Hey guys, since there isn't much of any repair manuals out there. has anyone ever replaced their own front struts on the 2nd gen s40s? I loosened/removed one knuckle bolt that runs through the rear-bottom of the strut assembly. But the thing wont budge out of the seat, even after removing the 3 nuts connecting the upper strut mount.

Do you need to disconnect the cv boot/tie rod too?

TIA

 

You have to spread it out a little bit, there is a special tool we use that looks like a "L" that has a flat end on the short side and it fit in where the gap is where you took out the bolt and you just turn it and it will fall out. You can try wedging something in there and try to spread it, just a little.

 

You have not one but two bolt at the bottom end one at the midle which is to hold the connection rod and the 3 on the top.Once you taken out all the bolts the strut will slide right off no tool is necessary just tilt it back and forth a couple of times.

 

Thanks both. Conflicting advice though. Are you sure this diagram is for a second generation s40? My replacement strut assembly does not have two knuckle bolts like that.... it has more of a hook/notch pointing inward toward the vehicle.

 

Noticed that didnt you. Well I dont know how much his got to do with volvos but hes more like a focus guy and it seems hes a virtual mechanic of some sort.No offense of course.
The picture is of a PH2 front strut and the PH1 also has two screw at the bottom as you can see it on here.The difference between the two is the top hat and the PH2 needs a longer droplink.If the part doesnt look like any of these then you got a wrong part.Who made the strut and whats the model number?

PH1 S40 front strut:

 

Well thanks for the advice. I did finally figure it out. the collar needed to be spread open more... it was very stubborn. I may not have had any 'special' tools, but the leverage that you can get out of a crowbar is magical

 

GerBeGurGya (or others)

Any chance you have a diagram showing how to mount the hardware onto a rear strut for a 2000 S40? Springs are compressed but I still can't get the nut onto the tip of the threaded piston. Not enough thread is showing. I think I may have re-assembed something incorrectly.

 

Was this diagram from the other thread not detailed enough?

 

I believe GerBeGurGya's diagram was for the 2001-2004 Phase 2 and your car is 2004.5+ (newer style). I did replace struts on my '02 S40 but have not done mine on my '05 yet but I know what you are talking about. I am glad you got the solution.
Stan