Yuck - strut bearing making noise
 

Well the strut bearing on my wifes 2002 S60 is making noise. I am not a fan of struts. I could change the front shocks on my Jaguar and all my other cars with shocks in no time and there was no possibility of having a spring remove my head. I've heard far too many horror stories, coming from seasoned professionals about the compressed spring coming out of the keeper and becoming a bouncing rocket.

I've done everything to cars except the struts, I am normally willing to pay someone to do the job. I think am looking for some support saying that if you can replace an engine, you can do the struts.

I'll go OEM because the difference in price isn't that much.

I applied some grease to the top area, sound goes away but in a day or so that grease is gone and back to the noise.

With the right tools it's not that big of a deal. IPD has both the spring compressors (though those are really universal) and the top nut wrench and socket. Just like any other job, take your time and don't rush.

Those seasoned professionals were likely rushing and not setting the tool up correctly. I've never had even a close call, let alone had one go flying.

And if you're just doing the bearing plate, you don't even have to worry about the springs.

Thanks.

I didn't know that the spring could stay intact. I tried to see a video and I thought the guy had to remove the top nut to remove the bearing plate because it was part of the strut assembly. But that video was not on a Volvo and perhaps there are different arrangements on different cars.

No spring compression. Well that makes it a much easier job! :D

IPD does have the compressor setup I guess I should have one. Spring compression / strut stuff is probably the only thing I've never tackled on a car. Well I take that back....never removed the rear and axle asemlby. I have a Subaru that I need to replace the gas tank and you need to drop the rear / axles to remove the tank.

On a Volvo, the 21mm nut holds the bearing plate. Then under that there is a cross nut holding the spring seat, which is under spring tension.

If you have it all apart, I would advise replacing the spring seats anyway. They are common to break. But again, that would require compression of the spring.