Same thing happened to me on a 1984 245, I live in Calgary, Alberta and we get a helluva winter complete with tonnes of salt. Got a used tube...popped her in and away you go.

Clean out all the drain holes. The 86-93 have better holes, from what I've seen.

It has happened to me as well, and naturally it destroyed a brand new Michelin tire.

--
1992 940 wagon, 72k
as well as others.

I hose mine out occaisionally with some moderate water hose pressure and allow to dry naturally with some 150psi air. Then I spray some of the Amsoil HD Metal Protector in the cup, this is some thick brown waxy lube coating stuff....seems to be working - no rust!
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www.fidalgo.net/~brook4

No biggy, but it is a pita.

I've had it happen to two cars, an '81 and an '83 -- and one was 200 miles away at the time.

Fortunately, I had several spare strut assemblies kicking around, so I only had to take my tools, the parts, a jack and safety stands, and I fixed the car in someone's driveway.

If you like the car and intend to keep it, then welding in new spring cups is a reasonable investment. If you expect to trade up soon, then consider tossing in a good used strut assembly, compete with spring. It really is a quick repair.

A good check for this, when examining your or another 240, is to whack the underside of the cup with a big mutha screwdriver or a small pry bar. If you break through the rusty steel, start planning for an immediate repair.

A strut from an '86 or newer 240 will have a galvanized cup.
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Don Foster (near Cape Cod, MA)

Damn. I think if it happened to me, I would have crapped my pants. Anybody ever seen that happen on a newer 240? I have a 1991 245se, and was wondering if that could ever happen to it.

kevin
--
1980 244DL, 1982 245GL, 1987 744GLE, 1991 245SE, 1996 855GLT, 2001 V70

Yeah, this is a known problem area. Volvo in fact sells a replacement spring perch that is welded onto the strut tube when your old one rusts out. Price was reasonable, IIRC.

Other solutions include a coil over conversion with adjustable lower spring mount.

Greg

Yup - happened to me when I had a 240. Sounded like a rifle bullet had hit the car, followed by a violent loss of control. Real brown trousers time.

Tip - when the new struts arrive give 'em a good clean and enlarge the drain holes in the bottom cup with a drill or file. These holes holes are too small and fill with dirt, encouraging corrosion. Then give 'em a good lick of paint and you're well away.

The really paranoid might run a bead of weld around them, but I think thats a bit o.t.t.

Regards,

Big Rich.
--
745 valver, 245 (sadly deceased) and, temporarily, some strange Peugeot turbo wheesel thingy that does 19 light years to the gallon.