Front strut failure

[pyoorkate]

Hiya folks,

So, it appears our beloved 340 has suffered the common cup-of-rust on the strut failure (thankfully at low speed). Unfortunately it's done this at my mum's house in *Cornwall*. At this point it's a bit of a 'do we get it fixed' problem...

We really would rather keep him running and on the road, he's only got 93k miles on the clock and is ace in every other way.

I haven't yet managed to locate a parts supplier to check the price of the strut* (beyond seeing a forum post suggesting it's £190 from Volvo), and understand it's not that complex to replace, so am basically looking for a recommendation for a Volvo garage / mechanic near Liskeard (in Cornwall) and/or recommendations for where to get the strut from (and thinking I should probably do them both, whilst that side's probably worse I'd rather not have the front suspension collapse when we're driving at speed). I was going to ask a Volvo garage to go fetch, but they seem to be very sparse in Cornwall.

Essentially, depending on cost we'll possibly go ahead and get it fixed, or drag the poor benighted car back to ours in Bristol and I'll do it in my 'copious free time' (but at least we have a garage), or he'll be up for sale

Any advice'd be handy!

*Finding people who do 340 parts is always tedious.

[macplaxton]

Kate, worry not as there are a few Volvo folk down that neck of the woods. Spare parts aren't too much of a pain round these parts (V3M), just stick your wanteds in the demand section and usually someone will come up trumps. Chester's been good overall, hasn't he?

Not 6 weeks ago I completed successfully a 7-nation tour in an "unknown quantity" 1978 343 - around 2300 miles in total - with no breakdown cover, so a small failure in Cornwall isn't a biggy problem-wise...

My advice would be to get a good used strut from someone here, and get a garage local to the car to put it on. Get the car back to Brizzle and do the other one. May be someone could do both (supply & fit), or may be a strut could be sent direct to a recommended mechanic?

Good luck!

(Do save the old strut so may be a new cup can be welded on later.)

[pyoorkate]

Aye, I'm keen to save him, but deffo need recommendations for mechanics near Liskeard...

Also, suggestions for where to get a new strut from. Partco do a strut with no spring seat, and henrics do a seat with no strut. Since I trust none of the garages I've come in contact with to weld competently*, and I can't weld, so, that's kind of a bugger...I'm a bit stuck on that front.




* my practice welds the first time I tried on a scrap wing look better than the pigeon poo welds that Elite used to hold the 'repair panel' on.

[mat_91]

it is a very easy job to do, do you have any mechanical expreince and tools think you need a 13mm 15mm 19mm spanner and a ball joint splittler jack and axle stands which you could get from a local autospares/halfords i could do you a guide tonight if you want it may be dark but ill get soem flood lights on it for you fella

[T.J.]

*cough*

http://www.volvo300mania.com/forum-uk/v ... =8&t=12400

[mat_91]

*cough*http://www.volvo300mania.com/forum-uk/v ... =8&t=12400;)

nice bump hahaha

[theo2468]

im in cornwall and could help you? get the car down to st.ives and i would be happy to help!

[macplaxton]

It sounds a bit immobile to go another 50 miles (also in the other direction from Bristol). How are you fixed for struts down there Theo?

[theo2468]

It sounds a bit immobile to go another 50 miles (also in the other direction from Bristol). How are you fixed for struts down there Theo?

if they pay me ill happily go and get it, ill just chuck a space saver on and drive it back.
ive got 3 struts for one side, and one for the other side but cant remember which way round it is ha.(well thats what ive found may have some more hiding.

[Nimminz]

can't help with the fix for now, but if you keep the old strut you can get a replacement cup from 'hadrian panels' to weld on later, think they are quite cheap. Welding just takes practice

[pyoorkate]

...and a welder. While I used to have one on loan, I don't anymore

[pyoorkate]

theo2468 - sent you a PM... have you got it?

[phayth]

the same thing has just happened to me! only just got the car a drove it about 2 miles!! if any one else has a strut let me know please


p.s its passenger front i need. thanks Alex

[pyoorkate]

it is a very easy job to do, do you have any mechanical expreince and tools think you need a 13mm 15mm 19mm spanner and a ball joint splittler jack and axle stands which you could get from a local autospares/halfords i could do you a guide tonight if you want it may be dark but ill get soem flood lights on it for you fella

If you don't mind doing a guide that'd be handy. I have got the manual for the 340, but we've only just moved into our house and everything is still in boxes!

Unfortunately, theo2468 doesn't seem to be reading this thread anymore / hasn't got or hasn't replied to my PMs, so I'm currently stuck with trying to source the parts and get myself back down there with the tools. A job that's a bit more urgent as my mum's now commenting that she needs her carport back - apparently the several year old Suzuki's not enjoying being out in the cold/wet.

So does anyone know of anywhere I can get a complete strut from* (new or decent s/h)? Volvo say they don't stock them / they're obsolete now and can't get them; most parts companies don't list them; I'm just trying a classic volvo company who say they do bits for the 340... Alternatively, does anyone have recommendations for someone near Bristol to competently weld the henriks / partco parts together? I see I've now missed the s/h ones on here

Help / Advice appreciated!


* By which I mean a strut that I can go and fit, as opposed to one which needs welding first.

[Chris_C]

Try ringing Braydon Motors (http://www.braydonmotors.co.uk/) or Lakes http://www.lakes4volvo.co.uk/index.html