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1986-1993 Volvo 240 Front Springs Replacement

What you need

  1. 1986-1993 Volvo 240 Front Springs Replacement, Front Springs: step 1, image 1 of 3 1986-1993 Volvo 240 Front Springs Replacement, Front Springs: step 1, image 2 of 3 1986-1993 Volvo 240 Front Springs Replacement, Front Springs: step 1, image 3 of 3
    • Jack up the front of the car and place it on jack stands.

    • Never work on or underneath a car that is only supported by a jack. The jack may slip or fail, resulting in serious injury or even death.

    • Use an impact wrench or tire iron to remove the five 19 mm lug nuts from the front wheel.

    • Pull the front wheel off the wheel lugs and set it aside.

  2. 1986-1993 Volvo 240 Front Springs Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 3 1986-1993 Volvo 240 Front Springs Replacement: step 2, image 2 of 3 1986-1993 Volvo 240 Front Springs Replacement: step 2, image 3 of 3
    • Use a socket wrench or impact gun to remove the 15 mm nut on the front sway bar endlink.

  3. 1986-1993 Volvo 240 Front Springs Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 3 1986-1993 Volvo 240 Front Springs Replacement: step 3, image 2 of 3 1986-1993 Volvo 240 Front Springs Replacement: step 3, image 3 of 3
    • The front brake lines are attached to the body by a small bracket near the strut.

    • Grab the front edge of the bracket with a pair of locking pliers.

    • Without the locking pliers to hold the bracket in place, it may twist back and forth. This twisting could fracture the rigid brake lines.

    • Remove the 12 mm bolt that holds the bracket in place with a socket wrench.

  4. 1986-1993 Volvo 240 Front Springs Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 2 1986-1993 Volvo 240 Front Springs Replacement: step 4, image 2 of 2
    • Use a socket wrench or impact gun to remove the 19 mm tie rod end nut.

  5. 1986-1993 Volvo 240 Front Springs Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 2 1986-1993 Volvo 240 Front Springs Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 2
    • Place a tie rod end puller over the exposed threads of the tie rod end and turn the puller with a socket wrench to push the tie rod end out of the steering knuckle.

  6. 1986-1993 Volvo 240 Front Springs Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 3 1986-1993 Volvo 240 Front Springs Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 3 1986-1993 Volvo 240 Front Springs Replacement: step 6, image 3 of 3
    • The ball joint is held to the control arm by three 18 mm bolts.

    • Remove the bottom two nuts with a breaker bar or long wrench.

    • Place a breaker bar over the gold nut on the bottom of the control arm.

    • The breaker bar alone will not be able to loosen the nut, since the bolt is free to rotate.

    • Place an 18 mm box end wrench over the bolt on top of the control arm.

    • Turn the breaker bar and the wrench in their respective counterclockwise directions to loosen and remove the third ball joint-to-control arm bolt.

  7. 1986-1993 Volvo 240 Front Springs Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 1
    • Place a jack underneath the ball joint to support it once you remove the 3 ball joint-to-control arm bolts.

  8. 1986-1993 Volvo 240 Front Springs Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 3 1986-1993 Volvo 240 Front Springs Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 3 1986-1993 Volvo 240 Front Springs Replacement: step 8, image 3 of 3
    • Open the hood and locate the three strut mounting bolts on the strut tower.

    • Make an alignment mark on the shoe at the dimple in the top of the strut tower before removing the mounting nuts.

    • Use a ratcheting socket wrench or impact wrench with a 13 mm deep socket to remove the three nuts.

  9. 1986-1993 Volvo 240 Front Springs Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 1
    • Slowly lower the jack and guide the strut assembly down and out of the car.

  10. 1986-1993 Volvo 240 Front Springs Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 3 1986-1993 Volvo 240 Front Springs Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 3 1986-1993 Volvo 240 Front Springs Replacement: step 10, image 3 of 3
    • Place spring compressors on opposite sides of the spring.

    • Make sure you are using spring compressors that are meant for MacPherson struts. Internal-type spring compressors will not work.

    • Alternate tightening the spring compressors evenly until you are able to move the entire spring up and down.

  11. 1986-1993 Volvo 240 Front Springs Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 3 1986-1993 Volvo 240 Front Springs Replacement: step 11, image 2 of 3 1986-1993 Volvo 240 Front Springs Replacement: step 11, image 3 of 3
    • Use an impact wrench to remove the 24 mm nut at the top of the strut assembly.

    • Remove the strut mount from the strut assembly.

  12. 1986-1993 Volvo 240 Front Springs Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 2 1986-1993 Volvo 240 Front Springs Replacement: step 12, image 2 of 2
    • Remove the upper spring seat and pull the spring off the strut assembly.

    • If you are installing new springs you will need to remove the spring compressors. Loosen each spring compressor evenly, alternating from side to side until they are off the spring completely.

    • When installing new springs you will need to compress them with the spring compressors before placing them on the strut assembly.

    • If you are reinstalling the same springs you may keep the compressors in place until it is time to reassemble the suspension.

David Hodson

Member since: 04/13/10

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