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Mr. Detail,
I am in the same boat, and have been patient for a while now.
Check out the link here (http://members.shaw.ca/heeeeee/strut/)
Bay 13 has been a phenominal help, but when it came to the struts, I found no better step by step instructions and images than the ones at that link.
HOWEVER, on his first page, he got a couple of part numbers transversed on the nuts, bolts (I have listed the correct info below).
If nothing else, his site gives a really clear picture of what is involved, and what to anticipate in the real-life look to each part.
For a worry-free job, you will need to replace the following;
Strut Assemblies (2)
Strut Mounts (2)
Spring Seats (2)
Strut Mount Bolts (for inside engine compartment)(6 of #948645)
Strut Bolts(for inside wheel well)(4 of #965194)
Strut Nuts (for inside wheel well)(4 of #971099)
Sway Bar Links (2)
FCP Groton is the definitive link for the best prices (except for the Volvo Brand Sway Bar Links) - and I have been watching for a while. FCP posts the image I linked here, and also carries the spring seats, mounts, nuts and bolts. Unfortunately "NewAndUsedVolvoParts.com" went out of business - they had these Bilsteins @ $77 ea... Guess I can figure WHY they are out of business.
Frankly, the guy who put together that illustration site said he spent about 40% of his time dealing with the Sway Bar Links (he notes removal and installation as both being pains in the !@#$%^&*.... As many miles as mine have on them - I just decided to get new ones which it probably needs or will soon and save myself the headache.
After extensive reading on this subject, I am convinced of the following (although some may not totally agree). Bilstein Touring Class Struts. Volvo OEM Spring Seats. Volvo OEM Nuts & Bolts. Volvo OEM Sway Bar Links (eEuroparts.com - http://www.eeuroparts.com/(rwtc1xny4jh3keffy34s3n45)/productdetail.aspx?searchResults=1&code=5777
I have read many posts where purchasers of other brand struts, or even the Bilstein HDs have been very disapointed. I have also read many posts where purchasers of Scan Tech and other Spring Seats have been back in replacing them after a year or less. To be sure, the Spring Seats on these go quickly, but at least the Volvo OEMs seem to last 2 to 4 times as long as the Scan Tech's. Same thing on the Sway Bar Links as the Spring Seats. Difference is that if you decide to save a whopping $10 on the Sway Bar Links and have to replace them again in a year, access is really easy. I just spent the $10 and was done with it (BTW the purchase of Sway Bar Links at eEuroparts just qualifies for the free shipping by like 80 cents, so if you need little things like filters, or plugs, you can throw those on for a couple more bucks).
Fact is that I probably could have replaced my Spring Seats alone and been good, but as long as I am getting in there at 120k, I decided not to chance it.
Cheers
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1995 850T Wagon 120k
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