HELP!

So I'm under the car grinding away body rust, painting and undercoating in preparation for the up comming salt and rust season this winter when I see my driver's side front strut. The freaking lower spring cup steel is flaking like a Grands Buttermilk Biscuit hot from the oven. It looks as if it could tenson unload at any time. Did I mention my wife hates this car and looks for any reason to prompt me to sell it? Did I also mention this is my 126 mile a day commuter?

Well, I start calling auto parts stores - no luck. I then start calling Volvo dealers - three different deler parts guys say things like "Oh Sh8T" or "No Way" or "Jesus H..." when they see that their employer wants $500 for a single front strut. It appears that the spring seat is not sold as a stand alone item and that the only option from them is a healthy conjugal visit to their cashier's cage. (BTW - don't even ask about financing a part - even if you are joking - that brought some chuckles)

So, anybody else solve this problem? I'm not very close to a salvage yard. To get to one may mean a day away from my brand new job. So, lend an old brickster your best advice.

PS - I'm an hour North of KCMO.

Anybody else get the sense that the dealers wish the old Volvo guys that sqeeze the life out of our cars (Which they just love to mention in their ads) are just considered a nusiance? I get the feeling that unless I'm there to buy an XC90 for cash with my life partner Mitch and our Pommeranian Leo, that they could give a flying um....gosh darn. I'm supprised they don't have a 240-740 owner's entrance and drinking fountain around back so the real customers don't see us unwashed types. Do I come off a bit pissed in this post? Well then that would be an accurate read. :)
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1985 244GL - St. Joseph, Missouri