S60 Suspension: Suspension refresh at 135k

[ilmiont]

I'm planning another big spend (hopefully the last for a while) on my 54-plate S60 2.5T. It's now at 135k, nearing 136k, with almost 1,500 miles covered in the past month. With Bank Holidays coming up, it's going to keep climbing. (I drive purely for leisure which involves a lot of B-roads.)

The service history is patchy but the suspension is generally original. The nearside front shock absorber was replaced at 95k - I suppose it must have failed or hit a pothole as the offside wasn't changed with it.

I've owned the car 11 months and 6k miles. The ride is OK on good roads but will wallow at speed. There is a noticeable nose dip and lift under heavy acceleration/braking and you can sometimes feel the car bounce a little on coming to a stop. The ride feels a bit crashy over a rough surface. Road holding around bends actually still seems good; it is on new Michelin Pilot Sport 4 which are perhaps helping the aged shocks along.

I'm currently planning the following:

- All shocks (Sachs)
- All top mounts (Volvo)
- Front spring seats (Volvo)
- Drop links (probably Volvo)
- 4 wheel alignment afterwards (already overdue really, but the car does track dead straight)

Anything else which should be done? The Volvo specialist I take the car to has previously said there's nothing that "needs" doing. Passed MOT earlier in the month.

Mileage is now rising rapidly with the relaxed travel restrictions and better weather. I'd like the car to be at its best ahead of the summer but obviously don't want to spend anything more than necessary.

[marcb]

These cars do not have a great ride - the suspension and steering are the weak points in my view, having had two p2 V70s including the current 2005 2.5T. These are not 'drivers cars' but are excellent on good road surfaces and at cruising speed and only OK on minor roads, and can be jittery on poor surfaces (low profile 17 inch tyres don't help).

So I'd say if you are expecting a transformation you may be disappointed.

Our current V70 has powerflex bushes in the wishbones which has combated wear and it does feel a bit better than the previous V70 (2001 model) from memory.

[tykesi]

Following this post, my V70 feels exactly as you describe so I'm thinking of doing the same. I quite fancy Bilstein B4s over the Sachs but would like better feel in the front end, less crashy, more direct steering etc.

[stuart bowes]

yup same here, mines only 56k but it's definitely what I would call saggy, especially at the rear end.

mostly noticeable over speed bumps, front bump.. rear bump.. bounce bounce bounce bounce bounce then settles

other than that though it seems fairly planted

I am used to quite stiff cars though, I generally lower them or put firmer gear in

I was wondering if new springs or shocks (esp. at rear) might stiffen things up, are there options for replacing with the R ones or something

[ilmiont]

Originally Posted by marcb

These cars do not have a great ride - the suspension and steering are the weak points in my view, having had two p2 V70s including the current 2005 2.5T. These are not 'drivers cars' but are excellent on good road surfaces and at cruising speed and only OK on minor roads, and can be jittery on poor surfaces (low profile 17 inch tyres don't help).

So I'd say if you are expecting a transformation you may be disappointed.

I know these cars have always had somewhat stiff suspension; I'm not expecting it to transform into the world's best B-road car. I'm just increasingly conscious that it's not what it could be - stuart's "bounce bounce bounce and then settles" over speed bumps echoes my experience too. My rear is also worse than the front - you can hit a lump in the road and think "that wasn't too bad"... then the back hits it an instant later and the car feels momentarily unsettled.

I just want it more stable and consistent really; it's a bit unpredictable at the moment. It will accelerate around a tightening bend at 60mph+ satisfactorily, then be unsettled and dipping its nose at a relatively minor bump in the road.

Originally Posted by tykesi

Following this post, my V70 feels exactly as you describe so I'm thinking of doing the same. I quite fancy Bilstein B4s over the Sachs but would like better feel in the front end, less crashy, more direct steering etc.

I've looked at Bilstein B4s and decided against as there's several posts saying they create a slightly stiffer ride. I know any new shocks are going to make it stiffer - which is fine and welcomed - but I don't really want anything that might be stiffer than stock. Although I do like to drive fast on twisty roads, I also like to do that all day long (sometimes 300+ miles). I know these cars have never been seen as all-out "drivers cars" but that said, the S60 actually provides exactly what I'm looking for in such a car... which is why I bought it. An all-day tourer that will let you do 350 miles in a day, on all kinds of roads, and get you home without any discomfort, while letting you have a good measure of fun along the way. That's my experience so far, anyway.

Nobody seems to be raising objection to the list though or saying anything else should be done?

Droplinks will probably now be Meyle and not Volvo as they're much cheaper (currently £65 for all four on PartsForVolvos, instead of £60 each genuine Volvo quoted by my specialist), and seem to be well-liked as slightly uprated parts with a long warranty.

[stuart bowes]

well I remember the trick with the old 360

landrover shocks at the back sorted it out a treat

for example...

note that dimensions etc would need to be confirmed first

round at the bottom, pin at the top.

[Georgeandkira]

A car's ride elicits descriptive commentary like no other subject on Earth.

If anyone has an objection to this man and his selected parts being joined in holy assembly, speak now or forever hold his peace.

The Sachs SuperTourings -said to be close to the original shocks- were very disappointing on my '02. I had no illusions of creating a "sports estate".
The Bilstein B6 I installed did the trick on my '07. Since the B4 was said to be close to original too I decided to reprise what I had done on a Saab 9-5 (with tremendous success). Go for the B6. They'll break in.

The only thing drop links do is their job. They live a long, quiet life or fail early.

THE THING you want to do if you want to feel the car better is upgrade your front anti roll bar. It's a bigger job which entails lowering the rear side of the engine subframe. I've never done it but I've read it is the most effective of mods. Go to IPDUSA just to look at what they are and how much they cost.

The front control arm poly bushings added a beautiful touch of control. I wouldn't use the word stiffness. I only wish I could find polys for my '07's steel arms.

[stuart bowes]

I don't really fell that the poly-bushing improved 'ride quality' as such which i think is the main aim here .. accuracy of steering, less jitter, 100% agreed

but in terms of smoothness, comfort, springiness without endless rebound.. it's not an easy thing to do, it's weird because new cars and all taught and nicely sprung but you take an old car and try to do the same, you need new EVERYTHING. and even then it still feels baggy

go too stiff with it and it feels like the whole thing is falling apart

that's why i think i will try the landy shocks (if the length is correct) because it's a small touch which tries to correct 1 thing (rear suspension 'reverb' if you like). they are designed for a much heavier car, it isn't expecting too much, and the cost is nominal

will give that a go at some point over the next few months and see what happens

[Georgeandkira]

I did my shock job early and still have my original rears.
How I wish I could send them to you for a free and easy comparison.

It will be interesting to see how rear shocks for a heavier vehicle perform in yours.

[tykesi]

Well by luck I've only just found out today after my original comment on this thread that my car came with Nivomats so my plan for Bilstein all round may be on hold, I might jsut be looking at the front. Need to get it in the air to check if the rears have been changed from Nivomat and if not what the condition is.

Will have to have a re-think if they're still on.