Strut Cartridge doesn't fit right
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From: Western CO
Strut Cartridge doesn't fit right
On my '88 245...I am changing the front strut cartridges and the new ones don't fit right.
The old ones, according to the stamped letters, in the cartridge body, the strut that was in there was a FCS 36C361. It was tight in the spindle and there is a spacer ring at the bottom of the hole and the strut had a rounded bottom.
The new one is a KYB 365006....which Autozone and Rockauto both say is the correct strut. The KYB has a flange on the bottom and it fits snuggly in the hole on the bottom of the channel in the spindle (like it should). But, when you use the nut, that came with it, you can pull the cartridge up, about 5/16"-3/8" (the nut, when tight, doesn't contact the top of the cartridge, like it should). When you use the nut from the FCS strut, it won't screw all the way down...about the same 5/16".
Has anybody seen anything like this?
I got a 3 part "Kit" from RA and it has the cartridge, mount, and shaft bellows with it...I have to return the whole thing. I did a search of the net and they are some un-happy people out there that have returned stuff to RA. It seems that they have a large re-stocking fee...which I can't find on their website.
I have ordered new mounts from Autozone. They have the bellows in=stock. I am not sure about the cartridge. My struts seem to be OK, the mounts are dry-rotted and cracked and the passenger side sounds like the mount is busted (which is what started this adventure). AND, it seems that Autozone is $8 cheaper than RA for the 3 pack...I am usually a cheap bastard and thoroughly research my buys. I don't know what scared me off from AZ, but I am regretting it now. I'll let youse guys know how the return goes, and how long it takes to get the mount. Everybody is real proud of those mounts...almost 80 bucks. The URO mount is under $20, but RA has it listed under their economy parts and I didn't want it.
OH, BTW, RA has a 30 day return policy, I was on the last day when I started the return policy.
The old ones, according to the stamped letters, in the cartridge body, the strut that was in there was a FCS 36C361. It was tight in the spindle and there is a spacer ring at the bottom of the hole and the strut had a rounded bottom.
The new one is a KYB 365006....which Autozone and Rockauto both say is the correct strut. The KYB has a flange on the bottom and it fits snuggly in the hole on the bottom of the channel in the spindle (like it should). But, when you use the nut, that came with it, you can pull the cartridge up, about 5/16"-3/8" (the nut, when tight, doesn't contact the top of the cartridge, like it should). When you use the nut from the FCS strut, it won't screw all the way down...about the same 5/16".
Has anybody seen anything like this?
I got a 3 part "Kit" from RA and it has the cartridge, mount, and shaft bellows with it...I have to return the whole thing. I did a search of the net and they are some un-happy people out there that have returned stuff to RA. It seems that they have a large re-stocking fee...which I can't find on their website.
I have ordered new mounts from Autozone. They have the bellows in=stock. I am not sure about the cartridge. My struts seem to be OK, the mounts are dry-rotted and cracked and the passenger side sounds like the mount is busted (which is what started this adventure). AND, it seems that Autozone is $8 cheaper than RA for the 3 pack...I am usually a cheap bastard and thoroughly research my buys. I don't know what scared me off from AZ, but I am regretting it now. I'll let youse guys know how the return goes, and how long it takes to get the mount. Everybody is real proud of those mounts...almost 80 bucks. The URO mount is under $20, but RA has it listed under their economy parts and I didn't want it.
OH, BTW, RA has a 30 day return policy, I was on the last day when I started the return policy.
Last edited by Stinky; Dec 27, 2020 at 07:05 PM.
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Joined: Oct 2010
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Likes: 137
Not a good idea buying vintage Volvo parts from Autozone or Rock Auto, URO, etc. Better go to IPD, FCP Euro, and other specialty retailers. I have had many encounters where those formerly mentioned ones just don't get it-their catalogs are just not detailed enough. Example: I have a '94 940 with front mounted distributor and Regina ignition, there is no way they will get me the right ignition parts, ditto for brakes as there are four possibilities and those guys will show you one and shrug.
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