Front strut kit complete setup. Anyone try this???

[xraybob]

I recently purchased and installed a front strut kit made by Sensen called Speedy Strut. It includes as a complete unit the strut, strut mount bearing, strut mount bushing and locking nuts. Installation was a breeze. And after an alignment, my MY04 drove perfectly.......except that in parking lot manuvers there is a slight thunk when turning the wheel either way at its near limit. My original struts lasted 151K miles and thunked loudly for the past 10K miles. These new units have a lifetime warranty.....so that's not really my concern at this point. Suggestions, comments, prayers? The strut kits cover 03-07 XC70 years and the part number is 9214-0095 under the Sensen.com web site. Thanks for your time in reading and commenting.

[JeffHicks]

I haven't done this with my recently-purchased '02 XC, but I've installed QuickStruts on a lot of vehicles. In my opinion, it's the only way to go on most older vehicles.

[JRL]

Not good to buy these aftermarket
strut mount bearing, strut mount they WILL fail prematurely

[Forkster]

Not good to buy these aftermarket
strut mount bearing, strut mount they WILL fail prematurely

Word on that - the strut mount and bushing (the large black rubber grommet that goes into the strut housing) should be OEM. Otherwise, you'll be taking it apart in 3 years and replacing it. Trust me, I went cheap on control arms, and they lasted two years - I essentially wasted $400 on replacing two control arms + an alignment.

Because Volvo's last a very long time, you'd be better off replacing it with OEM, or the OEM manufacturer branded parts. Ie Sachs for struts.

[madymo3d]

I recently purchased and installed a front strut kit made by Sensen called Speedy Strut. It includes as a complete unit the strut, strut mount bearing, strut mount bushing and locking nuts. Installation was a breeze. And after an alignment, my MY04 drove perfectly.......except that in parking lot manuvers there is a slight thunk when turning the wheel either way at its near limit. My original struts lasted 151K miles and thunked loudly for the past 10K miles. These new units have a lifetime warranty.....so that's not really my concern at this point. Suggestions, comments, prayers? The strut kits cover 03-07 XC70 years and the part number is 9214-0095 under the Sensen.com web site. Thanks for your time in reading and commenting.

I'm about to do the same in a few days. I think that is interesting is Sensen claims to be OE for VW, Volvo, Audi in the China market, and Volvo is now owned by Chinese manufacturer so while part of me is skeptical about the quality vs price, it doesn't seem to be a fly by night company. Simply a company that's trying to branch out. Hoping for the best.

[volvospeed70]

I installed a set of SENSEN struts on my old 2004 kia since thee old struts were blown and i didn't plan on keeping the car very long at the time. They were on the car for a little over 2 years before i sold it and they were still working fine and weren't leaking so for the price they can't be beat it seems. They won't ride like factory sachs shocks or bilstein but worth a shot.

[Thames]

Revving an old thread. Is there any other users ?

[emartin]

I recently purchased and installed a front strut kit made by Sensen called Speedy Strut. It includes as a complete unit the strut, strut mount bearing, strut mount bushing and locking nuts. Installation was a breeze. And after an alignment, my MY04 drove perfectly.......except that in parking lot manuvers there is a slight thunk when turning the wheel either way at its near limit. My original struts lasted 151K miles and thunked loudly for the past 10K miles. These new units have a lifetime warranty.....so that's not really my concern at this point. Suggestions, comments, prayers? The strut kits cover 03-07 XC70 years and the part number is 9214-0095 under the Sensen.com web site. Thanks for your time in reading and commenting.

just recently bought an 04 with low miles and as soon as i got home with it the strut spring broke. so i found a pair of speedy mounts through amazon, basicly getting 2 for the normal price of one. but they said lifetime guarantee. i put them in, quick and easy and imediately they start making a grinding kinda noise as the struts are turned to their extremes both right and left, and they are both doing it. turns out the coil is moving with in the strut assembly at the extremes and that is what is making the noise. i called and they sent me 2 more. i havent put them in yet, im afraid it may be the same story with the new ones. i will post again after they are instaled.

[goldxc70]

... imediately they start making a grinding kinda noise as the struts are turned to their extremes both right and left, and they are both doing it. turns out the coil is moving with in the strut assembly at the extremes and that is what is making the noise ...

If I'd read this before I installed a pair of Sensen Speedi-Struts (I had previous positive experience with the Sensen brand so had no hesitation in trying them), I would have saved myself a scare when I heard the "grinding noises" although I would describe it more like creaking or clicking. My daughter described it as "cranking". Anyway, my concern was that some bolt had worked itself loose and I had a long drive ahead of me. I checked all the major links and torques and completed the trip tonight. Tomorrow, I'm going to find a parking lot to see if the noise is something that can be "worked" out of the struts.

[JRL]

Sounds like a broken spring seat.
I just bought a pair of new front OEM struts to finish up my 07. I can afford to go OEM for what I pay, (about $112 ea, $28 for a spring seat and $7 for a strut bellow)