Volvo Repair: front end noise from strut housing, rubber bushing, spring compressor

Question
I have an S80 2000 that is making a noise in the front (like drgging a tree branch down the road when you hit a bump).

After checking it out by pushing up and down on the front pass. side I realized that it was coming from the front strut tower.

So I removed the cover to reveal the strut shaft and bolt.   The rubber bushing on top was about a 1/4 inch high and was not touching the lower.  It has a nut in an X shape that is attached to a rubber mount.  The bushing under this X nut looks as though the center is torn.

My questions to you are; Can this be easily replaced?  Can I tell if the bearing needs to be replaced at the same time?  Do I have to align the car afterwards?  Any secrets do doing this job?

The car does have 110,000 california road miles on it.   The struts seem fine but should they be replaced anyway?

Thank you for your time,

Chris

Answer
the part is called the upper strut mount bushing.you will need spring compressors to compress the spring so you can remove the bushing.the bearings do not really go bad I don't think I have replaced any yet.no secrets to doing job just be careful when using spring compressor because a spring that comes loose under pressure can cause extreme bodily injury.the struts are also probably ok if they have no leaks.it will not need aligned just try to mark the strut where it fits to the spindle where the 2 large bolt that hold the strut to the spindle.there is some play here in and outward at these bolts that can affect the car and make it pull.if in doubt push the passenger side in all the way and let the drivers fall out ward this will help keep from pulling right due to road crown.