Suspension: 2003 V70 ride height question

[2.4TSE]

If you own a P2 V70 with the factory fitted "lowered dynamic chassis" suspension and 225/45x17 tyres, please will you be kind enough to measure the front ride height of your car and post it here along with how you measured it (wheel arch to top of wheel rim, or whatever).

For the record my January 2003 V70 has Nivomats on the back but I don't think this changes the spec for the front suspension; A P2 V70 with Lowered Dynamic Chassis will have the same natural ride height at the front regardless of Nivomats or conventional dampers at the back.

Volvo UK Customer Relations have tried to help me but unfortunately don't have this information for my car.

Sincere thanks.

[2.4TSE]

If not a 2000-2007 V70 with the factory lowered suspension and 17" wheels, what about a 2000-2007 V70 with standard suspension and 17" wheels, please?

This will at least then tell me if what I suspect is correct, namely that my lowered springs have been accidentally replaced (one was broken) with standard springs.

TVM.

[Chauffeurdude]

I have a 2007 V70 D5 SE Sport with 225/45/17 wheels. Would this have the lowered suspension you mean? If so can measure it for you? Cheers.

[2.4TSE]

Thanks for the offer, Chauffeurdude. If it's the P2 generation (i.e. not the current V70 shape since the transition was in 2007), yes please.

I don't know your spec in detail, but whilst if the result is the same as mine it proves nothing, if it's lower it indicates that my thoughts are correct.

Cheers!

[Chauffeurdude]

Mine is a late registered '57' plate P2. Just measured from bottom edge of wing to tyre and it appears to be 60mm. I measured by placing a ruler across tyre to give you a flat reference point then measuring to bottom edge of wing. Figure quoted was same both sides so should be fairly accurate!! Hope this helps.

[2.4TSE]

Most helpful information, thank you, Chauffeurdude, and thanks too for taking the time to measure and reply.

The equivalent distance on my V70 is 73mm, so 13mm more than yours. Factor in that I have brand new (5 miles) tyres but I don't know what mileage yours have covered, and that the front ride height difference between standard and lowered suspension options is 15mm (confirmed by Volvo UK and not the 20mm that I recalled) and I think it proves my belief. The increase was very "in my face" the nano second I saw the car!

I also have high quality digital photographs taken when the car was brand new, and within the bounds of experimental error when "scaled" they too indicate a ride height increase today of between 15 and 18mm depending on which photograph I use.

[Chauffeurdude]

My front tyres are about half worn having done about 8000 miles since purchased car in December. Prob about 3-4 mm tread at a guess. Factor in that tyre difference and you are about right I would say. Anyway glad that helped. All the best.

[2.4TSE]

To conclude the thread with something that may help others in future.

The cause turned out to be that the Indy that did the work for me simply gave my car's details to their source of springs and trusted them to supply the correct one. Well, they did in terms of what the Sachs catalogue says, but not in terms of what is actually needed!

Unlike the web-based version (which doesn't list any spring for my car) the paper-based Sachs catalogue lists ONE spring for the entire P2 V70 range. Yes, it is a standard height spring.

In contrast, Volvo list EIGHT different springs, each depending on the exact model in question.

The Indy has been excellent about handling this and has now ordered genuine Volvo OEM springs using the exact part number that applies to my specific model build. In a separate thread I will post the eventual outcome including whether I notice any ride or handling differences afterwards; the car also had Bilstein B6 Sports front struts fitted, the need for new springs only becoming apparent when one was found to be broken near one end. This might explain the asymetric* bounce on hitting transverse ridges in the road that lead to me deciding to fit new struts!


*The car squirmed over such (very familiar to me) bumps with the left hand side front reacting more than the right hand side front, instead of the whole car just "duh-dum" thumping over them. It was the right hand coil spring that was broken.

[Andy]

My MY 2003 V70 D5 came with 'dynamic sports chassis' (DSC) and I changed my front shocks to Bilstein B6's but went for the heavy duty (HD) version, not the Sport. The sports and designed to go with lowering springs but I didn't feel the Volvo DSC offered enough of a drop to warrant them. The HD's are designed to go with standard height springs. I couldn't find any info when I made the change so just had to go with gut feeling.

The B6's are a superb shock, they seem to iron out smaller bumps but are great for pressing on.

I will post up my front ride heights if you are interested- currently running on 16' Metis and winter tyres.

The icing on the cake for me was fitting IPD anti roll bars and IPD drop links. Combined with the standard back end nivos and DSC springs it now handles superbly, I can highly recommend them.

http://www.ipdusa.com/Volvo-V70XC70-...-388-500-3139/

[bombay121]

Andy those wheels look amazing what size/style are they?

Cheers
Dan