If you have the warranty, why would you not simply be using that? If it's a Volvo warranty then it's the deductible and that's in. Not sure they'll do both sides though, but even $500 for a single side is as cheap as you're gonna get it unless you do it yourself, and it's not worth the effort at the price after you buy the parts.

 

Plus pay the $500 deductible and you get a lifetime warranty on the strut.

 

I'm still a noob with forums, please disregard this single post 🤦

 

So update - Brought car to volvo dealer with the understanding they would work with warranty co to get fixed (this was was an extended warranty purchased through CarMax) - Volvo suggested replacing entire strut ($4.4k). This seemed a little curious since its clearly the front strut bearing that imploded and presumably could be swapped out with a new top hat and be on our way.

They put the claim in to warranty company for the entire strut, sending a picture of the strut and busted strut bearing to them, the warranty company promptly rejected the claim saying the picture does not show how the strut is damaged.

Is the dealer just trying to make more money by being lazy? I'm uncertain if the newly upgraded strut bearings do not work with the original strut/spring.

 

Sounds like an issue with the warranty company, not the dealership. They did their job, started the claim and even provided proof of failure.
Carmax sells a crappy extended warranty FYI.

 

If the warranty company is willing to do just the bearing you can always go for just that... and if the strut fails in a bigger way then they can pay the dealer for all that labor a 2nd time.

 

Final update: After a lengthy legal sounding letter to the warranty company, they authorized repair of both front struts, bearings, and top hats. Problem solved.