Thanks to all who responded to my request for information about replacing strut cartridges. Per your suggestions, I separated the strut from the ball joint via the two 17mm bolts (next time, I'll wait till the World Series is over, so I can have Bonds and Salmon help wrench those suckers) and entire strut dropped out nicely. Having worked only on 240s before, I was suprised to remove the strut bearing/top spring hat and find lots of loose ball bearings. The 240 upper bearings are sealed units. I wonder if Volvo dealers buy their bearings cheap at the local bike shop, repackage and sell at Volvo, $$$ prices?
One other 200 vs. 700/900 difference is the strut bearing assembly on a 200 will spin freely when the entire strut assembly is off the car. The 700/900 won't without the weight of the car compressing the spring. When I noticed this I first thought I had reassembled the strut incorrectly - but that's just the way they're designed.
|