Hi ALL,

So I foudn the time this past weekend to finalyl get around to installing the new upper mounts/bearings, boots and inserts on the car...

The car has an original 265K kilometers, I found that the original mount bearings were still good but installed the newer cheaper Gabriels anyway. Also to my surprose the volvo strut inserts were far from 100% gone - they did though have a loseness in one direction for 50% of the travel, so that was enough sign to justify the job. The Boge turbo gas inserts are OK, though I expected more improvement... the car is stiffer though and leansless on corners.

Here's the issue: The boots/bumpstops I installed are like the aftermarket stuff i.e. the upper bumpstop is not mounted with the metal washer, just press fitted onto the strut shaft. Anyhow, After tightening up everything, and going to the local garage so he can impact tighten the upper strut nut, I still feel like there is an occasional loseness at severe road bumps. While diving this monring, I realixed something, please tell me if this makes sense:

at the top of the strut shaft, there is a smaller diameter section that the mount bearing sits into. Also in the sits the upper spring seat, and also the washer that holds up the stock bumpstop. I now realize that I no longer have that washer sandwiched into there, given the aftermarket bumpstop/boot setup. I am thinking this this is causing a 1mm (approx) verticle play in the strut to bearing assembly. Hope my verbal description makes sense...

What do you think? I am thinking of lostening the upper strut nuts and adding the bumpstop washer (I still have them) underneath to better tighten everything.

Let me now.

BTW I did the job with the strut tubes and all hub/brake assembly still o nthe car. No issues, went well and no broken brake hoses.

Thanks!
Greg Mustang
Montreal - Ottawa
Canada