If the rubber on the top strut mounts (around the little cup) is starting to crack should I get new strut mounts?
If yes what are the best mounts? OEM from Tasca? I've read on some old posts that it's best to stay away from Bilstiens and Monroes.
Thanks for your input.

It is your car that squeaks on low speed turns, right? The squeaks are a symptom of failing strut mounts.

If the strut mount rubber is cracked then the strut mounts are done. One 100% sure test in addition to the visual cracking is to remove the plastic cup and twist the top strut nut horizontally by hand. If the strut turns easily it is toast. You can also put a wrench on the nut and twist. That nut should twist very little or not at all.

Based on what I've read here, I always thought OEM strut mounts were the only ones to buy. Recently some people on the "board" have complained about a lack of quality with 240 OEM strut mounts. Aftermarket is supposed to be real junk so personally I'd stick with Volvo. FWIW - about 50k miles ago I replaced the struts and strut mounts on my 95 850 with Volvo OEM. No issues....

Yes, one is squeaking with turns and bumps, especially since the temps outside have dropped. I can turn that nut and the whole strut turns with it. Not easily, but it's not as stiff as you explain either.
I'll aim for the OEM.
Thanks

It's a shame that the previous owner didn't put in new strut mounts when replacing the struts. Makes sense to do the two together unless one part has low mileage on it. Sorry about the additional expense to you!

I discovered the strut mounts were bad on my 850 when I started getting the same squeaking you described so I decided to do both struts and mounts as they were the originals with around 185-190k on them.

Yeah, I would check Tasca's prices against the aftermarket dealers. I was able to get OEM struts and mounts for a pretty reasonable price from FCP Euro. You might check there and with other dealers.

Good luck!

Hi chup and jwalker,

240 strut mount Volvo PN 1272455.

Strut can fail some ways. Usually it is the bushing materials cracking in different ways or separating from the steel parts (usually from the outside metal of the bearing assembly). The strut piston with bearing assembly can push through and bank on the hood, bending the hood.

The turbobricks article to highlight the issue of Volvo OEM early failure:

Volvo OEM strut mounts .. early Failure?

http://www.turbobricks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=315522

And:

Volvo 240/260 Strut Mount Round Up ... What Strut Mounts You Use(d) 200

https://www.brickboard.com/RWD/volvo/1559747/220/240/260/280/volvo_240260_strut_mount_round_mounts_used.html


FCPEURO OEM strut mount failure after only 10 months 200 1988
joekidd on Tue Jul 12 13:32 CST 2016

https://www.brickboard.com/RWD/volvo/1634860/220/240/260/280/fcpeuro_oem_strut_mount_failure_10_months.html



A solution is the camber plates from Kaplhenke as Offset Spherical Strut Mounts.

APA / URO strut mounts lasted from 2000 to 2012 / 2013 and replaced with Volvo OEM.

On another 240 went Meyle as an FCP Groton sales guy recommended in 2008 or so, well, I had to replace them with Volvo OEM in 2012 or 2013.

These OEM strut mounts I bought in 2012 / 2013 were the same design and manufacture as you had in the 1970s and late-late 1980s+. Open to the top ball bearing race you would stuff some grease into and reinstall that black plastic dust cap that seals out dirt and weather. (I use silicon grease (SuperLube!)

I must have gotten the last few good ones. See the dates of the article URLS, above.

After market strut mounts use a sealed bearing crimped into the center bearing shell assembly. Sealed bearings they use don't take lateral stress too well.



To find SuperLube, See:
http://www.super-lube.com/authorized-domestic-distributors-ezp-327.html

Silicon grease does not eat the rubber bushing material.


Happy 'merikan illusion is choice primary election tuesday. Like Volvo 240 rubber strut mounts.

This is all very disappointing; the strut mounts and this sham election.



Hope that helps.

MacDuffed.
--
Give your brickboard.com a big thumbs up! Way up! - Roger Ebert.