Lowering a c70

[c70geoff]

hey guys just checking to find out if anyone has lowered their C70 on just springs and if the Lesjofors ones are any good
i'm not really doing it for the handling but more for the astetics
plus how easy is the spring change or is there a how to guide on here
cheers guys

[MIKESC70T5]

Had some Spax lowering springs put on my old C70T5, lowered it 20mm which was just enough with the 18" genuine pegs I was running. Ride was very good to. Not sure what was involved in changing them as I'm a lazy §§§§§§ and got a garage to do it lol.

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s29/MIKEST5R/SDC11253.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s29/MIKEST5R/SDC11256.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s29/MIKEST5R/SDC10195.jpg

Loved the ride height and the 18 "pegs really showed off the Porsche big brake kit I had put on

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s29/MIKEST5R/SDC10345.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s29/MIKEST5R/SDC11239.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s29/MIKEST5R/SDC11240.jpg

[Wobbly Dave]

Mine sits on Eibach prokit springs. I had Koni FSD shocks but now I am running Bilsteins. I also have the IPD thicker ARBs

[c70geoff]

Ok cool looks better but need to know if anyone has tackled doing this on there own and if anyone has used the lesjofor springs

[M-R-P]

The front is technically easy but you should go to a main stealer and get a set of hub carrier bolts and nuts. The old ones don't like coming off and you may need to grind them off. Have a look at my "how to polybush your wishbones while changing your shocks" thread. It's on a different model but the method of removing the shock and spring is the same.
The rears on mine were difficult but I believe the C series has the same setup as the P1 V70 and should be a lot easier.

Hth.

[MIKESC70T5]

The front is technically easy but you should go to a main stealer and get a set of hub carrier bolts and nuts. The old ones don't like coming off and you may need to grind them off. Have a look at my "how to polybush your wishbones while changing your shocks" thread. It's on a different model but the method of removing the shock and spring is the same.
The rears on mine were difficult but I believe the C series has the same setup as the P1 V70 and should be a lot easier.

Hth.

The garage who did mine, took them a hour to fit all 4 and no new parts needed if that helps.

[Wobbly Dave]

Messing with spring compressors is not for the faint hearted. Be very careful

[M-R-P]

I used 3 single leg compressors, takes bloody ages but much safer than a single bolt claw - type.

[MIKESC70T5]

Messing with spring compressors is not for the faint hearted. Be very careful

I'm no mechanic, but I changed all the springs and shocks on my bm and used spring compressors for the first time in my life and had no issues.

[t5 pete]

You wont need new hub bolts only thing you might need is the rear spring clamps the ones that hold the springs into the carrier as the little tabs tend to snap off with rot and then they spin while trying to undew them if this happens i use a large set of plumbers plyers to clamp them in place.
For the fronts
Jack the car up
Aexl stands
Remove wheels
Remove drop link
Remove bung for abs wire
Slacken front leg bolts untill there vertually off x2
Then undew the 3 bolts on the top of the strut
Go back to front leg and remove bolts
Take front leg out
Now use your spring compressors to compress the spring
Once the spring becomes slack start to undew all the top assembly
There is a specal nut on top if you dont have the correct tool i use a hammer and punch to slacken it off and plyers to keep turning it
Fitting is reversal
Remember when compressing springs or when taking the compressers off to undew them evenly

Real
Jack rear up
Axel stands
Remove wheels
I used a jack under the shocker spring to catch the rear axel so it dont suddenly drop
Undew the bolt for the shocker and remove the bottom of the shocker
Once done lower the jack
Now you will notice the rear axle has droped abit
There is a clamp at the bottom of the spring this needs to be undone
Then the spring will be free i just push down on the axel a little and waddle the spring out if you find it tight use the spring clamps
To put back is reversal of above.

There easy to do but be very carefull with compressed springs as they arnt forgiving

And if you dont have spring compressors these are what you want
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2PC-COIL-SPRING-COMPRESSOR-HEAVY-DUTY-SPRING-CLAMPS-MAX-OPENING-370MM-/321020859756?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item4abe55956c

[Wobbly Dave]

Still storing up a lot of energy is still dangerous - great care needs to be exercised. I wouldnt want any one having any accidents.

[st1t5]

Our C70 sits on the lowest option setting Volvo done at the time .. (i forget the proper name Volvo called it, Dynamic Setting ?? ) .. , im pretty sure it sits even lower than the Eibach springs sit. I have seen C70's on Eibachs and they sit higher than our C70.

I renewed all shocks and springs on our C70 a wee while back with new Volvo items. I changed the rears with no problems, although i did find that if not sat millimetre perfect in the lower spring cup holders one of the coils rubbed against the holder.
The fronts were a different story, i have changed many a coil spring in my lifetime nice and safely, but even using 3 coil compressors i just could not get the new coil(s) to compress enough, i dont know if it was due to them being the Volvo lowered coils so therefor a higher poundage rating. In the interests of safety i just gave them to my local garage who done them for me using his compressor machine. He did mention that they were tough springs and could understand why i had trouble trying to compress them. At the end of the day they have to support a tank so no wonder they are solid !!! ..

[stribo]

Am I right in thinking the GT sits lower than other C70s, and if so are there lowering springs available for them?

[M-R-P]

By hub carrier bolts, I didn't mean hub bolts Pete. I meant the bolts that hold the hub assembly to the shock absorber. They tend to rust solid and refuse to move. As I found to my annoyance when I twisted and bent one on a sunday morning with no spares and the car on the inlaws driveway.

[c70geoff]

cheers guys much appreciated

[st1t5]

Am I right in thinking the GT sits lower than other C70s,

It depends on what option setting was ticked when the 1st owner bought the car originally ... There was 3 options to choose from. I cant remember the exact names, but basically you had the normal setting which was abit high, then sports setting which was abit lower then the lowest setting. The lowest option is really low and looks great.



and if so are there lowering springs available for them?

There will be lowered springs available. However IMO if you had a C70 with the lowest setting option from factory i would not think you would get it any lower than that. If you have the high setting then you should see a difference.

[partsforvolvos.com]

Am I right in thinking the GT sits lower than other C70s, and if so are there lowering springs available for them?

yes, but i dont know the code number to choose to get this spring. the 'gt' was -20mm from memory.

[Wobbly Dave]

Yes but even the GTs sat with their ar$e in the air

[stribo]

Yes but even the GTs sat with their ar$e in the air

Tell me about it :)

[c70geoff]

i do like the delivery man when he stops outside mine with boxes for me
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b81/miragecoupe/38CB7135-4867-468C-9718-2BFA87EE31A9-1647-00000199CAE97C69.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b81/miragecoupe/70EA8F96-5F3C-4403-8316-DEDA97FB5CC7-1647-00000199CF881A8D.jpg

[V70 Graham]

looking good, when's that little lot being fitted ?

[M-R-P]

Aaaww.. pretty shiny springs... c'mon, spanners at the ready - we want pics and everything lol :D

[c70geoff]

when i'm over this norovirus crap it will all be on guys with some step by step pics etc

[M-R-P]

"norovirus crap" good choice of terminology lol. :)

[c70geoff]

i do try lol

[c70geoff]

just need an r type front lip spoiler now

[t5 pete]

By hub carrier bolts, I didn't mean hub bolts Pete. I meant the bolts that hold the hub assembly to the shock absorber. They tend to rust solid and refuse to move. As I found to my annoyance when I twisted and bent one on a sunday morning with no spares and the car on the inlaws driveway.

Thats because yours are ford crap lol honnestly never had a problem with any of the phase 1's ive worked on

[stribo]

Thats because yours are ford crap lol honnestly never had a problem with any of the phase 1's ive worked on

I didn't have a problem with my hub bolts when I lowered my FORD Cougar. :P

[Wobbly Dave]

just need an r type front lip spoiler now from a Honda?

[c70geoff]

lol sorry for my stupidity a v70r type splitteror maybe something like this one

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b81/miragecoupe/718942_291_full_zps58746bac.jpg

[M-R-P]

lol sorry for my stupidity a v70r type splitteror maybe something like this one

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b81/miragecoupe/718942_291_full_zps58746bac.jpg

Ooh, that's a sexy car...

The splitter should fit a V70 nicely.

[c70geoff]

does look rather nice but i'm not a lover of the rims

[Wobbly Dave]

v70r bumper ruins the lines of the c70

[M-R-P]

Of everything in the above pic, I think the grille lets it down. It needs something different but I can't put my finger on what.

[c70geoff]

coloured calipers and tints oh and the removal of the chrome around the grill

might buy myself a second hand c70 bumper and attempt to create myself a nice resin splitter

[Wobbly Dave]

I have a spare front bumper cover going if you need one to work on?

[c70geoff]

ooooo how much my good man

[Wobbly Dave]

Nothing - FOC - but you'll need to collect it & if you make one I like - I may ask for a copy - fair does?

[c70geoff]

sounds like a plan fella and much appreciated

[stribo]

lol sorry for my stupidity a v70r type splitteror maybe something like this one

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b81/miragecoupe/718942_291_full_zps58746bac.jpg

I love that, something to aim for for my C70.