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PV, 120 (Amazon), 1800 General Forum for the Volvo PV, 120 and 1800 cars

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1962, 544 hard suspension

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Old Mar 4th, 2021, 23:11   #1
adarvasi
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Default 1962, 544 hard suspension

As some of you know I totally restored my car recently, I find the rear suspension really hard. I had an IPD sway bar and took it off, I had installed gas shocks and changed them for the original Monroes, it has improved some, but still quite uncomfortable on bumpy roads.
The springs are new and stock, all bushings are new, as well as all bearings, fasteners, etc.
Any ideas?
Thank you
Andres
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Old Mar 5th, 2021, 00:19   #2
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Well I guess one answer would be "Welcome to 1962"!
When you did your suspension rebuild did you leave all of the suspension just loosely tightened? There is a need to tighten all of the pivoting arm fixings when the car is sitting at it's normal resting position. A couple of 100lb bags of something on the front seats and half a tank of gas is a good idea too while you go round and torque down all of the nuts and bolts. When the car first comes down off the jack stands give it a good bouncing as a first job to settle the bushes. Did you use poly anywhere? They will harden the suspension a bit too. What tyre pressures are you running? 26-28 front and 28-30psi rear perhaps. For comfort use the lower pressures. PV is lighter than the Amazon so perhaps PV owners may like to comment.
Rob at Amazon cars has just done a PV grease up up video that you might find interesting.
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Old Mar 5th, 2021, 02:02   #3
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Thank you Derek, good advice! I did not retorque any bolts, will do it
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Old Mar 5th, 2021, 10:23   #4
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For what it's worth my PV has standard suspension and on bumpy roads it doesn't give the best of rides. Your IPD bar removal wouldn't have any effect on the suspension as it's only a passenger on straight roads. The car rides much smoother with a passenger. Try putting something heavy in the trunk,it will make a difference. ie. a bag of sand or similar.
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Old Mar 5th, 2021, 14:24   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by adarvasi View Post
Thank you Derek, good advice! I did not retorque any bolts, will do it
Loosen enough to take the tension off the bushes. Give the car a really good bouncing and retighten after it's settled. I'll repeat about have some weight in the car when you do this. You could do the front first and then do the back.
I agree with what George says about the ARB. It shouldn't affect the ride during normal driving. It is what it is, an anti roll bar, not a suspension stiffener.
Bag of sand in the back often used to get more traction in the snow, something you are unlikely to have problems with unless you were current living in Texas. Adding some weight under the rear seat squab either side of the tunnel would be neater, bring the weight nearer the centre of the car and also give you your boot back.
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Old Mar 5th, 2021, 15:28   #6
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Did you fit poly bushes or standard rubber?

(I assume you've done the obvious and made sure the vehicle isn't sitting on bump stops? Don't wish to "teach you to suck eggs" but the number of times I've seen a thread where basic things have been missed - armchair diagnosis can be pretty hit and miss)
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Old Mar 6th, 2021, 00:39   #7
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Army,I always appreciate yours and everybody's advice and comments. It’s not sitting on bump stops, but it could have been!
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Old Mar 6th, 2021, 10:09   #8
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When you say uncomfortable on bumpy roads do you mean hard spine jolting or sea sickness inducing?
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Old Mar 6th, 2021, 12:05   #9
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Quote:
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When you say uncomfortable on bumpy roads do you mean hard spine jolting or sea sickness inducing?
Hard spine jolting, the front is OK, but the rear end hits hard in every bump of the road, hard to describe. Perhaps it’s like an empty pick up truck with over inflated tires.
Will try putting some weight in the back and see
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Old Mar 6th, 2021, 12:17   #10
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I can't remember if you ever drove the car before you restored it.

Can you reproduce the effect by having someone bounce on the back of the car with the vehicle not moving?

If so a video camera might be helpful in seeing what is happening.

(Still like to know about poly bushes!)
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