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.....

[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.
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=LLVM;683943]

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......

[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)...



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