Strut mount bushing: Key to Volvo drive comfort and performance

Swedish automaker Volvo is one of the industryto provide a flexible coupling. Front STRUTS with
movers able to start the about-face from thea rubber coupling are used on compact Volvos
blast-and-cast school of sports wagonthat have a McPherson STRUT assembly. This
manufacturing. Making room for passengertype of STRUTS can also be used on the rear
comfort in performance vehicles, Volvo carsend of the car if it is capable of a four-wheel
feature an integrated suspension setting thatdrive. In most cases, fixed chrome shafts are
boasts of a best-in-class drivability. Composed ofused on rear STRUTS to make the car better
a number of STRUT tower braces and STRUTequipped against chassis flex.
links, the Volvo suspension assembly isWhen the Volvo hug curves, stress is absorbed
incorporated to the car chassis, which facilitatesby the STRUTS and flows down the mounting
even weight transfer along the car suspension.points. The chrome shafts of the rear STRUT
With the Volvo STRUTS all braced up for chassisMOUNTS dampen the stress, while the rubber
flex during high-speed turns, the Volvo frame isportion of the front STRUT MOUNTS are
strengthened and makes the car resistant againstsusceptible to wear out its BUSHINGS and
body roll.bearings in the face of chassis flex. While the
The Volvo STRUT tower brace unifies the car'sshaft MOUNTS can accommodate the rerouted
STRUTS and sway bars. Collectively, these barschassis flex, the BUSHINGS and bearings can give
and towers form a frame within the car framein and reduce the flexibility of the pivot points. On
and absorb chassis flex, sparing the car cabinaccount of the usual stress that the Volvo front
from excessive roll especially during hardSTRUT braces meet, STRUT MOUNT BUSHINGS
cornering. Newer Volvo models come stock-fittedand bearings are suspension assembly parts that
with a STRUT tower brace. Older Volvos cannecessitate regular maintenance.
have their suspension setting unified with a simpleA worn out STRUT MOUNT BUSHING can make
drill-and-bolt procedure. Because the frontsteering hard and negate the cabin comfort that
suspension turns left and right during steering,the Volvo suspension provides. It results in erratic
front STRUTS are mounted and require no drilling,steering and makes a creaking and popping noise.
while rear struts are drilled on to the car chassis.Even at cruise speed, a busted MOUNT can rear
Volvo rear and front STRUTS are designed toits ugly head in the form of excessive play in the
take the brunt of chassis flex. They are steelsuspension. This can break the rubber portion of
braces built for durability and can even be reused.the MOUNT and snowball into disproportionate
They are mounted on heavy-duty chrome shaftbounce and front STRUT collapse. In most cases,
MOUNTS to withstand stress. Front STRUTthe creaking noise precedes the erratic steering,
MOUNTS, however, need to have pivot points toand is one way to tell if the Volvo STRUT
allow the front wheels to steer. STRUT MOUNTSMOUNT BUSHING has gone past its peak
at the head of the Volvo suspension assemblyperformance.
have rubber joints with BUSHINGS and bearings