Hello,

Have a 2000 S80 non-turbo with 112,000 miles. Owned since new. I have replaced the front upper strut mounts more times than I can count. Any suggestions to finally solve the noise from these struts that fail after 10 to 20,000 miles?

Other than being loud when driving on bumpy roads is it ok to leave them be and not spend the $ on replacements? The tires don't seem to be wearing prematurely.

Thanks,

Tom

Are you replacing the strut mounts or the spring seats? The strut mounts are the parts with the 3 studs that bolt onto the strut tower. There is a bearing in the middle. I don't think these parts fail very often...I have never replaced mine in 153K miles.

The spring seats are the large rubber bushing that sits on top of the coil spring and are notorius for going bad (the metal collar separates from the rubber). I have replaced mine on both sides over the years. The key is to buy an orginal equipment one, not the cheaper aftermarket one. The original equipment one I replaced has lasted 80K miles so far. I made the mistake once of getting the cheaper aftermarket one and it failed in less than 20K miles.

Good luck.
--
2001 S80 2.9 (non-turbo), 150K miles

to add fuel to the "don't replace the strut mounts" fire, I just did my 1998 at 205k and I'm sure they were original, and I am sure they were fine. BUT I already bought them so I did them anyway. It would have been better to spend the money on the rubber parts instead (which I didn't stupidly) - the upper rubber washer thing and the bump stop.

Also FWIW I have conferred with a few folks and it seems like both the P2 mounts and the XC90 mounts would work fine on the P1 cars, though I don't know anyone who's actually done this and I don't know anyone who has ever seen a good reason to do it (ie: the newer parts don't seem heavier, etc).
--
1998 V70 AWD->FWD Turbo 200k+

Thanks Guys!

Tom

Get oem from the dealer, and ask for the new XC90 spring seats. They are exactly the same but heavy duty.