I just got everything in my signature. Trying to assemble the struts and my spring seats wont go onto the struts. The id of the seats measures .625 which is the same as the struts (OD, .625) . the originals measure like .650 and just slip on and off. Are the new ones supposed to be this tight?

Thanks

 

where did you get the spring seats from?

 

got them from rockauto. They are the mevotech MP903978.

 

I don't remember having any problems putting mine on. Sounds like you got the wrong size to me. I used Genuine Volvo XC90 Spring Seats when I did mine the last time. They are tougher than the 850 ones, fit perfect and last longer. Spring seats are what wears out the fastest on these cars, so you want good ones.

 

yea. I just checked with oreillys there part measures .620! even smaller. No way thats going on.
Called volvo here and the 850 and XC90 were the same part numbers and measured .660!!!!!!!!!!!! .035" clearance. wht the heck is up with these aftermarket companies?

 

I ran the MP903978 at rock auto and I don't see it coming up?

Just curious, did you physically measure the spring seat at OReilly or did you call and have them measure it over the phone? Not sure I'd trust someone else to be twenty to thirty five thousands accurate.

Did you think to measure the old strut to see what diameter it is in case your new struts happen to be a bit bigger?

I'm curious because I have struts, seats and mounts laying on the floor ready for a free weekend myself.

 

Yes the struts of the OEM and the bilsteins measure .625. I checked with Moog and they sent me the print for their mount and it is 16.62mm (0.654"). Exactly what the OEM off the car measured. So this must be a mistake on the behalf of Mevotech. I will surely not look at any more of their parts.

 

FYI to all!!! Get the ones from Volvo. My lady pricematched me so 40.19 a piece. And they are beefier than the originals. I scaled them and the Mevotech part was 1.06 lbs while the Volvo was 1.39 lbs. 31% more material.

 

That's what I was getting at; need to be careful w/aftmkt suspension parts for these cars.

When it comes to the front upper spring seats, you want to go with OEM XC90 parts (like Jim said) or the HD ones from IPD.

 

They only make one design now. Its the same part number for 850's and XC90. The original has been phased out. I looked at IPD and they dont really look that great. I could have developed a much better product. I dont know why the part is not made with a steel backing for the seat with a integral bushing. It would last forever.