Last Sunday on the way to church..after going over the railroad tracks...KABOOM !!! The front stut tube/spring pearch completely let go sending the spring into my front tire. I am now having shipped up from down south a pair of used tubes and springs and ordered a new set of nitrogen strut cartriges. I never knew this was a danger spot, but if you live up here in the rustbelt, rocksalt and saltwater will puddle in the lower spring perch and rust it out just enough to weaken it. They may look OK, but feel around or tap it with a hammer. Otherwise when you hit a pothole or bump, look out. I suggest you check yours out next time you rotate your tires or do a brake job. Insurance won't cover this kind of stuff either. At least I will have some better handling struts after this.

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

Big Rich - How do you like your 16 valver? Did your 245 die or did you sell it?

After reading these posts, I will be checking my strut spring cups tonight after work - I am new to Volvos and appreciate the advance notice of things like this...

Thanks
Jay
'84 245 GLTi 217k