Unemployed, a new baby, $680 spent replacing the original timing belt in the V70 and the car at 140K also needs new struts, shocks, front rotors, and pads, front and rear. I'm giving away my 740 to the mother-in-law whose idea of maintenance is putting gas in it. The local mechanic wants "between $700 and $800" just for the struts and shocks. I had to go where I've never gone before. This is for those who may be in a similar situation, replacing struts that they've always left to the professionals.
The sway bar link is best disconnected from the strut by jacking the rotor high up into the well where there is no tension on it. A 16 mm wrench behind it and a 15mm socket to take the nut off, will be needed. Do this first.
The strut assembly weighs a lot with the spring compressors on it especially. I had to place big washers at the bottom of the spring compressors. This prevented the bolts of the compressors from hitting the roof of the strut well as the spring was compressed. Twice the lugs from the spring compressors got stuck in the well forcing me to loosen everything to get them out. If there's a compressor that takes up less room than these beasts rented from Discount Auto Parts and Advance Auto, let me know
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