I've been thinking about rebuilding the front end on my 93 245. Seems loose and kind of crashy on certain rougher roads. I'm interested in the collective wisdom regarding struts. I've used Monroe SensaTraks before for other vehicles (non-volvo)and liked them. Anyone have comments regarding their use. I'm looking to restore the front to essentially original ride, but firm. Definately not harsh, but good and firm. When it comes to rear shocks, I like the better of the gas charged shocks, not the bottom of the gas charged line, but ones that hold their own when out of the car, the kind that are difficult to keep collapsed during installation so that the pressure is always on. I do not like hydraulic shocks, that's way to mushy. The KYB Gas adjusts in the rear have been fine. A bit firmer would be nice, but not dramatically so.

Sure would appreciate your opinions and have a great weekend!

Sincerely,

JBeechcraft

I have used Monroe shocks lots of time on customer cars, and have always liked them.

Boge Turbos have given me the best combo of performance and ride. Plus, they're fairly economical.

KYBs are too harsh for me and make everything in the interior of the car rattle...as if it wasn't rattle-prone enough already.

Bilstein HDs are just way to stiff and eclipse the KYBs. Good for an racetrack but bad for everyday driving on pock-marked roads. Feels like the whole car is going to rattle itself apart.

Gabriel struts/shocks gave okay ride for first 1000 miles, then kinda fell apart as they say and became very floaty with little control. Waste of money.

Just my 2 cents.

Big Bird

My mechanic says that everyone who has used Monroes on their volvo have found that the ride is much too harsh "rides like a truck." I replaced mine with Boge and they have been fine, a bit better than OEM. If you liked the KYB they make several a couple of models that you would like.

Mike
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Mike Brown Greenville, NC 1996 965 105K 1994 940 135K 1986 244 137K

I replaced many of the wear components on my son's 81 suspension a couple of months ago. Bushings seemed good so were left, but shocks and strut inserts, upper strut mounts, BJ's and TR ends, and one inner TR were all done. Oh, and a set of IPD 25/22 sway bars. Big difference in handling!

The steering is now fairly precise and tight, but new wheel bearings are needed to eliminate that last little bit of slop. Cornering is flat, as one would expect with the fat sway bars. The damping and ride comfort are good with the Boge TurboGas struts and shocks. Got those from IPD on sale, and they fit perfectly. There have been postings here about the Bil TC shocks being a poor fit and giving clunking noises on the 240's. Maybe Bil have fixed this with their current inventory. If you put Bil HD's on an old 240 - that's half the value of the car! And some have found them harsh on typical urban road surfaces.

A number of serious criticisms have been posted here about the durability of the Monroe and Gabriel products. I'd stay with Sachs/Boge (same company now, it seems).
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Bob (son's 81-244GL B21F, dtr's 83-244DL B23F, 'my' 94-944 B230FD; plus grocery-getter Dodge minivan, hobbycar MGB, and numerous old motorcycles)

I've tried many over the years. IMHO Boge are a good value, a little better than oem. KYB are very good but a little harsh. Bilstein HD are the best. Great control but not harsh. If KYB is not too firm for you, you would love Bilstein. Of course, then there is the question of price!

Skip
'93 850GLT
'83 242TI Flathood

Bilstein all the way..Like night and day difference.. But then again I do not know exactly what you consider as harsh.. I love the really firm handeling. I installed the front struts and rear shocks along with a set of Turbo rims and slightly wider tires.. Handles like a go-cart ....