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.