In the past several weeks, I have noticed a rumbling noise from the front end of my 1991 944T under moderately hard braking to a full stop. When the car is cold, it doesn't happen, but seems to get worse as car warms up. I have also noticed a slight "cupped" wear pattern on front tires, and false modulation of the ABS system seems to happen a bit more frequently than in the past.

Are these all symptoms of needing new struts/shocks? The car passes the "bounce" test, but I also have heard this is not a reliable test for Volvos. I have had the car for 2+ years, it has 135k miles, not sure if struts/shocks are original or not. Otherwise, car runs great. BTW, car also has new strut rod bushings (IPD urethane).

I think it is one of those things where I am too close to the problem to really see it. Kinda like when you drink nothing but Old Milwaukee beer, you don't realize how crappy it is until you have a Heineken.

If I do need new struts/shocks, my current work situation will keep me from doing this job myself, so I was also wondering if I should use a good independent import/Volvo shop, a local spring/suspension specialist (very reputable), or one of the chain places (Sears, Merchant Tire, etc.). WIfe recently lost job, and I don't want to pay more than I have to.

Stay away from chain stores... sorry if this offends anyone, but in my experience they employ the "least lower bound" of mechanical help. At best I might be tempted to get maybe just a battery or a couple of tires from a Sears (etc.), but I can generally do better at independent shops.

That said, I note that other responses suggest replacing the struts, which is probably a good thing to do if you're near or over the 100K mark. Also check (or have your mechanic check) the front suspension bushings. Worn front bushings can also lead to cupping wear on the tires, as well as create noise and directional instability.

ck pwr steering fluid rack and pinion condition stuck brake caliper warped disk/drum bad wheel brng low brk fluid yada yada good luck on employment

After 135k you probably do need new struts. Poor struts can cause tire cupping, and extra vibration could possibly affect the wheel sensors. A good value in struts is Boge Turbo Gas (www.shox.com), and you should definitely have an independent mechanic install them.

That having been said, your problem could also be a bad wheel bearing (rumbling at braking, sensor misreads) but you can jack up the wheel and test to see if it is fairly easily.