240 self levelling suspension

Discussion in 'Volvo 240' started by David Balfour, Aug 13, 2005.

  1. The suspension in my 1992 240 SE (UK spec) is due for a renovation soon -
    the back is saggy and the front shocks are on their way out.

    I have the self-levelling type of rear shocks, but I'm considering putting
    standard ones on due to the price of the self-levelling units. Do I just
    need to change the shocks, or are there other things that need changing?

    As I'm looking at replacing a lot of suspension parts, I was cautiously
    thinking of perhaps trying to make the car less 'wallowy' in the corners.
    Google turned up nothing, so does anyone know if there is a site around that
    describes any options. I don't want to do anything silly, just make it
    slightly less of a pudding in the corners.

    Any help most gratefully received.

    David
     
    David Balfour, Aug 13, 2005
    #1
  2. David Balfour

    James Sweet Guest

    Self leveling suspension on a 240? I thought that was only offered on 760s?

    I have IPD swaybars on my 240 and they work wonders. You're probably due for
    new bushings too.
     
    James Sweet, Aug 14, 2005
    #2
  3. David Balfour

    Randy G. Guest

    I have the nivomats on teh 960. If a car is so equipped, I believe
    that if you retrofit standard shocks the springs also have to be
    changed to match.



    __ __
    Randy & \ \/ /alerie's
    \__/olvos
    '90 245 Estate - '93 965 Estate
    "Shelby" & "Kate"
     
    Randy G., Aug 14, 2005
    #3
  4. That happened to our 765, too. I went with standard (Boge?) shocks and
    overload springs from IPD. Yes, the springs have to be changed out, but the
    price was still attractive compared to even the aftermarket price of the
    Nivomats. It was also way easier than I thought - once the shock was out
    there was only a single bolt holding the spring.

    The ride is firmer than the original shocks were (the best I can remember
    before the originals went bad) but I am happy. I've carried 800 lbs of block
    in the back without trouble.

    Mike
     
    Michael Pardee, Aug 14, 2005
    #4
  5. David Balfour

    Mike F Guest

    In North America, Nivomats were standard in the 260 wagon from 1979. To
    swap them out, it's the same story as on the 700 series, you need to use
    different (stiffer) springs. You could probably find some cheap springs
    from a scapyard from a 240 wagon, they'll fit sedans with no problem.

    --
    Mike F.
    Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont.

    Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
    (But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)
     
    Mike F, Aug 15, 2005
    #5
  6. Interesting that, as far as all my sources go they weren't available on
    240's either. The previous owner (my dad) replaced the originals at ~70k
    because they were knackered and was told they were self-levelling types. So
    that's what was fitted.

    The springs are saggy anyway (six years of horse trailering) so I'll get new
    ones. Bushes seem a good idea (Polyurethane?), not sure I'll be able to find
    anybody in the UK that supplies uprated sway bars though. I wonder if IPD
    will ship to the UK economically.

    A Google site seemed to suggest the GLT's had stiffer suspension than the
    rest, anybody know if this is true?

    David
     
    David Balfour, Aug 15, 2005
    #6
  7. David Balfour

    User Guest

    The early GLT's had a slightly heavier sway bar front and rear, RSport
    gas shocks, and the same or slightly softer springs than the DL, GL
    models.

    Bob
     
    User, Aug 16, 2005
    #7
  8. David Balfour

    James Sweet Guest

    Weren't the GLTs identical to the Turbo models but with the standard engine?
     
    James Sweet, Aug 16, 2005
    #8
  9. David Balfour

    User Guest

    The US version was the standard B21F, Halloween interior, Silver paint
    with black and orange trim, alloy wheels, top mount strut supports,
    subdued "chrome" trim. I think they ran 79-80 or 81. The last year
    didn't have the garish exterior striping.

    Bob
     
    User, Aug 17, 2005
    #9
  10. David Balfour

    James Sweet Guest


    That's not the GLT, that's the GT you're describing, quite a different beast
    and only available in a 2 door sedan.
     
    James Sweet, Aug 17, 2005
    #10
  11. The US version was the standard B21F, Halloween interior, Silver paint
    I was under the impression (though I have nothing to back this up at all,
    and I've never even driven one) that the UK GLT's all were turbos (hence my
    comment).

    I have a book somewhere that will have the answers, I'll report back in due
    course!
     
    David Balfour, Aug 17, 2005
    #11
  12. David Balfour

    Roy Bolton Guest

    I did this job with a 740, wouldn't think the 240 is any different. You may
    be able to pick up a pair of nivomats from a breakers. Failing that, with
    the 740 it was a matter of changing the shocks and the rear springs. Stiffer
    ones are neccessary (found that out by trial and error. To beef up the
    suspension, perhaps adjustable shocks or there are ways of assisting the
    springs as in for caravan towing, though if you go for this option, you will
    be stuck with a stiffer ride all the time.

    Regards,

    Roy
     
    Roy Bolton, Aug 17, 2005
    #12
  13. David Balfour

    Tim.. Guest

    Quite the opposite- we never got any 240 Turbos in the UK.

    The biggest 4 cyl engine in the 240 we had was the 2.3 B230F in the GLT with
    136bhp.

    Tim..
     
    Tim.., Aug 18, 2005
    #13
  14. David Balfour

    James Sweet Guest

    I don't know about UK GLTs, but the US they sold a few GLTs, and in canada
    sold them for several more years that were at least asthetically a 240 Turbo
    with a standard B21 or B23 engine. Of course to confuse things more, a lot
    of people refer to the GL trim 240 Turbos as GLTs, even though on the back
    they say "Turbo" while the GLTs say "GLT".
     
    James Sweet, Aug 18, 2005
    #14
  15. David Balfour

    James Sweet Guest

    I believe that was the B230E, the F version is 114 HP.
     
    James Sweet, Aug 18, 2005
    #15
  16. Quite the opposite- we never got any 240 Turbos in the UK.
    This is true, I've checked with my history book. I've been living a
    misguided life all these years! All those 240's with the five spoke alloys
    aren't turbos! I just assumed the T in GLT stood for Turbo, but no. I'm
    devastated!!!

    Oh well.

    David
     
    David Balfour, Aug 19, 2005
    #16
  17. David Balfour

    James Sweet Guest

    I've heard of people dropping turbo motors into RHD 240's, but apparently
    it's a real tight fit with the turbo, brake booster and steering shaft all
    on the same side and requires some fancy exhaust work and other fiddling to
    make it all fit.
     
    James Sweet, Aug 20, 2005
    #17
  18. David Balfour

    Tim.. Guest

    On the 240 there is a fair bit of room and the B230FT fits lovely. On the
    360, the same is possible, but you do need a custom exhaust down pipe from
    the turbo, and if you have PAS (advisable) custom hoses are also required-
    in heat wrap. The holes in the front panel for the intercooler pipes are
    even present, and a stock 700series i/c just bolts right in!

    Tim..
     
    Tim.., Aug 20, 2005
    #18
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