I have a 1984 240 that needs strut spacers for the front shocks - as the Strut Spacers - #1229423 are no longer available.

240turbo.com / DaveBarton.com recommends trying steel shims of like size. He writes:

"Since the factory Volvo spacers are no longer available, an option will be to try to find a used set. If that's not possible, a simple substitute could be used.
Spring steel shims with an outside diameter of 45 mm combined to a thickness of close to 3.8 mm should work. Try these 45 mm OD spring steel shims from McMaster Carr, available in multiple thicknesses.

1 mm Shims: https://www.mcmaster.com/98055A346/
or 2 mm Shims: https://www.mcmaster.com/98055A598055

Q1: I'm not a mechanic, but might these work?

Q2: Shouldn't there have been some strut spacers from the old inserts that could have been used?

Thank you in advance. Frustrating to drive with that rattling noise up front.

P.S. The Dave Barton sites are awesome for hard to find and aftermarket items.

 

the strut spacer is simply a metal ring that ensures the correct length and centering of the strut within the overall assembly. That said, its not a wear item so you should be able to recover and reuse during the rebuild. Otherwise, making up your own shims should work. Sounds like Dave Barton is saving you a trip to the hardware store by recommending something of the correct size to fit.

 

So you're saying my mechanic could have reused the strut spacers from the old strut?

Dave Bartons sites a real find, I only knew about IPD.

The Prancing Moose is fun!

Thank you!

 

Voluparts.com in Atlanta has new ones in stock 404-352-3402

And yes they are reusable if installed originally.