340 Front suspension strut

[Ian Macaulay]

Driving the 340 this morning, huge bang from nearside front suspension and car dropped onto the wheel. The cup on the bottom of the suspension strut had rotted allowing the spring to shoot down the strut wrecking the tyre and brake hose in the process. Having checked the other side looks like going the same way so I need both struts and a pair of springs. Struts are only available from Volvo at £190 each+vat, this doesn't include the insert and the springs are no longer available. The car is a mint 340 1.4 GL with a genuine 33k miles and main dealer history. Even so, its not worth spending a fortune on so maybe I should try and source used parts. Any ideas? Also, might be worth checking your own cars for similar faults, this could have been a disaster on the motorway. Ian

[SteveP]

Common problem I believe... you can get the cups re-welded back onto the strut casing, as you can buy the suspension cups:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Volvo-340-front-s ... 0023193571

A used strut isn't a bad idea - depending on where you are in the West Midlands M Merrels of Earlswood, and Copes of Earlswood (breakers yards) both have 340's in at the moment

[ralphh85]

Driving the 340 this morning, huge bang from nearside front suspension and car dropped onto the wheel. The cup on the bottom of the suspension strut had rotted allowing the spring to shoot down the strut wrecking the tyre and brake hose in the process. Having checked the other side looks like going the same way so I need both struts and a pair of springs. Struts are only available from Volvo at £190 each+vat, this doesn't include the insert and the springs are no longer available. The car is a mint 340 1.4 GL with a genuine 33k miles and main dealer history. Even so, its not worth spending a fortune on so maybe I should try and source used parts. Any ideas? Also, might be worth checking your own cars for similar faults, this could have been a disaster on the motorway. Ian

dont pay that much, my bro got quote from partco and the Mill for shocks all round (and i think this includes front struts) for just over £200 the lot?!


Ralph

[pettaw]

The strut from Volvo will probably come with its own shock and spring. One of the reasons its so expensive. The originals had the shock all as part of the strut. Only when you come to replace the shock could you buy an insert.

[340GLT]

TBH mate you can pick up a spare strut from a scrappy for about £15 although i hve rebuilt my struts with new platforms, although the choice is yours.
Adam