Driving today I heard a lot of suspension thudding about half way back home. This was after driving over our cratered roads of metro Detroit and then being in stop go traffic for 40-45 mins. I didnt realize the problem until I managed to hit an open road and going at 45 mph over bumps the steering felt vague and there was a lot of thudding. Pulled over and found that the front passenger side strut just broke itself away from its mounts and shot into the hood. I was only 2 miles away from home and drove home at 10 mph all way avoiding most pot holes.

1998 C70 2.3L coupe.

Attached picture shows what happened (its not my car - just a picture from goggle but shows what mine looks like).

The car 300045 miles on it. I dont want to spend a bunch of money on it. Already spent a decent bit so far.

Its got new fuel pump & filter; new front tires; new vacuum lines; new battery; new alternator; new brake pads & resurfaced rotors; new MAF, new plugs, rotor, wires, distributor; new radiator, hoses, t-stat; new steering rack; new heater core; new cabin filter and engine air filter. The headlight wipers still work. Changed all the dash lights.

The radio has a mind of its own (the CD & cassette players work fine), AC is a bit wonky needing recharge every 5-6 months, dash rattles & squeaks (havent gotten around to tearing it apart and fixing those tabs). Other than that everything is good. Engine & transmission are good so far and I still get a smile every time I drive it. Body has very minimal rust on it.

Question is - how much cost am I looking at? Is it even worth spending money keeping this car any longer?

I would appreciate everyone's advice & thoughts.

Thanks!

 

Unless the strut is bent or the bearing plate got damaged, you just need to replace the spring seat. Its about $65 from the dealer, less for an aftermarket one I'm sure.

 

How do I find if either of those are damaged?

If the cost is that low, I would definitely keep the car for a while longer.

 

Gotta take it apart and look.

The price doesn't include labor, which would be about 1.5 hours plus an alignment.

 

If you've done all those jobs you listed by yourself it isn't that bad of a repair. I did mine on both sides using IPDs heavy duty mounts, $40 each.

Volvo ipd Heavy Duty Front Upper Spring Seat 112831 8646713, 3546238, 9173203, 9461728, 30683637, 30647763 30683637HD

Here's also a good video to watch to see how it all goes together.

 

I have never actually ever worked on the suspension. I know of someone in college who had the coil spring release on him. What a mess he was for more than year.

The coil spring coming off at me is what always puts me off from doing the job myself. Plus I do most of my work in the alley way (the joys of being a college student sigh...).

The spring seats are completely gone. The struts themselves dont show any fluid seepage. I might just give it to a shop and have them give me a "complimentary" quote.

Question is: do I need to replace struts & springs also? I am hoping to get away with just the spring seats and bearing.

 

I assume you've been ignoring the crunching noise over bumps for a while?

If someone got injured by a spring, they were most likely not using the spring compressor correctly or were using a crappy one.

Labor to do both mounts and bearings would be 2.5 hours plus alignment. But the bearings don't usually go bad. However, this is a bit of a different circumstance so the one on the side that broke through may need replacement.

 

Yes and no. My brother was driving after his Focus got totaled this past winter. I guess by the time I drove it last week, the bushings had probably already fallen apart.

Yikes 3 hours labor will add up. I am just going to get a quote done to see what they say and then do all the work myself.

Now if the struts and springs look ok, is there any need to replace them? The PO had said that he changed them about 50K miles ago

 

There is no need to replace the springs unless one is broken. There is no need to replace the struts unless the one that went through the mount is bent or they are leaking. In all likelihood, you just need the spring seats.

 

Sounds good. I will post back here in the evening with what they find. Might I to harbor Freight and buy 3 spring compressors just to be safe

 

I was quoted between $430 & $590 by different shops for that one side. No thanks - I am going to do it myself. I intend to "rent" those compressors from autozone. The one's at Hb looked real flimsy. Also, I am going to get cheaper Monroe struts for now and genuine spring seats from the dealer - then save some money and do the other side within the next couple of months.

Is this going to be an issue - having only 1 side struts/seat new? I know the Monroe's wont ride as good but I cant be picky at the moment.

 

Is that price for just the mount? Or the strut and alignment as well?

Having two different struts temporarily won't be a problem.

 

That was for new strut, spring seat & mounting kit. Its a bit high dont you think?

Good to know different struts are ok short term!

 

You can usually rent a good one at most big auto parts stores!

 

I'm not sure what aftermarket parts go for, but that price could be pretty accurate. If the struts and bearings are good, why change them?

 

I agree with you but unfortunately the bearing is shot and the strut is also going bad. So might as well change them while I am in there.....

 

Oh okay, then yes, change them at the same time. Good call on not using the Harbor Freight spring conpressors. I wouldn't trust those.

 

So I got it fixed today. Found a shop that would take my parts. Charged me $200 labor and they did not mess with my alignment. So got it done a lot cheaper.

Was also told that the other side is "worn out" and the sway bar end links need replacement and that the upper engine mount is going bad.

I did hear the drivers side "thunk" over bumps and there's also a rattle while going over the bumpy roads.

Edit: Just checked sway bar end links - they seem firm. No rattle. I thought if they clunked meant that they were going out. Correct?

Question is: how do I check the other side spring seat? I tried to look at it without jacking the car and it's almost impossible to look at it.

 

You can't replace a strut without messing with the alignment.

How did you check the links?

Use a 21mm on the top nut. If it turns all the way, the mount is broken.

 

I grabbed them one at a time and gave them a hard tug. No movement and no clunk/rattle or any sound. They were very firmly in place. I had changed them about 25K miles ago - which is why I am more confident that they should not have worn out (granted that they were cheaper replacements).

I just checked the invoice - $50 out of the total was for 2 front wheel alignment. My bad.

I will check the top nut tomorrow after class.