Bilstein B4 shocks

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by Allgoode

Whats the consensus on best brand shocks for a 2009 V70 then.
Not Volvo maindealer though as already have a mortgage,

Volvo don't manufacture shocks. If you go to the main dealer, they'll sell you Sachs shocks in a Volvo box and charge you more because its in Volvo packaging. The Sachs shocks you buy aftermarket are identical to the ones the main dealer sell.

As simboc said above, Sachs or Bilstein are good brands to go for.

Just be aware that if your car is an R design spec, it'll have nivomat rear shocks. These aren't the same as standard shocks. Nivomat's are very expensive, roughly £500 each.

[Richard240]

I appreciate this is a V70 conversation, but in case anyone's a 240 owner looking for new shocks then my experience may help. In pursuit of passing an MOT last autumn I ordered two pairs of Bilstein B4s all round "BILSTEIN - B4 OE Replacement 21-030314 Shock absorber (front) and BILSTEIN - B4 OE Replacement 19-019529 Shock absorber (rear)" which the Autodoc website listed as good for my 1993 240 estate. The garage noted how my old ones looked a lot chunkier than what I'd given them to fit in, and how the car sat a bit lower at the back. It got worse. Driving with a moderate load sinks the rear of the car so significantly that at night I get endlessly head lamp flashed by drivers coming towards me who assume my dipped headlights are on full beam. I've not solved this yet, but am on here in pursuit of a solution! Advice / pointers welcome.

[eternal optimist]

Originally Posted by Richard240

I appreciate this is a V70 conversation, but in case anyone's a 240 owner looking for new shocks then my experience may help. In pursuit of passing an MOT last autumn I ordered two pairs of Bilstein B4s all round "BILSTEIN - B4 OE Replacement 21-030314 Shock absorber (front) and BILSTEIN - B4 OE Replacement 19-019529 Shock absorber (rear)" which the Autodoc website listed as good for my 1993 240 estate. The garage noted how my old ones looked a lot chunkier than what I'd given them to fit in, and how the car sat a bit lower at the back. It got worse. Driving with a moderate load sinks the rear of the car so significantly that at night I get endlessly head lamp flashed by drivers coming towards me who assume my dipped headlights are on full beam. I've not solved this yet, but am on here in pursuit of a solution! Advice / pointers welcome.

I’ve answered on your other post.

[simboc2004]

Sounds like nivomats replaced with standard shocks. Upgrade the springs to non-nivo spec and all should be restored. Or replace with nivomats if you can find any - and your wallet can cope!

[Kev0607]

Just wondering... If you replace the rear shocks and shock mounts on a P3 Volvo with standard suspension, do you need to get an alignment done afterwards?

The rear shocks aren't like the fronts. The front ones are McPherson, so the shock and spring are all one unit and you have to compress the spring to change the mounts.

The back is independent... the shock is on its own and the spring is part of the control arm. Different design, so no spring compressor required.

Is it just a case of removing the old shocks/mounts on the rear and fitting the new ones, or do I have to consider alignment?

[Georgeandkira]

No alignment is needed in your case.
NOTE: Even though "shock mounts" have been mentioned often, none of my rears ever had 'em! There was no rear mount to change, ever.
Once there was an 'adapter plate', of sorts.
It looked like it was there to fill a stamped hole which was made extra-big to allow, perhaps, for a thicker shock. It was a plate which could not wear.

I should add that I do not have a P3.

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by Georgeandkira

No alignment is needed in your case.
NOTE: Even though "shock mounts" have been mentioned often, none of my rears ever had 'em! There was no rear mount to change, ever.
Once there was an 'adapter plate', of sorts.
It looked like it was there to fill a stamped hole which was made extra-big to allow, perhaps, for a thicker shock. It was a plate which could not wear.

I should add that I do not have a P3.

Thanks for your reply.

On the P3, there's definitely mounts for the rear shocks. Totally different to the front ones though. Your car may be different.