Planning on replacing front struts of my 04 XC70. Trying to decide on whether to get quick struts from ipd or kits from FCP. Thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated. I realize if I get the kit that I will have to compress and reuse springs (unless I get new springs). Thanks.

 

really depends on how handy you are and what tools you have. For the extra $200 per pair, the IPD quick struts saves you about an hour or two of labor per side. I've done my own but I own air tools and two different spring compressors. Without the tools, I'd probably spend the extra $$ and opt for the IPD kit. They uses top shelf parts (Boge/Sachs strut, IPD sourced spring, Lemforder components) which alleviates my main concern with other after-market quick struts. Just remember to inspect other components (ie sway bar end links etc) and get an alignment afterwards.