Hello: Just wondering if anybody can share their experiences/costs involved in having the front end struts replaced. I'm not capable of doing it myself and I understand that prices will vary throughout the country. Just looking for a "general" cost comparison. It's a 2001 S60 with 82k miles. Thanks for your time.

 

Monroe replacement seems to be a good choice. Parts and labor I'd guess around $400 at a small garage.

 

It maybe more doable than you think. Are you lacking tools? Yes, when you get it out you might want to take it to a shop to get the spring swapped to the new one, but I see that part as the only "tricky" part. Once it's jacked up, there's 2 large nuts that hold the strut to the steering knuckle. Once the 2 nuts are off and the bolts taken out (wiggle the lower control arm up and down for the second bolt since it will be in tension from the spring), you basically have 3 easy to remove nuts on top inside the hood area. That's it, the whole thing should fall down (catch it). Take it to a shop to swap your new strut in. You might want to get new spring seat and strut mount since it's all taken apart.

@oragex, is $400 for 1 side or both? Does the part include spring seat and strut mount? Because $400 for 2 sides including spring seat and strut mount seems real cheap. Don't forget alignment, which is maybe another $50-80.

EDIT: Also remove 1 nut for the sta bar link before the knuckle nuts.

 

Both front sides ,but indeed without additional parts such as the top strut bearing or the spring seat. Shock absorbers are about $200 off Ebay, plus $100 each side labor, and finally some extra for the geometry, as you mention.

 

I got parts for 240 off line

 

That's about the price.

Also Meyle front struts at about $200 shipped

2 Meyle Brand Front Struts Volvo S60 S80 V70 | eBay

Add the strut bearing if it turns rough, maybe also the strut plate

The bolt on the stabilizer bar is the worst of all, stupid bolt all seized on the end ball joint

Make sure you don't touch to Stagg struts/shocks, they are terrible, on top of jacking up the suspension. Also heard a few people saying Monroe are too stiff to be comfortable.