[simboc2004]

Finally completed my Covid project to completely rebuild my front and rear suspension on my 119,000 mile D3/4 P3 V70. I wanted to fit Eibach Pro-Kit springs, lowering the ride about 30mm, and decided to renew everything else at the same time, with all the advice being that it was about the right time to renew and replace the running gear.

I took the line of replacing with OE quality or better (rather than genuine Volvo for all) and have fitted mainly Lemförder - track rod ends, one lower balljoint, replacement bolts and sundries - or Meyle - drop links. Those drop links are thicker than the standard ones. Nice! The replacement lower balljoint assembly necessitated grinding off and drilling out the three rivets holding the original in the control arm and then bolting on the new one. Not an easy job... New shocks are Bilstein B4s and all the rubber isolation pads and the top bearings were replaced for the front and rear springs and shocks assemblies. Interestingly it was much cheaper (and easier) to buy Ford Galaxy/Mondeo parts for this - and many turned out to be Volvo parts! I'd recommend this approach to anyone looking for suspension parts for P3s.

Whilst in bits I cleaned down any rust, coated with rust killer and painted over with satin black Smoothrite. All looks great. The brake calipers I cleaned and then painted with blue Smoothrite, added high heat vinyl stickers and overheated with enamel lacquer. Looks fabulous so far! Just needing some bigger wheels (mine are 17" Balders) to fill the arches of the more aggressive lower look.