Thanks for the advice, gents.

To give a bit more info, I can get three fingers side-to-side between the wheel & the underside of the arch on the LH side, but the RH side it's tricky to get two in. I can see "more" spring (at least one, if not two, extra revolutions, if that makes sense), but the cup is still at the bottom. Did notice a groaning noise from the strut over the couple of speed bumps on my round the block route, but it's been doing that for a while.

New strut?

Advice on how much I'm looking at paying would also be useful.

Thanks again!!

if I am looking at the right part ,german and swedish quote £21.00 for a new one but I would think if you are putting a new one on you should do both sides at the same time

you could see if they have a buy it now price for these



http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VOLVO-340-SERIES- ... dZViewItem

Thanks again, Mick. Going to get the car taken to a garage for someone to have a look, I think - don't want to spend money buying the wrong thing! How long do you reckon it should take to fit a new pair of front struts? And would it be worth replacing the springs at the same time?

I don't think the above link will be any use, as they'll just be the inserts. As Dai said, you either need a good used strut or the strut cup repaired.

Oh sorry , I thought the shocks and struts were sold as a complete unit

All organised - the car's going into a (different!) garage tomorrow for the diagnosis. Might have the car back by Thursday, depending on how long it takes to get the parts!!

Me again. Have some bad news.

The garage called me earlier to say that the car's failed its MOT (asked them to do it for me while it was in) on lots of welding - he's saying about £800-worth. Based on the cost of this, plus the cost of the suspension struts & fitting, it's looking to be over £1k, and I can't afford that.

A little that the garage I had the car serviced by didn't mention this 2 months ago when they looked it over for me - I mean, can you miss the inner sills & boot area needing doing when you look at a car?? - but I'm getting resigned to needing another car, unless someone can come up with a cunning plan? I'm fresh out.

We both love the car, for lots of reasons, but I can't justify spending £1000 of money I don't have to keep this one on the road...

£800 of welding?! I've had lots of work done on my car and even that didn't come close to that total. Got any pics of what needs welding?

It depends on truly how bad it is. Nessy was pretty damn rusty...they spent nearly a week on it, and it didn't cost (quite) that much. I'd suggest that unless you have a particular attachment to this car, I'd look for another. Either way, it may be worth having a back-street welder having a look at it.

In a few months time, I'd say stick it on a trailer and I'll weld it up for you..but at present it's a bit of an empty offer, as I can neither weld, nor have the facillities to do so

cheers

James

Sob! Not the Old Beast!



There must be someone on here within travelling distance who's willing & able to do a bit of welding for a more reasonable amount of cash?

you would be better off buying this

its in Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire which is only 40 minutes from Windsor

1988 VOLVO 360 GLT 5dr
Price:
£395ono.
Features: 47,000 miles BLUE 1988 Full Description: Glossary of Terms
47000 miles, blue, MoT Sept 07, power steering, r/c, s/roof, 2 private owners from new, full volvo s/history, exceptional cond, (Lib Pic). £395. ono

Trade Seller:
McDonald Cross

Contact number: (01442) 247586 or (07730) 000745

mot til September and only 47,000 on the clock for half of the cost of your welding

or this if a 1.7 will pull your caravan





1987 D Reg VOLVO 340 1.7 GL5 Doors, Manual, Hatchback, Petrol, 87,044 miles, White, MOT-04-2007, 1 Owner. Full service history, Child locks, Cloth upholstery, Head restraints, Radio/Cassette. Insurance Group:8, this car has a full volvo service history. waranted miles. finance available. more cars at this price on our web site. £500 p/x welcome. Tel: 01628 629777 £500


which is at Hawthorn Hill Service station just down the road from you on the Ascot Road in Maidenhead ( postcode SL6 3SY )

Thanks, Mick!

Probably another car time, but I don't really want to. Have to get rid of at least one of my Volvos if I'm going to get another car, though.

If you want the old car welding up I would be prepared to do it for a reasonable price. Pics would be a help.