I have a 1996 850 GLT with a number of problems but first things first: the rear strut on the passenger side has been gradually creating a bump where it meets the floorboard in the back and has now BURST through the floorboard and taken a chunk of the wood with it. Does anyone know what to do about this and whether it's more serious than the obvious cosmetic damage to the car?

 

time to replace the rear shock mount. there are two bolts to the chassis and the shock bolts through the center. straight forward job - the hardest part is getting the trunk liner etc out of the way.

Google: volvo 9461524

 

Is it possible the shock is still functional and the mount itself needs to be replaced? It looks like the top of the shock has burst through the mount (and the floorboard), but the shock itself appears undamaged. Obviously replacing the mount is cheaper than a new shock. Any suggestions?

 

Can't answer that from a distance. Could be a mount issue. Could be the shock seized and rammed thru the mount. This is one of those things you have to take apart to find out.

 

Also, I had a car (not a volvo) on which in a strut install the mechanic reassembled the mount wrong (how does that happen?!?) and the strut blew thru the rubber bushing at the top of the mount. I don't remember if it was a problem with the spring seat or the bump stops, but it was really stupid - dealer mechanic made the error - and I had the problem fixed at a Sears Auto Center on a Sunday while traveling, with parts from Pep Boys (Monroe kit, which worked 100% fine for a very long time thereafter). The dealer did reimburse me for the work and parts. It was not much. The sears had this contraption that hooks a strut spring while on the car and compresses it. It did not take much more time to replace the strut mounts that it would take for replacing a tire.

 

Volvo 850's don't have rear struts. FWIW


I think it's still good, to answer your later question. If it's breaking a hole in the car it would just about have to be working. But in any case you can easily determine that operating it by hand. Shocks are pretty simple.

 

Regarding the shock itself, check for any oil stains up where the piston comes out. If they have 100K+ miles you might want to replace the shocks and mounts on both sides since you need to pull out the shock to fix the mount (its only one bolt on the bottom and 2 on top plus the piston nut). I forget if the mount on the 850s have an alignment for the mount, just take a look before you remove.