hello adam,
you'll get some good replies. do-able job.

several things to consider: budget, ride, performance.
* boge is oem and good, maybe 100k minimal.
* KYB, i don't know.
* bilsteins, touring class, noticeably stiffer ride, but can handle turns with ease, lifetime guarantee, i have these on my 86 245 and i'm pleased. i can handle a full load and still have very good ride and control going 70-80 mph.

* bilsteins HD (heavy duty), top of the line performance, lifetime guarantee, very pricy but worth their cost.

there are some others shocks & struts, too.

Dave Shannon has an excellent writeup on this, but with some extra stuff like springs, ipd sway bars installed, etc.
dave's suspension mod page:
http://www.homestead.com/volvo2/suspension.html

dave's strut replacement page:
http://www.homestead.com/volvo2/240struts.html


i bought the shocks (rear) from autopartswarehouse.com for $30/ea w/ free shipping over $50, april 2004. and the rest of the parts from fcp groton. keep your receipts--lifetime warranty, but you might not need to, just ship them back if they go bad, i guess.

i didn't need spacers for my bilstein t/c struts.

buy skf brand strut mounts--oem, but now mfr'd somewhere other than sweden.

i bought 2 bellows--just simple rubber boots.

you will need a spring compressor, i had a 48 hr free loan here in houston at a parts store. also a strut tool, (ipd), torque wrench and a good tool box of tools, maybe another person to help when you drop the strut down.

be sure to read up in the archives, have a bentley manual, and torque to specs.

keep one side intact so you have a reference if you get mixed up. have plenty of jacks and jack stands. take your time.

before you start, mark where that curve band is located on top of the strut tower, and try to put it back exactly the same position when you tighten those 3 12 mm(?) bolts. if out of place,you will need to realign your car.

a couple of days job for me since it was my first time.

one other thing, i went ahead and replaced my complete front suspension, ball joints, tie rod included, all busings and installed the ipd sway bar upgrade with new poly bushings.

what a difference. rides better than my 92 245.

others will be able to add some more stuff.

regards,
byron golden
86 245
92 245