1986 245 Volvo front strut housing diameter

Hello my name is Brian and I have a 1986 245 Volvo that I'm trying to replace the struts and springs.

I bought the springs and struts and have some challenges inserting the strut into the strut housing steps, related to diameters.

When I remove the strut I looked down into the strut housing and I see an "insert ring". Which reduces the diameter of the housing so I can't get the new strut down in it. (see images).

The original strut diameter is 1.56". The strut housing diameter is 1.59".  0.03" clearance, perfect fit.

All the struts I've purchased are ~1.68-1.71" inches in diameter.  Too big to slide inside the 1.59", not even close.

However if the " insert ring" was removed, the inner diameter goes from 1.59" to 1.72".

With an inner diameter of 1.72"  any of the  new struts, would most likely fit in.

Question:

1) Does this insert need to be removed? if so What's the recommended way of removing it?

2) If this "insert ring" remains what is a recommended strut company to purchase the strut?  I've bought three different ones KYB, Sachs (Boge),  and one from AutoZone which I don't recall name brand.

At this point I think it would be easier to buy the entire fully loaded strut assembly for the left and right.

Do you'll sell the fully loaded strut assembly left and right for the 1986 245 Volvo?

Regards,

Brian