So I went with Boge/Sachs Automatic (hydraulic) shocks in the back.. What about the struts in front? I know the OEM was MacPherson, but was that gas filled? Or hydraulic?.. Should I keep it Boge all the way around?

What's anyone's thoughts on this? I would assume OEM Volvo struts might be way too expensive to consider, even if they are Macs..

Uncle Bork! Bork! Bork!,

Should match your struts and shocks all around. So, the Boge/Sachs Automatics are best on the front.

I have Bilstein Touring (not HD) on my wee green 1992 240 GL beastie. The wee green beastie came with the Boge Automatics on the rear (like you!). Mind you, all new bushings in the front including strut mounts. Added a 23 mm front turbo 240 stabilizer bar and rear 1991 240 wagon springs.

Bilstein Touring is a little stiffer than the Boge Automatics. Though these Bilstein Touring have sure gone kind of soft versus some months after installation last year.

The Boge Automatics are a gas charged dampener. They are not purely hydraulic.

Hope that hep kats.

cheers,

MacDuff.
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MacDuff was here.

Hi,

The current (at least 6 months ago) front strut you will get from Volvo (mine came from Tasca-Volvo) are made by Monroe in Spain and are about $40 each. They are normal struts like your rear Sachs Automatic. Not gas charged like KYB Gas-a-just, Boge/Sach Turbo Gas or Super Touring. Mine are still sitting in the box, awaiting my wife's 92 245.

In my 90 244 I have Sachs Super Touring in the front and KYB Gas-A-Just in the rear. The Sachs set seem to be holding up (only had them in 2 years so far) which they should, since I am a real grandpa at the wheel.

If I had to do it over (my 90 244) I would probably just save about $20 each and put in the Volvo/Monroe struts, as the Sachs Super Touring were about $60 each.

Travis

I hear you. I had Monroe shocks on my 83 242 and they were pretty solid. I only kept the car a year or so after that, but they held up. Nice too. The only thing is changing shuts isn't as fun/easy as shocks. I'd only like to do it once, but I'm sure depending on how long the car lasts, 1 or 2 times more might happen.

I guess there's no "magic" strut... If there were, we'd all have them. Maybe some suspension upgrades will lengthen their life? Like those IPD Sway bars, or GT strut tower bars or lower chassis ties. Just hypothesizing here.

Macpherson refers to a design, not a brand of strut cartridge/insert/shock. The originals were likely Boge.

Sachs Advantage is a good quality strut cartridge, and will match what you put on the rear.