Just bought a 1 owner, 2009 XC90 3.2 AWD R-type. great vehicle with a complete service history! But the passenger front strut is noisy...sounds like a bad bearing. I want to replace both.

Reading up on the car, the R-type is supposed to have a "sport tuned" suspension. If this has anything to do with the struts/springs I'd like to make sure I'm putting the correct ones back in. When I search for the parts, there is no designation for R-type. Anyone have an idea if they just use the same struts as the standard AWD 3.2? Ideally I'm looking for a quick strut set up so I don't have to deal with any spring compression, as I'll be doing it myself.

Any recommendations on parts welcome.
Thanks!

 

best to start by checking for part numbers using a dealer parts web store. They can match to suspension versions. Personally I would not go with a quick strut for a sport tuned suspension as anything short of a coil over will likely be shoddy after market components. You have a few options 1) just let a shop do the struts for you who will allow you to provide the parts 2) have a shop do the strut assembling for you - again where you do the parts sourcing 3) rent a spring compressor and do the job yourself (do some YouTube research to make sure the springs are standard length and you see how the strut releases from the knuckle.

 

Thanks for the reply

Not sure what you mean by "anything short of a coil over"...complete strut assemblies essentially are coil overs. But I do agree that I do not want to put in cheapo strut assemblies.

I'm trying to understand how the R type assembly differs, if at all, from the stock 3.2 strut assembly. If it doesn't, then I can shop around a bit more.

IPD doesn't even have a designation for the R sub model, so maybe they use the same parts?

anyhow, more time on google in my future!

 

coil overs are complete assemblies where the components are their own design. Pre-assembled struts are just that - all the replacement parts are for the OEM design, then assembled as a complete unit which is installed as a single part.

 

exactly, and ideally I want the complete assembly so I can avoid labor cost associated with assembly of components and instal myself.

I searched volvo parts direct websites and spoke to a dealer parts department and they also do not have any part numbers by sub-model designation, so not helpful at all! hoping some forum knowledge can guide me.
The current failed struts are Sachs (cannot see part #) and I wonder if the springs are different between 3.2 and 3.2 R...

Thanks.

 

https://www.tascaparts.com/v-2009-vo...and-components

You can see from the parts sheet that there are different markings for the strut types and for the springs. With that said, unless you can gain access and actually find the markings you may first try calling a dealer store and have your VIN and chassis build plate info handy to see if they can tell you which parts are appropriate to the R design.

My experience has been that preassembled struts are only available for the most popular models and use mostly after market (not Genuine or OEM quality) components - so I'd be very surprised if you could find such a kit with OEM "R" components. Besides, when you buy preassembled, you are buying parts like the springs that don't typically need replacing so you can use that $$ towards having a shop do the spring compressor work for you.

 

Got under the car and found the strut part # to be Volvo 30776718, which corresponds to the "AE" designation on my production tag. This is not a "sporty" strut, so maybe the "sport" is in the spring?

Anyhow, I think I will just get new struts and swap parts over with a macpherson spring compressor.

From what I understand I'll need new:

strut kit
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/vol...2xc90strtkt2p6
mount hardware
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/vol...mount-948645x3

Everything else swaps over, correct?
Thanks!

 

After more research I figured out I have the "33" spring, which is a sportier spring.
The stock strut replacement is the Sachs 30776718, but I'm planning to instal Bilstein Touring B4 struts with OE new Sachs spring seats.

I'm between Febi and Corteco strut mounts. Any experience with quality of either of these?

Thanks!!