Volvo RWD 200 Forum

I just bought a beautiful 1985 240 turbo wagon. It need tires. I wanted to make sure that the supension was in good shape before I had it allingned. I was told that I should do the inner tie rods and the strut bushings. I think I can do the strut bushings, but wondering if I can make using spring compressers safer by useing two sets at once. (Ie have four compressors on the spring.) If not, maybe I should just pay the extra money.

I am not sure why it has become quasi-legendary that it is sooooo dangerous to work on struts. I have never found it to be life threatening. It is certainly less dangerous than taking your car out on the roadways. Position the spring compressors correctly and crank them down sensibly and there is no problem. Having the car on a jack is far more dangerous to your extremities.

Ditto/Amen!

The long axis of the spring shouldn't point *at* you. Don't get the el-cheapo spring compressor. Get a good one, and take good care of it (I grease the threads for every use)... and you should be fine.

Besides... if it was *that* dangerous, I'd argue that it's somewhat selfish to ask another person to risk personal injury just to fix your car. :-)

-Ryan
--

Athens, Ohio
1987 245 DL 314k, Dog-mobile
1990 245 DL 134k M47, E-codes, GT Sway Bars, GT Braces, Draco Wheels
1991 745 GL 300k, Regina, 23/21mm Turbo Sway Bars

I think it is fairly straightforward work to use spring compressors, but there are a couple of key things that make using them safer. 1. Bring both sides of the spring fairly evenly. 2. Don't handle the compressed spring assembly roughly. 3. Take your time and think about what you are doing. As an ex tool truck driver going to different shops for a couple of years, by far the most frequent total work days missed cause was spring compressor related injuries, right behind "Monday morning brown bottle flu"! So, just be careful. I don't think there is room on most Volvo sized springs for more than two compressors.

1) Loosen nut on the top of the strut while it is still in situ
2) Put 2 spring compressors on and tighten a bit. You don't need to tighten them very much because the spring is already compressed by the weight of the car
3) Undo the 3 securing bolts on top of the turret
4) Support the car and lower the suspension slowly until the rubber sealant breaks free inside the turret. Let the suspension hang as low as possible.
5) Undo the large nut and withdraw the bearing assembly.


There are people who do it entirely with metal clamps, not compressors. I think that really might be dangerous, as well as possibly not giving enough compression to get access to the top mounting.