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I checked with local Advanced Auto outlet and they have some nice spring compressors available for loan. I did order the gland nut tool from IPD, and the strut plate/bearings, and sway bar linkage kit. (actually spoke with the founder of the co. when I placed the order (his son was my volvo mechanic in Portland -pdx) and assured me that the tool is modeled after the "volvo tool")
The reason for doing the job is that I definitely have been noticing some noise in going over small bumps & making tight slow turns, and looseness in the front end not really associated with steering or the rack assy.
I got two diagnoses one from a general mechanic (bearings, struts, ball joints tie rod ends) The diagnosis from the Euro-shop (I think used to sell Volvos in Fort Wayne-Vorderman's is as follows:
"Wear in all basic suspension and steering linkage components as would be normal for this age and mileage vehicle. Suspect that the majority of the noise is coming from the swaybar mounts & endlinks, strut bearing plates and front struts. Front wheel bearings have slight amount of freeplay as well....vehicle still safe to drive at this time estimate for eliminating the noise approx $1500-$3000"
Now as I mentioned above, I'm planning on doing the struts, bearing plate, swaybar endlinks, and will be doing the bearings also.
The additional question is whether or not to go all out and do the tie rod ends and ball joints, whether to mess with the front bushings or just do the "basics"?
Also one other question, I personally made a mistake and got front struts when I intended to get rear shocks this past summer. They are essentially Boge automatics (actually Sachs advantage) struts. The OEM part. Would it be adventageous for me to upgrade to Turbo Gas or Bilstein Touring struts. (this would involve doing a return of the Boge autos to IPD and ordering one of the others?
George
1988 245 w/ M46 >235K Through 2006 Ave. >23 MPG
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