V70 suspension

[LLVM]

Hi all,
The car is a 2002 D5 (non nivomat) and now at 176k miles.
After much research, and wanting to preserve some degree of the OEM ride quality, I am thinking of going with Bilstien B4 or Sachs super touring dampers.

Top mounts and front spring seats will be done at the same time.
IPD do an uprated front spring seat , is it any good ?

Springs- I thought seeing as its all coming off, might as well slip some new springs in. I have searched into all your previous postings for what is available.
The ride height of the Eibach/ Apex/ H&R / Lesjofors dont appeal to me.
I do like how the stock V70R sits, but having consulted my local dealer , they say the springs from that car will not fit mine. Is this true ?
Alternatively, I do believe the factory offered a sport suspension option for the standard V70, lowered it by 10 -15mm, very subtle and I have seen some cars with this, which i like.
Where can I get those springs from ?

[M-R-P]

Hi all,
The car is a 2002 D5 (non nivomat) and now at 176k miles.
After much research, and wanting to preserve some degree of the OEM ride quality, I am thinking of going with Bilstien B4 or Sachs super touring dampers.

Top mounts and front spring seats will be done at the same time.
IPD do an uprated front spring seat , is it any good ?

Springs- I thought seeing as its all coming off, might as well slip some new springs in. I have searched into all your previous postings for what is available.
The ride height of the Eibach/ Apex/ H&R / Lesjofors dont appeal to me.
I do like how the stock V70R sits, but having consulted my local dealer , they say the springs from that car will not fit mine. Is this true ?
Alternatively, I do believe the factory offered a sport suspension option for the standard V70, lowered it by 10 -15mm, very subtle and I have seen some cars with this, which i like.
Where can I get those springs from ?

For the springs, I'd have a word with Jamie (Partsforvolvos) on here.
If you want to keep the ride quality, go for slightly better than OE - I have Boge Automatic. For 190 quid for the front two (probably cheaper online) and they give a slightly more planted feel than the OE ones without going into the "sports" feel/price of the Bilsteins. Probably like the Sachs super touring.

For top mounts and seats, just stick with genuine Volvo stuff - you're not doing track days :)

[M-R-P]

Something else well worth doing is powerflex bushes for the front wishbones.
they take away the vague feeling in the steering and they don't fail like the OE ones do. It's a bit of a faff to do the conversion, I did a how-to guide on it a while ago but it's the best upgrade for the money when it comes to the P2.

[LLVM]

I will drop Jamie a pm.

[LLVM]

Something else well worth doing is powerflex bushes for the front wishbones.


Yes I have considered this, but aware that its a bit of pig to do.
I may be getting this confused with my other cars, but does someone sell replacement front wishbones with the polys fitted on an exchange basis for the P2?

[M-R-P]

I think partsforvolvos sell wishbones with the polys fitted, not 100% on that tho.

[JamesT5]

Go for the PFV lowering kit, well worth it and it's been on my car for over a year.....

http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/s562/_JamesT5/P1011377_zpsdc46f8f0.jpg (http://s1306.photobucket.com/user/_JamesT5/media/P1011377_zpsdc46f8f0.jpg.html)

[LLVM]

[QUOTE=JamesT5;683938]Go for the PFV lowering kit, well worth it and it's been on my car for over a year.....

/QUOTE]
Hi James, good to know yours is doing well after a years use.
It is remarkable value for money, the kit uses Lesjofors springs and the spec sheet say 40mm drop, which is too much the type of ramps I need to clear.
Would be useful to see some more pics of your car from different angle.

[LeeT5]

Hi all,
The car is a 2002 D5 (non nivomat) and now at 176k miles.
After much research, and wanting to preserve some degree of the OEM ride quality, I am thinking of going with Bilstien B4 or Sachs super touring dampers.

Top mounts and front spring seats will be done at the same time. :B_thumb:
IPD do an uprated front spring seat , is it any good ? Stick with OE mate, they are good for 100k if the cars not abused.

Springs- I thought seeing as its all coming off, might as well slip some new springs in. I have searched into all your previous postings for what is available.
The ride height of the Eibach/ Apex/ H&R / Lesjofors dont appeal to me.
I do like how the stock V70R sits, but having consulted my local dealer , they say the springs from that car will not fit mine. Is this true ?
Alternatively, I do believe the factory offered a sport suspension option for the standard V70, lowered it by 10 -15mm, very subtle and I have seen some cars with this, which i like.
Where can I get those springs from ? Main dealer only

I would definitely advise you replace all 4 subframe bushes, wishbone bushes with Powerflex or OE if you want stock ride/feel. Ensure you also change the Top engine mount and the lower transmission torque mount with OE also. Fitting Poly to these will increase cabin noise and make the gear changes harsher. If its an auto, then go PF on the lower torque mount.
Don't neglect the rear bushes either. These will be mullered after 176k. Most of them can be replaced with Poly if you want by a good garage but allow 2 days and £400 to do them, cos some of them are a real Bast*rd to do.

[LLVM]

I have not had much luck trying to get the sport springs from the main dealer.
They say the software only allows them to search for chassis no/ reg no specific springs and it will only list the standard springs for mine.
Would anyone happen to have a part number for the OE sport springs ?

[graemewelch]

I have not had much luck trying to get the sport springs from the main dealer.
They say the software only allows them to search for chassis no/ reg no specific springs and it will only list the standard springs for mine.
Would anyone happen to have a part number for the OE sport springs ?


sports spring are eibach springs. the ride hight isnt to low and it still gives a nice ride. they are the only springs id fit to my car

[JamesT5]

[QUOTE=JamesT5;683938]Go for the PFV lowering kit, well worth it and it's been on my car for over a year.....

/QUOTE]
Hi James, good to know yours is doing well after a years use.
It is remarkable value for money, the kit uses Lesjofors springs and the spec sheet say 40mm drop, which is too much the type of ramps I need to clear.
Would be useful to see some more pics of your car from different angle.

Ok, here's some more then and I will say I'm impressed with the better handling and flatter cornering of the PFV kit......

http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/s562/_JamesT5/P1011106_zps91a49b69.jpg (http://s1306.photobucket.com/user/_JamesT5/media/P1011106_zps91a49b69.jpg.html)

http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/s562/_JamesT5/P1011083_zps13104086.jpg (http://s1306.photobucket.com/user/_JamesT5/media/P1011083_zps13104086.jpg.html)

http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/s562/_JamesT5/P1011358_zps6a4acc32.jpg (http://s1306.photobucket.com/user/_JamesT5/media/P1011358_zps6a4acc32.jpg.html)

http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/s562/_JamesT5/P1011046_zps92194649.jpg (http://s1306.photobucket.com/user/_JamesT5/media/P1011046_zps92194649.jpg.html)

http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/s562/_JamesT5/P1011056_zpsb3852855.jpg (http://s1306.photobucket.com/user/_JamesT5/media/P1011056_zpsb3852855.jpg.html)

http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/s562/_JamesT5/P1010924_zpsa004ec66.jpg (http://s1306.photobucket.com/user/_JamesT5/media/P1010924_zpsa004ec66.jpg.html)

http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/s562/_JamesT5/PIC_0086_zpse7982c67.jpg (http://s1306.photobucket.com/user/_JamesT5/media/PIC_0086_zpse7982c67.jpg.html)

[partsforvolvos.com]

the OE sport spring part numbers are 9492226 front and 9473385 rear.
I can see a problem though in that the sport kit contains nivomat rear dampers so these springs cannot be used on normal rear shox.

this was also the cars the phase 1 that had sport suspension included nivomats.

I'm not so sure about the dealer's advice that S60/V70R 04-07 springs would not physically fit. all that is different on them is the damping rate being magnetically controlled.
however, it is not something I have heard of being tried by anybody.

cost wise, most oe springs are about £80 each front, and £70 rear so aftermarket kits offer better value.
I would sway toward the eibach ones if you do not want the max possible drop. these are quoted at -30mm where as most others are -40mm for this model

nothing wrong with bilstein b4 shocks - these are standard rated not sport and we do a full front and rear kit.

[LLVM]

James 5T - your car does sit very nicely. I recall your previous posting about too much negative camber on the rear.
Did you fit the Camber adjustment kit from PFS to correct it ?

[M-R-P]

The negative camber is only slight and doesn't seem to affect the tyres on mine and mine sits a little lower (not a lot but 76mm lower than the plod suspension it used to have lol)...

http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g413/martinrpeachey/projects/DSCF6097_zps777f93ea.jpg (http://s1100.photobucket.com/user/martinrpeachey/media/projects/DSCF6097_zps777f93ea.jpg.html)

This is on Apex yellow springs. I wouldn't recommend them - they're very hard but I got them for £40 so I can't complain :)

[LLVM]

Hi Jamie,
I will be placing an order for all the suspension bits from you soon.
I assume you can get hold of the OE sport springs, but the part numbers your quoted for them-is that specific for the heavier D5 ?
If I read your post correctly, are saying that I can not use those OE sport springs with the Bilstein B4 ?

[M-R-P]

Hi Jamie,
I will be placing an order for all the suspension bits from you soon.
I assume you can get hold of the OE sport springs, but the part numbers your quoted for them-is that specific for the heavier D5 ?
If I read your post correctly, are saying that I can not use those OE sport springs with the Bilstein B4 ?

You'd need the correct nivomat shocks (expensive as hell) and nivomat top mounts as well as the springs.

[partsforvolvos.com]

yes I put the details in as a d5 to obtain these numbers. without the nivomat shocks though, the springs would be unsuitable for any other shock as these are self levelling units that take most of the actual load not the spring.

[JamesT5]

James 5T - your car does sit very nicely. I recall your previous posting about too much negative camber on the rear.
Did you fit the Camber adjustment kit from PFS to correct it ?

The negative camber isn't too bad in the long run, better handling and the extra tyre wear seemed virtually non-existent.

[silverhorse]

Car sits nicely there James. Get those bloomin wheels refurbed mate!! After you have done the clutch:yikes:

[JamesT5]

Car sits nicely there James. Get those bloomin wheels refurbed mate!! After you have done the clutch:yikes:

I know, the wheels are the last thing on my mind right now as you can well imagine. :scared:

[bubba_1986]

Sorry to bring up a old thread guys,

Lee and M.R.P

How is the PFV kit going.

The s60 i have the now i just done the top mounts and bearings on. Used IPD

Turns out the passengers shock is shot to s***e, even though i got a recepit when bought car saying it had been changed, NOT !

Anyhoo, since i just don't have the time to doo myself the now. I was thinking of just buying a whole new setup and putting it into my indy garage, at £275 for the kit it seems like a bargain but was a bit put off by lack of info on experience people have until found this thread.

My other option would be Bilstein B4 and eibach

What do you think, or anyone else advise ? . Need to get done asap as the car is now unstable as had to rebuild even though shock was goosed :-(

Cheers

Fraser

[LeeT5]

I don't have a PFV kit!

[Doingitsideways]

Eibachs and Billies all the way of you can afford it.
B4s are standard equivalent, B6s nice uprated jobbies, but not cheap.

I've not heard many good things said about the PFV kit, but if it gets you out of a hole...

Edit: Just noticed this is for a P2.
Never heard anything about the kits for these, have heard a couple of poor reviews for P1 kits, depends what you're looking for though I suppose.

[bubba_1986]

I don't have a PFV kit!

Sorry mate i meant to type James, similar car color opps

[LeeT5]

Sorry mate i meant to type James, similar car color opps

He won't reply. He's banned!

[Doingitsideways]

He won't reply. He's banned!

Again?

That has to be a personal best this time?!

[Orca2]

I am getting lost on the bilstein hunt, I have a set of 40 mm lowering springs for my V70 t5 its a 2002 P 2 , it looks like I should be going for B8's cos they are slightly shortened?
These were supposed to have been done at the start of the summer lol, but time ran out, I will have to get a solution before mot time as the front struts are shagged .

Advice gratefully received

[Doingitsideways]

B4s would probably cope fine with general road use, as long as your roads aren't completely shagged.

B6s better. Firmer and can handle a beating with the lowering stick and light to medium track use.

B8s, shortened dampers, a little more hardcore, more for serious drops without going for coilovers. heavy track use here, prob not very good at soaking much up on the road.


What make are your springs?

B6s work very well with Eibachs.

[Orca2]

Springs are lesjofors , 40mm drop, Fromm Bilsteins info , the B8's are their suggested struts, for lowering springs.
Most of my mileage is motorways with a little bit of twisties to more remote jobs.
PFV have a B8 kit for about £540 ...

[Doingitsideways]

I think B6s would be more than up to the job.
There's a good few on here running that kind of drop with them, with good results.
Ask Jamesy12345, or see his project thread in 70 series on his S70R, he was really impressed with them.
(You may have to change the search criteria as it may not come up straight away. Think it's been a while since he posted in the thread.)

[jamesy12345]

Aye me & Steve fitted B6/Eibach's to mine & they are pretty good...copes with ££££ty roads OK but not bad on the track either. Still a heavy car though so possible to unsettle it, if I try to throw it about. On an S70R this is as Steve says

[Orca2]

I had a look at that kit and its almost the same price as B8's , whats putting doubt in my mind is that Bilstein themselves actually recommend the B8's for lowering springs. I can live with the ride being a bit stiffer. ( fnaar fnaar ) , the bulk of mileage is motorways and tbh the only thing that the car lacks is the ability to corner at high speeds, mind you the original set up is totally gubbed now, so even standard replacement struts would show a vast improvement.

Edit.. I quite often carry moderateSometimes heavy loads in the car.

[jamesy12345]

I had a look at that kit and its almost the same price as B8's , whats putting doubt in my mind is that Bilstein themselves actually recommend the B8's for lowering springs. I can live with the ride being a bit stiffer. ( fnaar fnaar ) , the bulk of mileage is motorways and tbh the only thing that the car lacks is the ability to corner at high speeds, mind you the original set up is totally gubbed now, so even standard replacement struts would show a vast improvement.

I was really reluctant to get a stiffer set up esp on a heavy car. It WOULD drive me mad on our roads & piss me right off if I spent that kind of money to make the ride worse. Is there any chance you can get a go of someone's with the set ups you are considering......you'd be welcome to try mine if you are around but hardly the same

//edit secret project thread if anyone gives a toss about these P80 cars...

http://www.vpcuk.org/forums/showthread.php?59291-S70-r-1998

[bubba_1986]

He won't reply. He's banned!

Fair enough, not been back on here for long enough to work out what's going on.

[M-R-P]

I don't have the pfv kit either lol.

Apex yellows and boge automatic shocks.

[bubba_1986]

I don't have the pfv kit either lol.

Apex yellows and boge automatic shocks.

I'm totally confused, could have sworn when i read through it you had that kit

No matter anyway now lol, going for B4 and Eibach pro kit. Can get it from Germany for decent price

My head has been mush all day

Night all

[Orca2]

That is a cracking thread Jamesy, the car looks like great fun , shame about the two dodgy looking geezers working on it, I didnt know Steve ever took his shades off.. Like Bono, but talented.

[Doingitsideways]

That is a cracking thread Jamesy, the car looks like great fun , shame about the two dodgy looking geezers working on it, I didnt know Steve ever took his shades off.. Like Bono, but talented.

Bahahahahahaha!!!!

What you after?!

[Orca2]

Money... Throw fivers.

But seriously .. Being described as more talented than Bono, is really like being damned by faint praise.
Its like being a bit more handsome than the elephant man.