V70: Suspension Stability

[Tony Rama]

Had this V70 P3 for a year. From day one it felt a bit top heavy and rocked a bit from side to side compared to the SAAB 9000 I had previously.

Are they all like that, or are the anti roll bar bushes weak?

And if so, is there an aftermarket solution for the roll bar chassis bushes which are moulded to the bar?

[simboc2004]

I think you can get Powerflex polyurethane bushes, but, for not much more, you can get a thicker anti roll bar (25mm) from HardRace - £250 on Bay with one reduced to £170 currently...). Or, for a lot more, you can get an IPD uprated roll bar from the USA...

I have seriously reduced the roll on my car by fitting Eibach pro springs all round (30mm height drop) and renewing all the shocks and drop links, etc. And I fitted a Volvo R Design top strut brace, which has really stopped the jiggles in corners on a bumpy road - they come up occasionally on Ebay ( V60 ones fit V70s too).

[simboc2004]

That's a rear anti-roll bar (or sway bar as the Americans call them...)

I'm tempted myself!

[simboc2004]

Also, what size wheels do you have? I changed from 17" wheels to 18" wheels on men and the lower profile tyres firmed up the handling too...

[Sotosound]

Originally Posted by Tony Rama

Had this V70 P3 for a year. From day one it felt a bit top heavy and rocked a bit from side to side compared to the SAAB 9000 I had previously.

Are they all like that, or are the anti roll bar bushes weak?

And if so, is there an aftermarket solution for the roll bar chassis bushes which are moulded to the bar?

First step ought to be to establish whether or not there is a problem.

There is some body roll with standard suspension - more so than with the equivalent Ford Mondeo - but, since we don't know how your Saab 9000 was, it is hard to say whether or not there is a problem.

When was it last MOT'd, and were there any advisories?

Also, perhaps, ring Horton Cars (in Oakley, Bucks) as they know both Saab and Volvo. The owner, Graham, could probably advise regarding 9000 versus P3 V70.

Finally, a drive in another standard V70 might help if that could be arranged.

[Simmy]

police spec sway bar is stiffer . the v70 is a family car and will never be a sports car sit back and enjoy the ride...

[Tony Rama]

Originally Posted by Sotosound

First step ought to be to establish whether or not there is a problem.

There is some body roll with standard suspension - more so than with the equivalent Ford Mondeo - but, since we don't know how your Saab 9000 was, it is hard to say whether or not there is a problem.

When was it last MOT'd, and were there any advisories?

August. No advisories. Asked specifically about bushes. Told all looked in order.

[Tony Rama]

Originally Posted by Simmy

police spec sway bar is stiffer . the v70 is a family car and will never be a sports car sit back and enjoy the ride...

I'm not after sports car handling. I had a V70 P1 for a while about 5 years back and it was more comfortable than this P3. Very smooth. Smoother than the SAAB. This P3 just doesn't feel right. Not had another car with this kind of wobble.

Thanks to everyone for your replies. I guess I need to compare it to another V70 P3 with the same 17" 225/50 tyres.

[Simmy]

rear trailing arm bushes are a known weak point on these and Mondeos check those first

[Olaf Els]

Originally Posted by Tony Rama

I guess I need to compare it to another V70 P3 with the same 17" 225/50 tyres.

Happy to give you a ride in my XC70 on 235/60 17 if the comparison would help. I don't think it rolls much or wobbles at all.