I would like to replace the front struts myself. I have and know how to use a spring compressor, but I can't even get the strut off the car! I removed 2 of the 3 bolts on top and loosened the third. Then I removed the end link, the ABS sensor wire, and the brake line from the strut. Then I removed the ONE bolt that holds the strut in its seat. The strut moved about 1/8" up out of its seat and no more. I put aerokroil on it, hammered the casting, tugged, pulled, etc. and it won't come out of its seat. Any ideas? Do I need to remove the lower control arm and the CV joint? Is this maybe not a DIY job? The car is jacked up by its frame, and I have another jack under the wheel and am manipulating it that way. It looks like the wheel has to drop down about 4" in order for the strut to come out. I'm at wits end. This is a very different than normal way to mount a strut. Thanks Volvo.

 

Your going to have to find something to pry the knuckle open.

 

Ok, that makes sense. But will the knuckle drop down far enough with the CV and control arm still attached?

 

I loosened the lower arm, removed the nut from lower ball joint and rented a ball point fork bar to drop lower arm, then job was easy. Used a bottle jack to lift lower arm back up but a small floor jack also works.

 

the lower arm will drop a few inches, I also use a bottle jack to lower the arm. I assume you removed the three top bolts and the two HD through bolts on the strut holding it to knuckle. The strut simply slides over the top of the knuckle so use a big screwdriver or socket wrench handle to separate. See the pic where the heavy duty bolts go...



Final thought is you may need to swivel and wiggle to get the strut out and press down the control arm until it bottoms out.

 

You guys are talking about an old C70, which is not the same as the new C70 at all.

 

Sorry didn't pay attention to the model year...

I happen to come across this Youtube vid on replacing a front bearing and around the 10:45 mark you'll see how the tech spreads the slot and slides the knuckle off the bottom of the strut (while its still bolted up top). Needless to say, this guy loves his torch and mallet. At least the vid shares some sense of how the parts fit.

 

Haha wow, overkill with that torch. Apparently he likes using the wrong size sockets too.

 

Hi all


once you remove the strut brace bolts then the bar then un do the 3 strut bolts leave one in place to hold.


take off the anti roll bar link and throw away.


Un-do the bottom arm bolt leaving it on by a couple of threads then using pry bar and wack the knuckle, then they come apart no need for a knuckle splitter. leaving the bolt one stops you damaging the thread.


remove the caliper and mount and tie out of the way, no need to remove.


take off the disc and un hook the abs cable.


un do the hub nut I did this then slid out the driveshaft.


remove the bolt still holding the top strut and slide out the complete unit quite heavy.


undo the bolt on the leg holding it to the knuckle mine just slid off but you can use a chisel to separate the clamp a bit.


I did this by trail and had nothing to lose saved myself a lot of cash.


cheers ian