Just noticed that another common part for my V90 is NLA (same goes for 95+ 960s): front strut 271911. This time you can really feel the pinch: this is a basic periodic maintenance part, so once it wears out, it's gone... As far as I can tell, Monroe was, and has been for some time, the only manufacturer of post-95 960 shocks, the OEM Sachs had stopped making them a while ago. To my knowledge, there is no aftermarket replacement on the market right now (Monroe shocks used to be sold as Monroe and Pro Parts as well). Seems like a distribution problem; it's odd indeed, I can buy a KYB front strut for a '88 Saab 9000 (how many of them are still running, and where is Saab anyway), but not for my '98 Volvo... Another instance is a California spec catalytic converter: I was able to get an aftermarket one for my 940, while the 960 one just doesn't seem to be out there. Well, I guess when the time comes, we'll see. Maybe somebody will come around and start producing/distributing them, or else this could be the time to let go...

--
'98 965

I have spent may hours on the phone as well as internet searches for struts for my 1996 Volvo 960 sedan. No luck. Is it worth searching salvage yards?

Dear Pete,

Hope you're well. At the following link: https://www.eeuroparts.com/Parts/175153/Strut-Assembly-Front-72431911/ , the part is mentioned as being "63 days overdue". This suggests that eeuroparts.com will - eventually - get this item. For, if no supply were expected, I'd guess they'd remove the part from their inventory.

You might want to contact them - or Proparts (Sweden) - to see if there are parts in the pipeline. If so, place an order, so that when supplies arrive, you'll be sure to get what You need.

Given the difficulty of sourcing this part, it might be smart to buy a second set.

Hope this helps.

Yours faithfully,

Spook

eeuroparts now has 30 struts in stock.

http://www.skandix.de/en/spare-parts/suspension-steering/shock-absorbing/shock-absorber/shock-absorber-front-axle-oil-pressure/1015255/

Dear Blindboy,

Hope you're well. Unless I misread the skandix.de page, the part is not available there, as they show the Volvo unit, which is "no longer available". The Proparts item is available from www.eeuroparts.com, via the link I provided.

Hope this helps.

Yours faithfully,

Spook

Dear vp865,

Hope you're well. I believe www.europarts.com has the front strut units you need. These are made by (or for) Proparts, a Sweden-based aftermarket parts supplier. See: https://www.eeuroparts.com/Parts/175153/Strut-Assembly-Front-72431911/ .

As this could be a limited production run - and this is a mission-critical part - I'd buy a spare set and store them in a cool, dry place.

Hope this helps.

Yours faithfully,

Spook

front struts not shocks are still available,google them

Yeah, I ended up putting Gabriels on the back of my 960 in 2016, Monroes were not available, I got the last two Gabriels Rock Auto had.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Volvo-Strut-Assembly-Front-72431911-271911-960-S90-V90/122981617134?epid=15011646964&hash=item1ca2468dee:g:e44AAOSwycxaju-P&vxp=mtr

Dear Blindboy,

Hope you're well. The link I provided to the www.europarts.com website shows a price $30 less than is shown on the e-bay link. I'm not sure why this is so.

Hope this helps.

Yours faithfully,

Spook

I researched this a few weeks ago and got a lead from Shockwarehouse.com (no relationship with them). The Monroe 71520 is from Mexico as per an email reply.

For a 1998 S90: (same as my '97)

https://www.shockwarehouse.com/index.cfm?mode=results&selected_model=4542&selected_year=1998

My import service shop could not obtain OE but got two front ones from the Pearson/Pierson brand. However, I am wondering if I just misheard "Macpherson" since Google didn't turn up anything promising.

Check the Monroe website. I was searching around for rear shocks for my early '97 which are NLA from Monroe, but they listed front struts. I called Monroe and was told they had front struts, but no rear shocks. I finally found rear shocks (Monroe) from a supplier who had exactly two left. If any one else needs the rear shocks, Walmart's website say they have exactly two Monroe 5979.

Dear vp965,

Hope you're well. Check www.tascaparts.com. The site allowed me to add this part (Volvo #271911) to my cart. I did not proceed to check-out, so it is possible that the part cannot actually be ordered.

Further, ProParts Sweden might still supply this part, which is "backordered" on www.fcpeuro.com . You might contact ProParts via their website (http://www.proparts.se ), to see if they still supply this part.

According to Volvo VADIS - a superseded dealer parts/service database - the strut insert is not separately available.

Hope this helps.

Yours faithfully,

Spook

I checked tascaparts.com and myswedishparts.com, and called both -- Volvo no longer carries the part so they are not able to obtain it. Perhaps Pro Parts will get some new stock, one site lists them as "Made in Taiwan" for about $65 (not in stock at this time), I believe the old ones were "Made in Spain" by Monroe. My current ones will hold for a while so I guess I'll wait.
--
'98 965

I bought my Monroe struts for my 96 960 last year from Rock Auto, at a very good price, but I just checked their stock, and they are out.

I have 2 NOS OE Volvo ones if you need them.

$150.00 for each strut plus shipping.
--
Eric
Hi Performance Automotive Service (formerly OVO or Old Volvos Only)
Torrance, CA 90502
hiperformanceautoservice.com or oldvolvosonly.com

It looks like there are still options out there. Unsure of the quality. My last set from Fcp was genuine Volvo. AFAIK, Volvo was made by Monroe.


https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/monroe-oespectrum-strut-71520/19710652-p?c3ch=PLA&c3nid=19710652-P&c3apidt=27668008413&gclid=CjwKCAjwhOvPBRBxEiwAx2nhLj6fMwUj3oT_83ntdoHfqgtX5jbEc8_1BTiiIbx95n_P8Fskdnf4DxoC3xYQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Or you could just replace the insert, unless your strut body is trashed.

Can this be done on a post-95 960? I know the old version came as inserts, it seemed that the newer one was unibody
--
'98 965

I bought some from fcp euro last year.