Quick review, new struts (Volvo=Monroe), strut bearing, mount and plate (aftermarket), control arms, ball joints and swaybar links made for a tighter ride but FAILED to fix the bowling abll like thud when hitting bumps.

Worse on right side, ok on left.

Got a new strut sent from FCP (no hassels, nice guys). Took car to a very good Volvo mechanic in Larchmont. He replaced the right-side strut and added Volvo strut mount, plate and bearing.

Result, tight AND quite. Job done. Very happy now, was considering leaving the volvo family and turning japanese.

NOW contralateral side seems loose in comparison.

Educated guess....the strut was probably OK, the non-volvo bearing etc MAY not be up to par..

Use this info as you see fit

Dr. Chip
Westchester County NY
98 V90 157K miles...."The Black Pearl"

Ok so I just bought a V90 got it home last week and it too has this clunk up front. Sounds like:

Monroe STRUT-MATE BEARING PLATE = Bad (~70)

Volvo STRUT-MATE BEARING PLATE = Good (~155.23)


I like MOOG components and I can get them for (~117) at Carparts.com. Is this a foolish idea to try to go this way?

http://wrenchead.carparts.com/servlets/WebEPC35?ns=Steering%20%26%20Suspension%20Shocks+and+Struts%201998%20VOLVO%20V90&cl=jcw-carparts35&vc=1998|84|V90|21973&grc=11019&grd=Steering%20%26%20Suspension&JCWRETURN=store.carparts.com&storeId=10401&catalogId=10101&sgc=12131



Thanks,

Will

Monroe seems to make all of the stuts for the V90. Confirmed by Volvo guy. So Monroe struts are OK

The aftermarket bearing, bushing and plate that went in 2 months ago and which failed to quiet the clunking were replaced with Volvo components.

Since I had the mechanic replace both the right-side strut and the mount yesterday, it's impossible to know which of the components was at fault.

However, the left side still has the new,albiet aftermarket, mount (and a new strut) and it is noticably sloppier.

Bottom line for me anyway is that I will stick to Volvo parts unless forced to do otherwise.

Hope this helps..

Dr. Chip
Westchester County, NY
98 V90, 157K mi.

Chip,

Thanks for getting back to us and letting us know the solution to your problem. It is appreciated.

DEWFPO
--
1998 S90 071,245 and 1995 964 154,100

My pleaure.
You guys are invaluable.
One of the best databases anywhere..

Good to hear that you got things straighten out,knew you would. Thanks for letting us know how it turned out and what the problems were-so many get the fix and you never hear back on the outcome.
Poolman

Poolman,
Thanks for all the encouragement, like all good engineers, whether they be in the auto world, or the sciences and medicine, I can't stand not solving an unknown..