Hi Folks,

I just noticed one of the bolts/nuts is missing from my left strut mount. ???
I did have the front end aligned about a month ago... Do they loosen the strut mounts for alignment?

I have to look yet, but how hard is it going to be to replace?
Can I run for awhile with two if I make sure they are secure?

This is a new one to me.

Thanks for any info.

Bert

Thanks for the responses and suggestions.

I just checked and I can barely reach in above the spring and probably squeeze a bolt up through the hole, then hopefully have just enough room to get a wrench or socket on it.

I could have checked this out before posting instead of having a knee jerk reaction and calling for help... But thanks as always to the board for help in keeping my brick in action.

I've been missing a stud/nut for 4 years since my struts were replaced. The friend who did it assured me it was fine. I didn't think of putting a bolt/nut in. I'm going to do that, it will make me feel better.

Thank you for your post.

FYI: I did get a nut and bolt in, but it was an interesting chore.

There is enough room to get fingers at the stud/hole location from underneath by reaching up above the plate on top of the spring, but not enough room to actually hold a bolt and get it into place. Too tight of an "entrance way" into the area.

My solution was to drill a small hole in the threaded end of the bolt and attach a thin brass wire there with JB Weld. Next I fed some fishing line down into the stud hole from above and pulled it out into the wheel well. I tied the fishing line to a loop bent into the end of the brass wire. Then I pulled the fishing line from above, guiding the bolt along with fingers underneath and got the bolt up through the hole into position. The JB Weld held just strong enough to get the bolt in place then popped off.

The bolt head bit into the bottom of the strut mount well and I was able to torque the nut down. I could feel the strut mount compress into place, so I think it was a good move to get the NBW in.

I did have to use a US standard size bolt that was just a bit smaller than the stock metric stud size so it fit through the hole easier.

Hope that helps.

I understand your not wanting to take it back. They would just take an ordinary M8 bolt and nut, which I'm sure they'd have -- or maybe I'm wrong or they would have done so when they snapped it off.

Thing is, everyone needs feedback, thus my suggestion to take it back.

On the other hand, if it didn't just now get aligned, maybe it snapped in service. Exceeded the 90 minute/90 mile warranty. ;)
--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

"I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste."

Can't tell you to run without it, but can suggest you take it right back where you had it aligned.
--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

Hi MrNabisco,

As Art directs you to do so.

Negligent on the the part of the alignment mechanic. Sort of unsafe, also. Drive carefully on your back to the alignment mechanic.

I'll imagine you mean the array of three nuts that secure to the three studs protruding from the top of the strut mount through the inner fender, yes?



Are one or more of the three studs missing?

Do you in any away mean the strut cartridge top nut?



There is no bolt. Though mishandling can dislodge the three studs that secures the strut mount to the inner fender. The studs are pressed into the stut mount plate. It takes not much to dislodge them, even when the Volvo OEM strut mount PN 1272455 (which gives me sleepless nights) when they were good.

Hope that helps you.

Happy Windsday (all day long!)

MacDuffy's Tavern.
--
Give your brickboard.com a big thumbs up! Way up! - Roger Ebert.

"I'll imagine you mean the array of three nuts that secure to the three studs protruding from the top of the strut mount through the inner fender, yes?"

Yes, one of the studs is missing.

I've driven 300+ highway miles before noticing it, and need to make a 1200 mile trip next week.

I could take the car back to the alignment place, but to what avail? They won't have a Volvo 240 strut mount stud in stock...

The real question is, where do I get the part and how hard is it to remount?

Since time is short, I would check with your local Volvo dealer. You could also call FCP Euro, IPD and other Volvo parts aftermarket dealers in case they have one or can obtain one quickly.

Have no idea what the replacement procedure is... If you do need to remove the strut to access it, check your strut mount's condition. Since you are in there anyway it would be a good time to replace it if necessary.

Hi MrNabisco,

Wholly negligent for the alignment mechanic and the company employing them to allow this. Dishonest through and through.



Suspension articulation varies the force between the top of the strut mount to the underside of the inner fender. I dunno metric bolt sizes. You usually use a 13 mm socket to tighten these three nuts.

There is a small space. A narrow gap, between the top spring seat and the space under the strut mount. An conscionable, honest mechanic, technician, or owner / operation may be able to, realign the inner fender and strut mount holes. Then with arm out stretch, we, up stretch, pass a similarly sized bolt through the two holes and thread a nut on the top side.

The image is of 240 strut assembly with stock spring seats and spring replaced with a coilover assembly. To help you visualize what you're dealing with.



If the two remaining fasteners are secure, you may be able to, with tire removed (if short springs) or tire remaining on the ground (with longer stock springs) gain enough space to do so.

Though that who screwed it up should make it right. Else you BBB and social media disdain them.

A Midas shop once did not restore the black plastic caps that seal the strut bearing at the top. I went back and they had thrown them in the garbage. Got them back.

Questions?

Hope that helps.

Sorry for your problems.

Duffed.
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Give your brickboard.com a big thumbs up! Way up! - Roger Ebert.