Modifying 2003 V70 D5...

[massivewangers]

I've had my '03 plate V70 for almost six months now and it's a great car, spacious, comfortable and well equipped. The fuel efficiency is ludicrously impressive for such a big heavy car, so generally I'm quite pleased with it.

However, my last car was a Mondeo ST220, which was obviously a bit more exciting to drive. Apart from the nice V6 petrol engine, my favourite thing about the ST was the way it drove, with nice crisp steering that gave lots of feedback. Obviously the Volvo is never going to be like that as it's a very different beast, but I was wondering what others have done to improve handling/steering feel on their cars and what options might be out there.

I don't want to totally spoil the ride on the car, as it is way better than the Mondeo, and I kind of like that, but it would be nice if it was a little more confidence inspiring when you're pushing on, so am willing to compromise a little comfort in the name of driving pleasure.

It's about to have an MOT and has a couple of front suspension knocks, so if things are going to need replacing, I figure now is probably the time to look at upgrades.

I'm interested in suspension changes, but also brakes too if there's an effective upgrade that can be borrowed from a newer/better model.

Once all this is done, then maybe I'll give in and have it remapped too!

[M-R-P]

Don't worry lads... I've got this

The knocks will most likely be the wishbone bushes. Here's what to do...Powerflexing the wishbones This alone will transform the feel of the front end, giving more feedback and more confidence through the corners. You can also change the other wishbone bushes, but I'd recommend Meyle HD bushes as the powerfles bushes make it a right bugger to get the wishbones back on the car. front wishbone rear bush fitting.

Brakes...
Dot 5.1 fluid and braded hoses are a good start. Then pick up a set of XC90 front calipers (the ones with 336mm disks), drill the mounting holes on the stub axles out to 14mm, fit standard OE 336mm XC90 disks with Mintex pads. These brakes will fit snugly under 17" wheels and believe me - they're bloody good.

[T5RatherAmusin]

id get the droplinks done while your at it.
also some decent tyres will build confidence to throw the car around some bends.
ive found the vredestein vorti work perfectly for the car

[Plodmonkey]

Uprate the suspension parts for volvo do a good kit also try get some strut braces they will make a good difference
http://www.partsforvolvosonline.com/...oducts_id=7668

[massivewangers]

Thanks for the quick responses. I'm sure this has been asked a thousand times but, due to working totally ridiculous hours, I don't have much time for searching so went for the lazy approach!

I am pretty convinced the knocking is coming from the wishbones, but going to get it up in the air later to confirm.

Weirdly it also knocks when you engage first gear, and when you change gear and come off the clutch (unless you're obscenely gentle).

I've done the upper engine mount along with the two bushes for the cross bar thing, but that didn't seem to fix it. I wonder if another mount is on the way out, but I've not really done any thorough investigations thus far.

As I say, with the MOT looming, it's time to fix a few niggles and I might as well upgrade as I go along.

Tyre-wise it has Pirelli P6000s, which are ok. Not the best, but at least they're not the usual ditchfinders you find on most used cars!

[massivewangers]

Just for my own sanity, if it does turn out to be the bushes, I guess it's these ones that you mean?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VOLVO-S60-...item27d47f917d

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volvo-V70-...item5653cf7d81

[M-R-P]

The knock when changing gear is one or both of the hub bolts needing tightening mate... Easy one that

[Redbrick]

I was wondering what others have done to improve handling/steering feel on their cars and what options might be out there.

I have a '52 D5 with 220K and this is what I've done:

IPD front and rear ARB's (rears not so important)
Meyle HD droplinks
Powerflex wishbone bushes
Standard rear nivomats
Bilstein B6 HD front shocks
'standard' dynamic sports chassis springs
235/40 18's most of the time
IPD upper engine torque bar mounts
Strut brace
Proper Volvo tracking adjusting the rear as well
305mm Volvo T5 brake discs
Volvo plod spec pads
Volvo standard brake fluid changed annually

In my experience 320's and dot 5.1 are totally unnecessary, I've never needed more than I have in day to day driving and the odd lap at Castle Combe. Destroyed my turbo; brakes were fine other than boiling the paint off my callipers!

FWIW P6000's have a terrible reputation.

[stribo]

Thanks for the quick responses. I'm sure this has been asked a thousand times but, due to working totally ridiculous hours, I don't have much time for searching so went for the lazy approach!

I am pretty convinced the knocking is coming from the wishbones, but going to get it up in the air later to confirm.

Weirdly it also knocks when you engage first gear, and when you change gear and come off the clutch (unless you're obscenely gentle).

I've done the upper engine mount along with the two bushes for the cross bar thing, but that didn't seem to fix it. I wonder if another mount is on the way out, but I've not really done any thorough investigations thus far.

As I say, with the MOT looming, it's time to fix a few niggles and I might as well upgrade as I go along.

Tyre-wise it has Pirelli P6000s, which are ok. Not the best, but at least they're not the usual ditchfinders you find on most used cars!

The knock when changing gear is one or both of the hub bolts needing tightening mate... Easy one that

If it's not the driveshaft bolts, it could be the torque mount bushes, between the engine and front of the subframe.

[M-R-P]

I used halfrauds manifold paint on my calipers

I don't know about the 320 kit but refurbished xc90 calipers can be bought for about 65 quid and I'm guessing the 320 calipers (same caliper, different hanger body) would be about the same. I got the whole kit - calipers, disks, steering limiter arms, pads and hoses for 125 quid just before I was planning to spend roughly the same money on 305mm disks and pads, so it was a no-brainer really. The stopping power is awesome and in about 6000 miles of driving since fitting them, there's now only slight signs of wear.

But the biggest plus for me with the 336 kit is bling - they look effin' massive behind my alloys

[M-R-P]

If it's not the driveshaft bolts, it could be the torque mount bushes, between the engine and front of the subframe.

Possible but when the smaller bush failed, I didn't get any noise at all, I only spotted it when I was under the car, changing the recirc valve.

[stribo]

Possible but when the smaller bush failed, I didn't get any noise at all, I only spotted it when I was under the car, changing the recirc valve.

I get it in the C70, and I don't have driveshaft bolts.

[M-R-P]

That's just your coilivers jumping about. "CLANG"

[stribo]

That's just your coilivers jumping about. "CLANG"

Since I lowered it at the weekend, it's all gone quiet.

[M-R-P]

That's because you can't put enough turn on the steering to get it to clang any more lol.

[stribo]

That's because you can't put enough turn on the steering to get it to clang any more lol.

That's true, it's as bad as the R now. lol

[M-R-P]

That bad? Bugger that

[stribo]

That bad? Bugger that

Won't be for long though as I have some 15mm spacers to go on all round, then Ikea West Quay car park will be a piece of cake.

[M-R-P]

Full lock in the sweed

[stribo]

Full lock in the sweed

Not tried it in the R, don't want to get stuck.