🚀 go-pugleaf

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How can one tell if front MacPherson strut cartridges are significantly
worn out and in need of replacement?  I know it's obvious if they are
leaking, or if the car rebounds wildly if you push down on a corner of
the car (the "classic" test :-) ).   But how about more subtle wearing out 
due to age, if there is such a phenomenon?

My car is a 1980 Volvo, ~54,000 miles.  A mechanic doing some other work
pointed out that he thought the struts were showing "signs of wear" -
noting some shiny bare metal streaks on the housing under the rubber dust
boot just above the main spring - he said that indicated excessive travel &
bottoming out.  He also pointed out some *very* subtle staining in the dirt
which encrusts the whole assembly, saying that was an indication of a little
leaking, from age.  I wouldn't have noticed the "stain" as an obvious leakage.
He claims that after 5 years and 54K miles, struts would be on their last
legs if not gone, and should be replaced.  For $275 or so for gas pressurized
struts and rear shocks, installed.   Of course.

My regular mechanic says that he has seen them last for 80 - 100K miles,
and as long as you bounce the corner of the car and it still feels stiff and
doesn't rebound beyond one bounce, you're ok.  Naturally, if I try this they
seem fine.  

Which is why I'm asking about all this.  Is there any way of knowing
who's "right", short of simply replacing the struts?  Obviously
I'd just as soon not spend that money, but on the other hand, it makes me
crazy to drive a car which is not performing as it should 

I will admit that I don't notice any particular handling or ride difficulties,
BUT:  I've been driving the car daily for 5 years, and a *gradual* 
deterioration of handling and stability - not to dangerous levels - might
not be noticeable to me, in the sense that a set of new shocks might be
a pleasant surprise, bringing the car back to its original handling, which
I may have "forgotten".  And, the "push down on the fender and see what 
happens" test seems awfully simpleminded and unsubtle, given the generally 
taut springing and stabilizer bars found on European cars of this type.  
That test might do fine for a softly sprung full size Chevvie, but is it 
truly appropriate for this car? 

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

-Mark Bernstein (UT Austin, Speech)