I have a 2002 S60 with 108K miles with bad front struts. I am planning buying the Sach OEM from FCP Groton ($145 each) and doing them myself. I have replaced such things are alternators, timing belts, brake/rotors and other smaller item myself, the struts dont seem that difficult.

I found a couple of good links in this forum with detailed instructions but also advise it can be dangerous? What are the dangers, just from the compression of the spring?

Also, I was going to replace the spring seat as well, are the aftermarket seats for $12 good enough or do I need the OEM ones for $24?

Anything else I should replace at the same time?

Thanks,

Mark.

 

I have done several of these in the s80 and they are fairly simple. The only real danger is the spring, which unless you remove the main nut in the center on the top of the strut you have nothing to worry about. I would either get a quick-strut which comes with a new spring and new mounts already assembled or get the individual parts (which i highly recommend replacing the mounts and spring seat as well) and take it to a shop and pay about a half hour of labor to switch everything around. Also HIGHLY recommend an alignment at a good shop afterwords.

 

Here is a great site for DIY things just like you are asking.http://turbobil.com/SMF/index.php/topic,13.0.html

 

Thanks!

 

I have a 2002 S60 badly needing new struts. I bought a set of new struts, spring seat and bolts a couple of months ago and plan to replace them this weekend.

It seems fairly simple, why all the warnings about the spring can explode like a bullet?, if I put on a spring compressor doesn't that just keep the spring compressed until I switch out the struts?

Also, any tricks to replacing them without having to get the front end aligned?

Thanks,

Mark.

 

Oftimes the spring compressor fingers slip on the spring because of lack of friction (steel on steel). U bolts or locking pliers can prevent this.
I also suggest using the OEM spring seats because of the better quality of rubber.
Measure the camber of the wheel using a framing square and ruler and mark upper bolt mounts before disassembly for a reference point. Toe will change with a change in camber.
Ed

 

Got the struts in over the weekend. Very simple to pull out the strut assemblies, but when I tried to take them apart, after installing the spring compressor and removing the top nut I got to the cross shaped nut and had no idea how to remove. I called around and found a local auto shop swapped out the struts for 1/3 hour labor each, $72 total. Installation took about 40 minutes. Car drives great no more rattling and alignment was not affected at all.

originally I had called around town to see if anyone would swap out the parts for me if I brought them in and everyone said no as they would not install parts that were not theirs due to warranty, liability etc. I was surprised that this shop did it but it seemed like a slow day for them and a quick $72.

I was a bit nervous about the compressors I borrowed they seemed a bit flimsy, the shop had a nice press they used, very easy and secure.

Thanks all.

Next item to tackle... Brake Booster...