Hello All,

I have a '96 850 with 280,000 miles. I've had the car since new. It has never been in a collision. Recently my "bride" hit the front right wheel (passenger side) against a curb or some immovable object (I was never given a complete story) with considerable force. As a result when you hold the steering wheel dead center (or flushed with the steering wheel column) the car will drift to the left (driver's side). Two different alignment shops tried to set the alignment, but were unable. Both said they could not pull the front right wheel (passenger side) out far enough to correctly set the camber. This car does have the camber ajustment kit sold by Volvo installed on both front wheels. The alignment shops have said the strut housing is bent and needs to be pulled out. My independent mechanic has found no mechanical compents of the front suspension that are worn which might be causing this problem. I have been told I must bring my car to an autobody shop to put the car on an alignment rack and have the frame straightened.

I have also been told by another independent Volvo shop that you will never be completely successful in pulling out the strut. Instead, the strut housing can be replaced with a used one. That this is strictly a "bolt on" with a replacement solution. This shop recommended I contact Erie Vo-Vo and buy a used strut housing for the right side (passenger side).

I was under the inpression the strut housing was welded or part of the car's frame and wasn't something you could "un-bolt". If the strut housing can be replaced with used parts, that would certainly be cheaper than putting the car on a rack. These two solutions are radically different. Question is: Which one makes sense?

I thank you all in advance for your replies and advice.

Hugh