Eibachs...but which Dampers?

[stephenevans99]

I've decided I want to lower the back end of my S60 & I'm thinking about the Eibach Pro Kit from PFV.

Whilst changing the springs I thought perhaps change the rear dampers at the same time but not sure which kits will work well together without causing me any problems.

This is where I need help, I've been looking at the Bilstein B4 & B6 dampers along with the Meyle ones. If I use lowering springs, do I need to use specific dampers? I don't want a super harsh or bouncy ride - comfort is still paramount.

Any recommendations?

[Jamest5r]

The Koni's are adjustable firm to soft so could set it how you wish.

[graemewelch]

id stick with stock shocks if was you

[stephenevans99]

Thought about the Koni Adjustables but they're just a little outside of the budget.

I was wondering whether the Eibachs would work well with the standard shocks - I've never had any experience with lowering springs and I'm concerned about ruining the ride.

[graemewelch]

are you at york. ive got standard shocks and eibach springs. your more than welcome to have a blast in mine. i used to have koni fsd shocks on mine as well as eibach springs and uprated anti roll bar on rear. handled great but the ride was terrible. sold them and went back to standard shocks. could prob do with some new ones for front if im being picky.

[stephenevans99]

Cheers Graeme....always best learning from someones experiences. I may consider just installing standard Meyle dampers - the way I look at it is that the standard dampers left the factory 9 years ago and have covered 90K - they must be almost ready for replacing & it makes sense to do them whilst having the springs installed.

I'm going to call the guys you used recently in Huddersfield, should imagine it'd be 2-3 hours labour for the rears??

[graemewelch]

rears are realy easy to change. about 30 min a corner id say. even the fronts wont take that long. the service you get there is spot on. if your buying new bearing and mounts with the shocks id just change them your self. only 5 bolts on the front to remove the strut. i can pop spring compressors in the post if havnt any, dont need any for rears. just remove shocks. need to remove boot carpet. one bolt inside wheel arch and the spring just drops out if i remember correctly. been a few years though

[stephenevans99]

More help needed :doh: Do you think looking at the pics below that it's wise to lower the fronts as it looks quite low as it is when compared to the rear?

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c2/stephenevans99/Volvo%20S60%20D5%202004/screen-capture-7.jpg (http://s24.photobucket.com/user/stephenevans99/media/Volvo%20S60%20D5%202004/screen-capture-7.jpg.html)

The springs have covered 90K and may be a tad tired resulting in it sitting low although it feels fine....seems a shame to have a full set of lowering springs but only use the rears???

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c2/stephenevans99/Volvo%20S60%20D5%202004/screen-capture-1-5.jpg (http://s24.photobucket.com/user/stephenevans99/media/Volvo%20S60%20D5%202004/screen-capture-1-5.jpg.html)

[Wobbly Dave]

Recommend for a smooth cruiser - monroe reflex.

[stephenevans99]

Cheers Dave......more options lol - my head's pecked with all these options !!

[Wobbly Dave]

Depends what kind of ride feel you want. Monroes are the least aggressive of the 3 types I have run - which also include Koni FSD & Bilsteins.

[stephenevans99]

I've just read on the Monroe website that the Reflex dampers aren't suitable for cars fitted with lowering springs :(

[Wobbly Dave]

Funny that - I ran monroe reflex on the 850R with eibach prokit springs.

[graemewelch]

if you fit lowering springs on rear and standards on the front the car will become unbalanced. if i was you id try springs with standard shocks first. uprated shocks realy do kill the ride. eibach springs can be harsh on poor roads. most the time i dont even notice though.

[Gold 'N' Brown]

I've just read on the Monroe website that the Reflex dampers aren't suitable for cars fitted with lowering springs :(

Koni say the same about their FSDs, but plenty of people use them with lowering springs with good results (I'm not talking specifically Volvo owners though). Both Monroe and Koni are just covering their backs, because quite simply, the shocks are designed to work best as an OE replacement with standard springs. That's not to say that they won't work, or rather shouldn't be paired with lowered springs, it's simply that they are not optimised for that combination. It's the very same reason why people often advise not to use lowering springs with standard shocks (again, I'm speaking broadly, and not being Volvo specific).

For the record, I'm only stating what I would consider to be a bit of common sense, and I'm not actually speaking from experience of using Monroe Reflex or FSDs. And my only point is not to worry too much about their disclaimer that they shouldn't be used with lowering springs, so long as you've done enough research to satisfy yourself that other's have used this combination safely, and whether or not it's a combination that works.

[graemewelch]

what ever you do dont get fsd. i had this combo and the ride was terrible. but car was like a cross between a go kart and a forklift truck

[stephenevans99]

Thanks again for the heads up.....I'm pushing towards standard Meyle dampers with the Eibachs. I'm just hoping the front isn't going to be slammed to the point where it ruins the ride.

[graemewelch]

the hight wont alter the ride but the stifness of the springs will. mines lowered on eibach ill dig out some pics for you to compare to yours

[graemewelch]

http://i1240.photobucket.com/albums/gg483/gwexhausts/20121013_134024.jpg (http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/gwexhausts/media/20121013_134024.jpg.html)

http://i1240.photobucket.com/albums/gg483/gwexhausts/20120513_130148.jpg (http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/gwexhausts/media/20120513_130148.jpg.html)
http://i1240.photobucket.com/albums/gg483/gwexhausts/20120504_103054.jpg (http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/gwexhausts/media/20120504_103054.jpg.html)

http://i1240.photobucket.com/albums/gg483/gwexhausts/20120504_103128.jpg (http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/gwexhausts/media/20120504_103128.jpg.html)

http://i1240.photobucket.com/albums/gg483/gwexhausts/20120504_103121.jpg (http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/gwexhausts/media/20120504_103121.jpg.html)

hopfully these will give you a better idea of how yours will sit with eibach springs. ive tried to find pics from a many different angles as i can

[Redbrick]

Recommend for a smooth cruiser - monroe reflex.

I respectfully disagree, I never found anything they were good at. :)

Bilstein B6 HD's with the original dynamic sports chassis springs were sublime 100K mikes ago, probably due a change again. A real case of reassuringly expensive. A magic carpet ride with brilliant cornering "stiffness".

[stephenevans99]

Cheers for that Graeme :B_thumb: