I bought this car (S60 2.4T) in February. I had the Struts and Upper Strut mounts replaced. I replaced them with Monroe products. Now after less than 1000 miles the strut mounts have gone bad (As per my mechanic). The original mounts were flush. The new mounts protrude above the mounting area. Is this normal? Luckily the mounts and struts (Monroe) have a lifetime warranty but the labor is going to be $200 to replace the upper strut mounts. Feedback is greatly appreciated. ;-) I have attached some pictures of what I am talking about. Thanks for the input in advance.

 

Can't tell anything from pictures. When you say the mounts were replaced, so you mean the bearing assembly? Was the spring seat replaced? If not and that's what failed, it should have been replaced with the struts. They go bad WAY more often than the bearings.

 

I appreciate your timely response. The bearings were replaced. I have noticed indentations under the hood where the struts are hitting the inside of the hood. I inquired at another shop and the mechanic said it looks like the mounts might be installed upside down. One side of the car is lower than the other and one of the strut bolts is higher than the other. There is also space between the washer and the mounts. New parts are on the way.

 

I hope they're covering the labor to redo the work, that's a big oversight to mount it upside down and have the mounts hit the hood.

 

Have you ever had a mechanic admit to such a grievous error? I should think not. This is why I took the vehicle to an independent mechanic. I have a suspicion this was done purposely. I really hate to think it was, but I do. I am going to have the work done by a different mechanic. He is aware of the situation. He said he will be able to tell if the mounts are installed correctly. If not he will attest to the fact. Legal issues will follow if the install proves to be faulty. Thanks for your help and support.

 

Where are all the "dealer techs are hacks and mess up everything" people now?

I've seen indy shops replace just the bearing when doing struts many times. Then the customer comes in with a noise from blown spring seats and they have to pay me to replace them when the other shop just had them off. It comes down to them not being familiar with Volvo's and their common problems. I've probably replaced fewer than 10 bearings for failure. I've replaced hundreds of spring seats. When I do struts and/or spring seats, I don't even recommend the bearings.

 

Thank you for your input. I really appreciate it. I actually asked the question "Why do the mounts protrude?" When I took the car for repair the mounts were flush. Or there about. He did not answer. What would actually cause the struts to bottom out on the under side of the hood? Don't the mounts control the range of motion of the struts? If properly installed wouldn't the upper strut mounts stop the strut from hitting the hood? I appreciate your help and support. Thanks again. imprint of strut bottoming out on hood. space between.

 

Pics are of imprint beneath the hood and the space between the strut mount and the washer. I am pretty sure there is not supposed to be a space.

 

Nothing looks upside down. That top washer can be upside down and not cause anything. The spring seats may be torn, or the struts are wrong. They clearly are not OEM.

 

Thanks. What would explain why they hit the hood?

 

I've seen busted spring seats cause the strut to actually make a big dent in the hood.