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Rear shock absorber is this right?

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Old Apr 18th, 2012, 17:37   #31
skyship007
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Exclamation Dangerous failures.

Hi Folks,
A few points about suspension jobs, is that you must always change both sides and although I don't know the exact type of unit involved, this means a combined spring and shock are required, BUT once they have been removed it is very important to inspect the mounts above for corrosion, clean the areas and apply some waxoyl etc. Most more modern cars don't suffer corrosion around the upper mounts like they used to in the old days, but it is worth paying attention to corrosion of the springs at the bottom where they tend to fail first. Don't take any chances on front springs in particular, as it is possible to get a spring break higher up and then have one part dig into a wheel, which results in a very dramatic loss of control.
In terms of the replacement parts I would not take chances on the front and fit real top quality Volvo or a brand with a top quality reputation, if you have to save money the rear is less critical. The car must always be realined after a change.
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Old Apr 18th, 2012, 17:56   #32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skyship007 View Post
Hi Folks,
A few points about suspension jobs, is that you must always change both sides and although I don't know the exact type of unit involved, this means a combined spring and shock are required, BUT once they have been removed it is very important to inspect the mounts above for corrosion, clean the areas and apply some waxoyl etc. Most more modern cars don't suffer corrosion around the upper mounts like they used to in the old days, but it is worth paying attention to corrosion of the springs at the bottom where they tend to fail first. Don't take any chances on front springs in particular, as it is possible to get a spring break higher up and then have one part dig into a wheel, which results in a very dramatic loss of control.
In terms of the replacement parts I would not take chances on the front and fit real top quality Volvo or a brand with a top quality reputation, if you have to save money the rear is less critical. The car must always be realined after a change.
If you read the thread both springs were replaced and the rear wheels were aligned. Having seen the springs I can tell you there is no visible difference between the Volvo and aftermarket springs and KYB are OEM spec for many manufacturers anyway. http://www.kyb-europe.com/spring-coils.html

"KYB is the worlds largest supplier of shock absorbers to vehicle manufacturers, with 1 in 4 of all vehicles leaving production lines worldwide fitted with KYB as standard. KYB is also the largest OE shock absorber supplier in Europe"


I'm also design engineer who is completing a PhD I wouldn't fit inferior parts, the springs fitted were sold by a well established reputable motor factors with stores all over the Midlands in England. There is no need to fit genuine springs if you can source OEM quality parts, the manufacturing processes will be the same as will the material compostion. The Volvo ones won't be made by Volvo anyway they will be made by a third party and were over three times the price. However I wouldn't recommend buying such parts off Ebay as these could be cheap imports that don't match UK standards and you have less comeback.

Do you fit genuine brake pads and disks? I don't I would rather fit brake parts made by braking specialists such as Brembo and Ferrodo, for the same money as geniune parts.

These were also rear springs, when front springs go in the middle you definetly hear it I had it happen on a Focus it snapped in the middle and you could hear grinding when turning the steering wheel it is much more obvious that something has gone wrong. Than a rear spring that has gone at the bottom.

Also a new combined spring and shock is not required, if a spring is damaged you replace both springs. If a shock absorber is damaged you replace both shocks not the shocks and springs. There is no need, it's wasteful they are independant units.

Stop trying to scare people.
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Last edited by mcouchard; Apr 18th, 2012 at 18:02.
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Old Apr 18th, 2012, 18:44   #33
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Agreed, there is no reason to change the shock absorber if it is still working fine! The boys at f1 would have told you if there was any problem. You have changed both rear springs at the same time as advised so i really would't worry!!
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Old Apr 18th, 2012, 22:16   #34
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FAMOUS LAST WORDS??
The Volvo parts guy also said it would make a knocking noise if it was damaged and it doesn't yet.

Evenin All,
Since when was a Volvo parts guy qualified to comment about the safety aspects or symptoms of a suspension fault??
Most of them are either Geeks that are fast typers and Internet searchers who read a lot of dirty car mags. They might have heard a lot of similar stories but have not inspected the car with a trained eye and brain.
Some of them are former mechanics kicked off the shop floor for failing to spot safety errors, faults, botched jobs and even breaking things.
The question you broken suspension, steering, iffy brakes, poor lights and fuel leakers have to ask yourselfs, is do you look feel lucky? well, do you Volvo lovers!
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Old Apr 18th, 2012, 22:28   #35
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Firebolt! sorry to get you through here... cant pm you, just saying thanks for the heads up on the strut brace!
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Old Apr 18th, 2012, 22:45   #36
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Hang on a second!!! I know the dealsership in question!! I have bought many parts from them for the 850 T5 I used own and I can assure you that the staff of the parts department in question are highly trained and super professional!!!

I have worked in the motor trade for the last 15 years, mostly around the Leicester area. I have delt with Sturgess Parts department on a personal and professional level and I think you are being very unfair to anyone in the motor trade!!!

I am greatly offended that you think people who work in the parts departments of main dealers are geeks who read dirty mags all day!! As a former Parts Advisor and Service Manager for various dealerships I can assure you that some of us are trained to a very high standard and have a very good working knowledge of the cars we deal with!!

I am sorry to be coming off as harsh against your personal opinion but as everything you have said on this thread is rubbish, I find it very unfair of you to then attack what I and many others do and have done for a living!!
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Old Apr 18th, 2012, 23:38   #37
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You may find that the guys in parts know what part tend to fail alot since they spot a trend.. since they might sell alot of them? When you talk to them they also tend to know what the mechainics do to correct certain faults as there the guys suppling them :P

Any way i have lists of horror stories where i have correctly diagnosed problems when trained motor techinicans have not but im not going on.

But i would say if i had a broken spring i would change it and inspect the shock while its off. Vise versa for the shock, i wouldnt change both unless i was upgrading :P
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Old Apr 19th, 2012, 10:31   #38
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I recognised the parts guys voice on the phone, I have dealt with him a number of times in person his extremely helpful, always goes the extra mile very knowledgable and professional, his even given me free bolts etc before.

His a decent bloke and not a scare mongerer like you are Skyship. Do yourself a favour and put down the spade you seem to be digging a rather large hole with.

I know Germany have tighter regulations than the UK when it comes to repairs especially in regard to tyres, but they also allow you to drive at much higher speeds on the unrestricted Autobauns compared to our careful and considered 70mph maximum speed limit, I think perhaps there is a correlation.

By the way whilst you are slagging off the UK motor trade what are your qualifications to support what you are saying?
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