Strut top mounts question

[SKIDMARKS]

Gathering costs to replace all my dampers / drop links / arb's and bottom engine stab bar. Is it worth doing the top mounts at the same time ?
Then a set of tires and wheel refurb :slap:

[Flatout Phil]

Gathering costs to replace all my dampers / drop links / arb's and bottom engine stab bar. Is it worth doing the top mounts at the same time ?
Then a set of tires and wheel refurb :slap:

It is a bit of a piece of string question. If the top rubbers are no longer stopping the shocks from rotating when you twist them yes. The actual bearing part I doubt if it is worth bothering. New wishbones from Volvo, would not suggest Powerflex as I have been seriously unimpressed. I would use Volvo droplinks as IPD have iffy longevity - yes, they are about the same price and stiffer, but they don't seem to last in our climate. IPD front and rear ARB for definite - of all the mods, this is the best. Don't go mad on upgrading dampers, I use Bilstein B4 at the front which are about £50 from EuroCarParts - and use Nivomats at the back at present. The IPD will stiffen the car A LOT so don't go for hard damping as well. I continue to be happy with my Vredestein 215/40/17 Ultrac Sessanta from Tyremen.

[LeeT5]

Gathering costs to replace all my dampers / drop links / arb's and bottom engine stab bar. Is it worth doing the top mounts at the same time ?
Then a set of tires and wheel refurb :slap:

If you don't replace the strut top mounts when replacing the shocks then your a fool! It would be like replacing the clutch but not the slave cylinder. These are only rubber and they wear out in time just like any other suspension component...especially the fronts. They are comparitively cheap and can be bought from PFV for only £23 each. Don't bother with the IPD 'uprated' ones...you won't notice any difference other than a bigger hole in you wallet. A standard set of strut top mounts last 100k easily without noticeably cracking.

[Flatout Phil]

If you don't replace the strut top mounts when replacing the shocks then your a fool! These are only rubber and they wear out in time just like any other suspension component...especially the fronts. They are comparitively cheap and can be bought from PFV for only £23 each. Don't bother with the IPD 'uprated' ones...you won't notice any difference other than a bigger hole in you wallet. A standard set of strut top mounts last 100k easily without noticeably cracking.

There is a post from here from Rufe in the last few days showing that his Volvo topmount rubbers were about the same price all in as the Scantech ones - so get them from him.
Agree that IPD mounts are probably over-egging the pudding.

[SKIDMARKS]

Thanks for the info. Very in depth btw. Can you buy IPD here ? as I guess they won't be cheap postage and the customs costs from the States as they weigh 30 odd kg's

[LeeT5]

Thanks for the info. Very in depth btw. Can you buy IPD here ? as I guess they won't be cheap postage and the customs costs from the States as they weigh 30 odd kg's

You can buy IPD top hats from PFV at £48 each. Like i said, don't bother. They are a rip off and you won't notice any difference. They also won't last any longer than oe or PFV ones for £23. They are no different from IPD HD drop links...which are slightly stiffer than oe but fall apart very quickly because they are so stiff. OE links last 50 - 60k easily and only cost about £20 each. I really don't see the harm in just fitting oe. Let's face it, they don't exactly break the bank do they?

[SKIDMARKS]

Have sent off for a price from rufe so hope it comes back reasonable

[Flatout Phil]

Thanks for the info. Very in depth btw. Can you buy IPD here ? as I guess they won't be cheap postage and the customs costs from the States as they weigh 30 odd kg's

I got mine from Don at Kalmar Union, but I think you can get them for Parts for Volvos (PFS). I seem to recall the whole lot came to about £350 or so. The rear one is a relatively easy fit, the front is one for a confident DIY person - involves lowering rear of subframe and steering box. For myself, I paid a Volvo specialist garage to do this. It is not too time intensive if you have a four post jack - and I know some of the guys on here have done this on their front drives.

WHat you need to bear in mind is that the car will benefit from four wheel alignment afterwards because the fitment will involve undoing some of the alignment bolts. This can at a push be done with basic kit, but a proper 4 wheel alignment from someone using Hunter alignment stuff could set you back £120 or more. Which is a rip off IMHO. http://www.pro-align.co.uk/amc/index.htm They look at camber, toe-in and so on, so a comprehensive laser alignment and you get a print out too. My local place charged £50 just to check the alignment!

That said, it handles a treat afterwards - but I would urge getting it done when you have done EVERYTHING!

The advice I have had from a couple of specialist perfomance Volvo garages is that you do not fit IPD at just the back or the front - it really needs to be both ends.

IPD don't really do US-UK exports - I reckon they prefer you go through places like PFS, Kalmar Union etc. If you do order direct, they charge as much for postage as the part itself. A bit feeble to be honest. Don at Kalmar is a nice bloke with lots of knowledge about racing Volvos - but he is a racer rather than a shopkeeper, so you might have to prod him a couple of times ;)

[Barnsley-Bill]

Skidmarks

could you answer my pm about the Koni setup you asked me to save for you.
at least let me know one way or the other if you want them or not.

oh and look on here for the droplinks half the price of the same ones PFV are selling.
http://www.vpcuk.org/forums/showthread.php?t=30696

[SKIDMARKS]

Thanks Alan

Have replied to pm. I have seen this deal regarding drop links but assumed it was a group buy and has now gone.

[Barnsley-Bill]

Hi pm back :).

contact v70torslanda he might be able to sort you out with some.

[v70torslanda]

These guys (http://www.allgermanparts.co.uk/ourshop/cat_320731-Other-makes.html) sell decent quality Meyle droplinks and top mounts for less then I can buy them for . . .

[SKIDMARKS]

These guys (http://www.allgermanparts.co.uk/ourshop/cat_320731-Other-makes.html) sell decent quality Meyle droplinks and top mounts for less then I can buy them for . . .

Emailed Jason today for a price. They are really looking a cheap deal for a quality item.

Btw are any suppliers for IPD arb's here. Had a look and seem to be in the States

[kee1173]

Had 2 top mounts done on my old V70 AWD, but this was by a mechanic and just used std rubber mounts, This cost £130.00 all in for the pair..so i guess the mounts were about £70 for pair but these were volvo originals... Think my T5 needs a new one after a pothole or 2 grrrrr... but interested in using poly ones but would like to know the advantage of using and if much cost difference?

[kee1173]

Actually just read thru all posts and now know stick with ordinary, also thinkin i may have paid over the odds for mine but did have complete mount both side replaced

[SKIDMARKS]

Meyle HD drop links for mine £ 14.40 per corner plus £4.50 post

[adamr8965]

I've just had my O/s top strut mount done on a v70 T5 and it cost £74.20 for the plate, Rubber seat £24.60 and £55 labour plus vat, for one side only.

[LeeT5]

Meyle HD drop links for mine £ 14.40 per corner plus £4.50 post

HD? LOL. I bet they still don't last 50k. There's nothing heavy duty about them. OE drop links are good for 50k. Besides, even if they don't last 50 or 60k they don't exactly break the bank and are not hard to replace either.
The only thing HD is the black paint on them to make them look different. ;)

[LeeT5]

I got mine from Don at Kalmar Union, but I think you can get them for Parts for Volvos (PFS). I seem to recall the whole lot came to about £350 or so. The rear one is a relatively easy fit, the front is one for a confident DIY person - involves lowering rear of subframe and steering box. For myself, I paid a Volvo specialist garage to do this. It is not too time intensive if you have a four post jack - and I know some of the guys on here have done this on their front drives.

WHat you need to bear in mind is that the car will benefit from four wheel alignment afterwards because the fitment will involve undoing some of the alignment bolts. This can at a push be done with basic kit, but a proper 4 wheel alignment from someone using Hunter alignment stuff could set you back £120 or more. Which is a rip off IMHO. http://www.pro-align.co.uk/amc/index.htm They look at camber, toe-in and so on, so a comprehensive laser alignment and you get a print out too. My local place charged £50 just to check the alignment!

That said, it handles a treat afterwards - but I would urge getting it done when you have done EVERYTHING!

The advice I have had from a couple of specialist perfomance Volvo garages is that you do not fit IPD at just the back or the front - it really needs to be both ends.

IPD don't really do US-UK exports - I reckon they prefer you go through places like PFS, Kalmar Union etc. If you do order direct, they charge as much for postage as the part itself. A bit feeble to be honest. Don at Kalmar is a nice bloke with lots of knowledge about racing Volvos - but he is a racer rather than a shopkeeper, so you might have to prod him a couple of times ;)

Yes you can get them from PFV.

Also, ref 4 wheel alighnment, Elite in Rainham, Essex use Hunter machines. It is FREE for a wheel alignment check and £49.99 for adjustment. So, not a rip off at all. I have been using them for nearly 10 years and they come highly recommended. The best bit is they are in your neck of the woods Phil! So you don't have to get ripped off anymore.:remybussi

[SKIDMARKS]

HD? LOL. I bet they still don't last 50k. There's nothing heavy duty about them. OE drop links are good for 50k. Besides, even if they don't last 50 or 60k they don't exactly break the bank and are not hard to replace either.
The only thing HD is the black paint on them to make them look different. ;)


I hear that Meyle are quality items and cheaper than oe. Btw they are not black ??

And as as for Hunter....no cost to me as my son uses this alignment in their bodyshop...just a bit of payback after the years of free lodgings !!

[dave stew]

Meyle drop links are chrome plated.

[LeeT5]

I hear that Meyle are quality items and cheaper than oe. Btw they are not black ??

And as as for Hunter....no cost to me as my son uses this alignment in their bodyshop...just a bit of payback after the years of free lodgings !!

I was meaning the IPD HD ones are black. Wasn't talking about the Meyle ones :)