoDim RearView Mirror

Mr. Cheng:

Speaking of the ABS sensor, did you clean the sensor itself or the big toothed ring on the wheel which the sensor reads, or both? I have the usual 850 problem, i.e., ABS light coming on more frequently (nowadays it comes on after about 10 mins of driving), so I want to look in the front atleast before thinking of replacing the ABS computer.

yona

v855, NA, 5 spd.

I actually unscrewed the 10mm bolt and took the sensor out to clean it. I didn't clean the wheel's counterpart. The sensor was working fine before I cleaned it. It was fairly dirty.

Ching-Ho Cheng
--
1995 855 NA, Bilstein Strut & Shocks, Volvo Protective Grill, K&N Filter, E-Code Lens, Alpine CD-Changer, AutoDim RearView Mirror

Ching-Ho,
I do not mind to spend money on alignment, but so far I had bad experience with this job - always had to be redone, and results after alignment were always worse than before.

As far as hardware - my exprience with Volvo parts was that all nevessary bolts and nuts were included (Front brake rotors, control arms, rear shocks).

Should I really go for Bilsteins? I drive in NYC, the roads here are horrible, worse than in Russia, potholes are everywhere. I wonder what would work better for bad roads.

Yuri

I went to NTB in Boston, it did the work right the first time.

Only the brake rotor came with the necessary bolts. Otherwise, for strut replacement, you need to buy them seperate. I am going to replace the passenger side control arm (ball joint) soon due to a small play. There are posts in VolvoSpeed to show how to take out the control arm (ball joint). I also bought the right side engine mount and tried to replace it during the strut replacement. However, I couldn't do it due to the very limited space in that area. I am not a big/tall guy, and I couldn't loose the 17mm bolts with a 17mm open box wrench. I was thinking about the 1/2" socket and ratchet, but forget about it due to limited room. I just bought a 30" glav. pipe and a 3/8" 17mm shallow socket. I hope the 30" pipe along with the 3/8" breaker bar and the shallow socket will give me enough levege to loose the 17mm bolts.

The Bilstein strut definately give me more harder feel when going over rough road. Boston also has a lot of pot holes. I try to avoid them if I can do it. Bilstein can handle the small pot holes and rough road very well but I still don't want to go over the potholes and don't want to damage the control arm or tie rod.

Ching-Ho Cheng
--
1995 855 NA, Bilstein Strut & Shocks, Volvo Protective Grill, K&N Filter, E-Code Lens, Alpine CD-Changer, AutoDim RearView Mirror

I case you need control arms, I have both left and right, genuine Volvo, with all hardware. Bought them 6 months ago, but had them replaced under extended warranty, so I still have a set. I have not changed them myself, but this looks easy, only 3 bolts are involved.
This was the only job on my Volvo done in a shop and they managed to botch it (ripped the ball joint boots). This is why I do all I can myself.
Yuri

Yuri,

How much did you pay for them ? Did the price include the nut and bolts ?

Ching-Ho Cheng
--
1995 855 NA, Bilstein Strut & Shocks, Volvo Protective Grill, K&N Filter, E-Code Lens, Alpine CD-Changer, AutoDim RearView Mirror

Ching-Ho,
I do not remember exactly, something like $129 each. I could get generic for less, but for important parts I always go for genuine Volvo. I would take some loss, but hope not a big one. I would be happy to sell both.
My control arms failed at around 90K, but they were VERY bad, the play was scary. Anazingly, I have not felt anything - the car was handling just fine, no knocks.
See image below.
Yuri

Yuri,

Thanks for the picture. I will check the local dealer to see how much they ask for.

Ching-Ho Cheng
--
1995 855 NA, Bilstein Strut & Shocks, Volvo Protective Grill, K&N Filter, E-Code Lens, Alpine CD-Changer, AutoDim RearView Mirror

These are mail order from Borton, I should have the invoice. Local dealer prices were ridiculous, from $180 to $229 a piece.

Yuri,

Thanks for the headup.

Ching-Ho Cheng
--
1995 855 NA, Bilstein Strut & Shocks, Volvo Protective Grill, K&N Filter, E-Code Lens, Alpine CD-Changer, AutoDim RearView Mirror

if you need to contact me, e-mail blanka007@aol.com
Yuri

Yuri,

Thanks for the email address.

Ching-Ho Cheng
--
1995 855 NA, Bilstein Strut & Shocks, Volvo Protective Grill, K&N Filter, E-Code Lens, Alpine CD-Changer, AutoDim RearView Mirror