Getting new shocks and springs today; I've read that you're meant to replace the spring seat and top-mount, and rear top mount. As these items add up to around £150 do they really need doing? I won't see the state of my current ones until I do the upgrade, but as the topmount is bolted to the underside of the suspension and the spring seat just being a seat for the spring, why would new ones make a difference?
Hi The rubber in these parts can fail over time - might a well do them as it will help to align the suspension parts. Can you get them locally and ask if you can return them if you don't need them ? Chris
I think if the car is over 10 years old / 80000 miles then change the lot, anti roll bar drop links as well. These cars are heavy and they say that the suspension is only good for about 80000 miles, so why change everything just to still have a creaking or clicking noise from the top mounts? If you have poly bushed the lower control arms, it is a must to change the top mounts as well.
There's no noise, it's just a bit mushy. I'm a firm believer in upgrade where you can, but I'm struggling to see how replacing a metal plate (top mount) with another, older metal plate for around £100 would help much. 
Don't get me wrong, I'm fully open to the arguments why - I haven't decided yet - but I was planning on spending half a grand, and it's quickly spiralling upwards into new turbo and exhaust money...
Keep the advice coming :)
I thought the centre was rubber ? Have a look under your bonnet - you'll see the rubber on the strut tops. Chris
[QUOTE=SaffronC70]I thought the centre was rubber ?[/QUOTE] :) I'm miles away from my car atm, will look this weekend. Certainly the big washer that sits on the top has rubber bits round it - deffo knackered, but can't find these for sale anywhere (I haven't tried volvo yet...)
try VT I got mine from there............. had to replace them a while ago when chaging all the bushes, arms etc....
The top mount has a roller bearimg in it to assist when turning..thru time it wears and could seize which will unseat your spring when turning ..the rubber seat the bearing sits in can collapse and cause suspension un even-ness..regarding the back...if uprating is there not a point about self levelling mounts need changed if replacing with lowered uprated springs / shocks etc ?