Suspension

[Sean Nugent]

Car: S70 2.5 T 1998
Location: UK

My mechanic tells me that my rear shocks are starting to fail and
while not a disaster at the moment I should start to consider what to
replace them with...

I could just use Volvo shocks
Or I could take the opportunity to upgrade with something possibly a
bit better

One point to note is that I have a heavy load in the boot of the car
permanently (due to a 90 litre LPG tank nad various ICE bits)

Just looking for suggestions and ideas at the moment...

Sean

 

[Bonnet Lock]

In an earlier contribution to this discussion,

Car: S70 2.5 T 1998
Location: UK

My mechanic tells me that my rear shocks are starting to fail and
while not a disaster at the moment I should start to consider what to
replace them with...

I could just use Volvo shocks
Or I could take the opportunity to upgrade with something possibly a
bit better

One point to note is that I have a heavy load in the boot of the car
permanently (due to a 90 litre LPG tank nad various ICE bits)

Just looking for suggestions and ideas at the moment...

Sean

You could possibly fit a V70 self-levelling kit (not sure whether the S70
had a self-levelling option - but the chassis is essentially the same). May
work out quite expensive though - unless you can get the bits from a low
mileage insurance write-off.

 

[Sean Nugent]

You could possibly fit a V70 self-levelling kit (not sure whether the S70
had a self-levelling option - but the chassis is essentially the same). May
work out quite expensive though - unless you can get the bits from a low
mileage insurance write-off.

Is that actually a serious option?

Sean

 

[Bonnet Lock]

In an earlier contribution to this discussion,

Is that actually a serious option?

Sean

Well, it can certainly be done - but I don't know about the cost!

I suggested it because you seem permanently to be carrying an additional
load - which presumably makes the car low at the back.

The exact details of the conversion to self-levelling depend on what you've
got to start with. At very least, you will need to replace the existing
dampers with the type which pump themselves up, using the energy which they
absorb from road motion. You may also have to replace the rear springs
and/or anti-roll bar.

If you email me privately at "news (at) mills37 (dot) fslife (dot) co (dot)
uk" with your VIN number, I'll look in the parts list and try to work out
what you's need.

 

[Spanky]

You could possibly fit a V70 self-levelling kit (not sure whether the S70
had a self-levelling option - but the chassis is essentially the same). May
work out quite expensive though - unless you can get the bits from a low
mileage insurance write-off.

The self-leveling kit would be more advantageous to someone who alternately
had a heavy load in the trunk. The car in question always has the heavy
equipment in the trunk. The obvious solution is a quality aftermarket shock
that is setup a little firmer than the stock rear shock.

 

[Bonnet Lock]

In an earlier contribution to this discussion,

The self-leveling kit would be more advantageous to someone who
alternately had a heavy load in the trunk. The car in question always
has the heavy equipment in the trunk. The obvious solution is a
quality aftermarket shock that is setup a little firmer than the
stock rear shock.

I disagree! You solution would give a firmer ride and help to prevent the
increased load from making the car wallow - but would do nothing to sort out
the ride height, unless you also fitted stiffer springs. Added to that, the
load *isn't* constant - because the 90 litre LPG tank can be full or empty
(or somewhere in between).

 

[Spanky]

I disagree! You solution would give a firmer ride and help to prevent the
increased load from making the car wallow - but would do nothing to sort out
the ride height, unless you also fitted stiffer springs. Added to that, the
load *isn't* constant - because the 90 litre LPG tank can be full or empty
(or somewhere in between).

You are right, I did forget to specify new springs although that was what I
was intended to convey. A lot of cars have the fuel tank over the rear axle
and, with a quality suspension it's not really an issue.

 

[Guest]

Car: S70 2.5 T 1998
Location: UK

My mechanic tells me that my rear shocks are starting to fail and
while not a disaster at the moment I should start to consider what to
replace them with...

I could just use Volvo shocks
Or I could take the opportunity to upgrade with something possibly a
bit better

One point to note is that I have a heavy load in the boot of the car
permanently (due to a 90 litre LPG tank nad various ICE bits)

Just looking for suggestions and ideas at the moment...

Dependiing on what the ride height it like with petrol or gas tank full (but
not both) I might well repleace the springs with apair of stiffer T5 units
and upgrade the shocks to some quality Boge or Sachs gas filled units.

the rear suspension on our now sold 93 850 was decidedly soft and wallowey
at 100k and had we kept the car would have needed work...

Tim..