Had a question for all of you. I have a 1985 240DL, 217,000 miles. It's a city "beater" car in Chicago. Ride is somewhat rough on choppy pavement. I have had it about two years, haven't replaced anything with the supension, although when I bought it my mechanic tightened up some things, but didn't note anything that was seriously wrong. I'd like to keep the car for a few years at least. What would you recommend for shock replacements? I have a tight budget, have looked at the IPD catalog for their offerings. Would I need to replace bushings also ? How would I know whether I would need to do that? I have no idea about the car's maintenance history in terms of the suspension. I am not interested in this being a "hot" handling car, am more interested in safety and comfort, and I don't want to dump a lot of $ into it, as I just bought a new condo that I can't afford, post-divorce! (I had no idea I would start telling my life story!) Thanks, Eric V., Chicago IL

Eric,

Any auto parts store will carry a line of decent shocks (get the Heavy Duty ones.....seem to last longer) at decent prices. If your just driving around town, with a few open road jaunts, and not into being a "road racer", just about any brand should do you well.

As far as bushings.....jack up car & put car on jack stand, remove the rear tire and take a look at the bushing. The attachment bolt should be in the center of the bushing, not on the bottom (like mine are). If your having handleing issues, check all four corners.

Under the hood, check the rubber where the top of the struts poke through the fender wells.....if rubber is cracked, time to replace.

Hope this helps.


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84, 242GLTi, 167K, 4+OD, in rehab; 89, 245 DL, 289K, M 47, daily driver; 93, 245, auto, 167K ; and other toys.

forgive me for piggybacking in your post eric!

my 1992 240 has the cracking rubber around the front struts, as seen through the engine compartment. what bushing is that? whats involved in replacing it? what are the symptoms of having it go bad? point me to an FAQ if its a common part. i don't know the name of it so i don't know where to look!

thanks!

It's the strut mount bearing bushing. It comes all in one piece as the strut mount bearing. The SKF version is $45 each from FCP. See the site below. The job to replace them is reasonably difficult, or maybe you could say it takes mid-range mechanical skill, care and patience to do it. It just requires a few steps, and care when using the necessary spring compressors so you don't injure/kill yourself. If you are doing the strut mount bearings, it would be the time to do strut inserts, strut boots and possibly strut bump stops. Get it aligned when finished. When I did mine, I read up on it a bunch of times and planned it all out. The job went smoothly. It can be difficult though so read up before you start and get others' advice. The IPD catalogue and and maybe their website, has step-by-step directions. Also check (http://www.brickboard.com/RWD/index.htm?id=769381). A BB poster said there is good info there too.

For the parts check: http://www.fcpgroton.com/volvo240shocks.htm

Good luck.
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Thanks everyone for all the help, Doug C. 81 242 Brick Off Blocks, turbo bars and wheels, M46; 86 244, B230, 150k , auto.