The strut rebuild on the 86 245 went smoothly after finding the right wrench. Replacing the failed shock with the Gabriel Hijackers worked well. Using the technique described in a recent post, I replaced the shock cartridges without removing the strut from the car in 3 hours both sides. The ride with the Gabriels is excellent for $29.00 per side including shipping.

Regards,
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Will Dallas, www.willdallas.us, www.willdallas.org, www.willdallas.com 86 245 DL 205K miles, 93 940 250K miles, 88 765 GLE 149K miles, 86 244 DL 200K Miles, 88 744T 200K miles

Hi Will, I noticed your pics on the picture gallery, it looks like you made pretty good time on that job, that's cool that you found the brickboard to be of so much help.

I just wanted to warn you, though, that next time you do the job, you should support the strut housing with rope, instead of letting it hang by the brake hoses. It puts quite a bit of force on them, and that can speed the formation of cracks in those hoses.

If you look where the brake hoses connect to the inner fender, you will notice the hoses go into a bracket. There is a bolt there with a 10mm head. If you remove that bolt, then the bracket can come free, and you will be able to pull the brake lines out a little bit. Then when you lean the strut housing out, tie a rope around it to support it, I usually secure the other end of the rope to the top of the strut tower.

Hope this helps!
Greg
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asdfas

"...next time you do the job, you should support the strut housing with rope, instead of letting it hang by the brake hoses."

I noticed that too, in the Gallery pictures. And I believe the hose bracket bolt is 12mm head.

I doubt I'll ever do a pair of struts in 3 hours here in the North East. I spent about that long just on one Gland nut last week and had to give up (temporarily) due to rust.

For me, the job is usually tough enough to warrant paying more for the inserts.

Hey, I haven't seen you in a while! (probably because I don't read the RWD forum that often these days)

How have you been doing the gland nut? I did the job on my 90, and it wasn't bad, it's been a MA car all it's life. I used a large pipe wrench on that nut, and to keep the strut housing from turning, I reattached the tie rod end to the steering arm. (The whole front end was off the ground)

What do you mean, pay more for what inserts? Oh, you mean paying more and buying good ones?

Greg
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asdfas

"How have you been doing the gland nut?"
I usually do it first, while everything is attached, using a pipe wrench as you said. But this last one would not budge, even with a 30" cheater pipe in the wrench handle.

I plan to take it completely out on my next attempt, so I can used a torch without toasting the boot. I may buy IPD's new tool too, but have heard it doesn't fit thru spring coils with ratchet attached (not a problem with spring off). And some gland nuts don't have those square notches. KYB's for example are just "flats", like an 8-sided nut.

"What do you mean, pay more for what inserts? Oh, you mean paying more and buying good ones?

Exactly. IMO, these bargains remind me of Autozone's "Lifetime" guaranteed alternators and starters — for the rest of your life you'll be going back annually for the "free" replacement.
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Bruce Young
'93 940-NA (current) — 240s (one V8) — 140s — 122s — since '63.

Hi Folks,

I'm replying to the whole string. I usually use a rope to hold the strut, but did not on this one; appreciate the tip though. I had just the reverse of the tight gland nut, had one work loose! I almost lost the front end.

The Gabriel shocks are identical to the ones that came out of the car, and on the 940 were identical to the ones that had "Volvo" stamped on them, so I have no reservations about using them. Besides, Gabriel/Monroe has been an American standard longer than I have been around, and have a good reputation. Just my personal preference, so take it for what it is worth.

I just returned from flogging the 940 with the Gabriel Gas all around. 1300 miles total at 70-80mph across the Smokey Mountains and back fully loaded. The car handled like a Corvette!

Regards,
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Will Dallas, www.willdallas.us, www.willdallas.org, www.willdallas.com 86 245 DL 205K miles, 93 940 250K miles, 88 765 GLE 149K miles, 86 244 DL 200K Miles, 88 744T 200K miles

Where did you get the inserts for $29.95. Also, what did you use to remove the gland nut on top of the strut tube?

I bought the shocks from www.shockshopusa.com and I bought the offset 24/26mm wrench from WT Tool for $3.25. A standard offset will not work and I happened on this one while cruising the local store. They are online at www.wttool.com

The post for the wrench is: http://www.brickboard.com/RWD/index.htm?id=970868

This pic is a set of $9.95 spring compressors from www.cumminstools.com

Regards,
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Will Dallas, www.willdallas.us, www.willdallas.org, www.willdallas.com 86 245 DL 205K miles, 93 940 250K miles, 88 765 GLE 149K miles, 86 244 DL 200K Miles, 88 744T 200K miles

Is WT Tool a brand of tool sold in certain chain stores? Or do they have their own locations?

Hi,

Sorry to be so long, but I have been on the road for a week. WT Tool is a chain of cheap tool houses. They are also on line.

Regards,
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Will Dallas, www.willdallas.us, www.willdallas.org, www.willdallas.com 86 245 DL 205K miles, 93 940 250K miles, 88 765 GLE 149K miles, 86 244 DL 200K Miles, 88 744T 200K miles