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S60 R Suspension Problems

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Old Apr 9th, 2010, 08:25   #21
jakewolfson
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Default S60R - tramming and stepping

Hi Guys - am new here but having the same problems as you with S60R 2005 - formerly the Volvo Sales Manager's car. So I am posting here my extracts over the last couple of days from postings on another site of Volvo car owners. I haven't tried any of the recommendations here yet to solve my on problems:
EXTRACTS FROM http://www.v70r.com/forums/index.php
Highlighting the problems with both ‘tramming’ and ‘stepping’

I purchased a used 2006 S60R about 6 months ago with 41K miles ... My complaint is that the steering is erratic on the highway, bordering on dangerous. It gets pulled sideways on uneven pavement, to the point where I need to keep both hands on the wheel at all times for safety. I've had it looked at three times. One shop replaced a tie rod end and did an alignment, and the steering problem was definitly improved as a result, however it's still not right. The local Volvo shop says that's just the way it is due to the wide tires***. Other than this problem, I really like the car, but will be getting rid of it if I can't get this resolved. Any insight and/or helpful hints would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

04-May 08 Location:Tennessee Posted 08 December 2008 - 11:30 PM

Interesting. I don't have an answer or a solution, but just to share my thoughts.

I have noticed that at high speeds (70mph+) it seems to 'dance' over rough pavement. I just tried to ignore it assuming that it had been in an accident (and since I bought it used already - nothing I can do - useless carfax) and since I LOVE the car otherwise I can live with it as the roads around here don't have to deal with the rough winters, and I only really noticed it on a trip up 'north' where the roads are worse. It was actually bumpy enough to disengage the cruise at one time, although I wouldn't say dangerous.

***My last car had tires almost as wide and I never felt anything as bad, (225 vs 235 on my S60R - less than half inch difference). So I don't know if I would buy the dealership's story, ... I should point out this is in comfort mode, as I usually switch to comfort for distance driving.

26-April 08 Location:Connecticut Posted 13 December 2008 - 01:23 AM

****I'm not convinced it has anything to do with the size/width of the tires. If the tread on the outside of the tire is really sticky, the car will naturally be pulled out to where the road dips and bumps. I too noticed this when I bought mine brand new. Very unnerving when you're driving an expensive sports car and you get pulled to where the bumps are on the highway... You might want to dig a little deeper because if you are willing to sell this car over what could be a case of tire tramming, then you might have some other issues the Volvo techs are missing. The fact that they are willing to dismiss it as "just the way it is" would definitely stir my interest in finding out what's really going on inside. (bad suspension, awd etc, etc).

16-July 07 Locationevon PA Interests:Cars in general and I SELL Volvos Posted 13 December 2008 - 02:30 AM

If you're running the OEM Pirelli P Zeros they wander all over the place, even when new.
If that's what you have, GET RID OF THEM NOW.
It's a horrible tire and not matched well to the R's suspension and steering
04-May 08 Location:Tennessee Posted 16 December 2008 - 07:58 PM

JRL, on Dec 12 2008, 08:30 PM, said:

So far I have got a recommendation for Toyo Proxxes 4 any other suggestions?

16-July 07 Locationevon PA Interests:Cars in general and I SELL Volvos Posted 16 December 2008 - 09:37 PM

You replace them with almost ANY OTHER TIRE than the P ZEROS.
They just do not work on these cars.

I've used the Michelin Pilot/Sport-All Season for years now, great tire, sticks almost as well as a dry performance tire and tracks dead straight and true.

(Also rides much nicer)

They (Michelin) just came out with an P/S A/S PLUS, supposedly an even better/stickier tire
I stayed with Pirelli, but changed to the P Zero Nero M&S and am pleased. I like my Michelins on my Jeep, but had a bad experience with them on my S70 T5.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 2008 - 03:03 PM

16-January 08 Location:Newtown, CT Posted 19 December 2008 - 02:27 PM

The Toyo Proxxes 4 is a good tire, like I said in the last thread. They perform very well in the dry and wet weather. The flame tread looks sweet too.

16-May 09 Posted 16 May 2009 - 03:17 PM
I have just purchased a 2005 r and have experienced the same problem the car kinda walked on me very unnerving to say the least cant remember if it was on comfort or sport
16-July 07 Locationevon PA Interests:Cars in general and I SELL Volvos Posted 19 May 2009 - 09:24 PM

04-May 08 Location:Tennessee Posted 06 June 2009 - 12:28 AM

I bought new tires, Yokohama AVID WS4, it helped but did not make the problem go away. I had a loaner from the dealership (regular s60) and I didn't notice it, so either it has to do with the 18" wheels (I have never driven a car with such low profile TIRES before) or something is wrong with my car. Either way I am not going to change either.

I do agree that the P-Zeros are not good with the R, not to mention they wear out too fast, but just switching to another tire doesn't seem to completely fix the uneasy feeling over the bumps.

Did you properly align the car? They go out of alignment often.
R's are very touchy to alignment AND tire pressures.

10-June 08 Location:Worcestershire, UK Posted 23 August 2009 - 08:14 PM

Hello all,

Ok so here goes, I bought my 2005 S60 R last March. I loved it, after owning it for a couple of weeks, I experienced the back end stepping out a little when going over the slightest uneven surface.

I thought its time to get the tracking done, so I went to Volvo in Gloucester in the UK and ... And I also told the service assistant about my problem about it stepping out.

So for the stepping out issue, I told them to make the tracking perfect and ask them to please perform any software updates which need to be done. I also read on one of the forums that since the release of the 2003 S/V60 R that first came out with version 1 software for the 4C, since then until last year there have been update to version 4.

I got them to update the software for the 4C, and at the time I had the factory Pirelli PZero's fitted all round which the car came with and they had at least 5mm all round. After the first attempt for the suspension the steering was out slightly, so I got them to check it and adjust it again.

Since the fluids were changed the car felt a lot smoother and the stepping out issue had been resolved which was a huge releif for me as it made me quite nervous when I would go around a bend and the back end would twitch.

I am sure if you were to go to your dealer and ask them to look up for software updates for your car and to get the car retracked I hope that should solve your problem as it did mine. As 'JRL' said the car can go out of track on the worst of bumps I know here in the UK, the roads are awful. I take it as a sign that if it steps out a little the tracking needs to be adjusted.

Also another thing I have read in the past is that worn bushes can cause play in the handling and could also make the rear step out, after all the traction is transferred all the time. The bushes iare the next thing I will check. Overall that service was the biggest bill I have ever paid out, but I was extremely happy with the results.

Since last March, I changed to Goodyear Eagle F1 GS D3 which were fantastic, I got 16k out of them and I think for our cars that is very good. I am currently running Goodyear Eagle F1 Assymetrics and so far 3k onwards they are performing very well. Oh and just to let you know, I have the Graphite Pegs on mine with the standard 235/40's on them.

You could read more on here which has a couple of links with more information,

http://www.volvoforu...ht=S60+stepping

I hope this helps, and my apologies for the long post.

Roy
16-July 07 Locationevon PA Interests:Cars in general and I SELL Volvos Posted 24 August 2009 - 02:01 AM

Bad move IMO
I've had ALL SUM software revisions and the earlieST was the best.
The are new rear control arm bushings that some seem to think help.
Also align the rear with 0 toe, that also helps.

#17 roy chu

10-June 08 Location:Worcestershire, UK Posted 25 August 2009 - 03:36 PM

I think JRL is right, I did have my rear bushes replaced at the same time as all my fluids and tracking was done.

I guess if you notice a little side step, its a warning for the tracking to be done, doing it once or twice a year doesn't hurt.

The bushes must be rubbish to have worn so badly at 47k. Or maybe it was the previous owner.

#18 wilsonkevin

10-October 09 Posted 10 October 2009 - 10:18 AM

Thats really strange....It is needed to be checked.

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07-December 08 Posted 10 March 2010 - 05:46 PM

Hello All,

Sorry for not updating on my original issue ...

a Volvo dealer when I was away on a business trip found that the strut mount bushings were worn. They replaced them, and did another alignment, and after that it was 90% better. I also replaced the tires with Michelin pilot AS, and they seem to have a much nicer ride than the original Pirellis.

I now have 73K miles, and am noticing trouble again. Not as bad as before, but still not good. I have also noticed that the traction control doesnt appear to be on by default. There's a push button on the console that engages it, and that seems to seriously improve the tracking issue. I've seen some chat here about angle gears, haldex, etc. that may also be a problem. I think it's time for a checkup at a Volvo dealer again. And lots of $$$.

Thanks for the earlier inputs!

Steve
there is rubbing on the inside wall from the tire tread when i do sharp turns.
Do I need to buy new rims and go to the stock (235/45/17)? I currently have 235/40ZR18 on now. Eagle F1 all season Goodyears for tread. I want my turning radius back and the noise to go away, suggestions please.

I had this problems with the last 3 sets of fronts i had on my S60R I have had Vredestein 234/45 18 fitted this time, and absolutely no rubbing at all, so these will be standard fit for me now

Yeah, the rubbing is annoying. The 18" wheels I bought have a 35mm offset. I'm using the GOODYEAR 235/40/18 Eagle F1 Asymmetrics and have no rubbing.

wouldn't worry about it. The rubbing isn't hurting anything. 18 inch wheels are better for handling and looks. 17s better for the snow. The stock tires on the car are GARBAGE. I burned through mine in less than 15,000. And they are way over priced. I have a set of Toyo proxxes 4. I love them.
BF goodrich makes good tires as well. I just don't think its worth giving up the 18 inch wheels just because of a little rub.

goodyears are way better than the Pirelli's
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Old Apr 13th, 2010, 19:35   #22
Libra
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This sounds like side hop that is very very common amongst S60R and V70R owners. Some R's do it more than others. Quite a few people in the US of A have modified their suspension with either sport springs, up rated ARB's to different SUM calibration software and tweaked 4 wheel alignment to try and stop the car of the car side hopping, but some still have the same problem. Its just one of those things that is unique to the R's.

Quote:
Originally Posted by pgainham View Post
Hi all, this is my first post on the board so treat me as the 'naive newbie' for now ;-)
I have owned a manual S60 R since September and have covered approx 3000 miles. I have noticed since pretty early on that the rear suspension just does not seem right - when driving over bumpy surfaces, the car has a trend to 'jump' to the left or right as if their is a problem with the set-up (this occurs in comfort, sport and advanced modes).
The local dealership have replaced one of the rear shock absorbers which improved things - but the issue is still there.
I am in the process of getting it booked in again for further checks - hust wondered if anybody has seen / heard of similar or whether it is just down to my usual bad luck with cars.

I moved from an S2000 to the S60R so am very used to sports suspension and handling - this car just does not seem right.

Paul
To the comment above about tyres and using different brands, yes is fine, but the OE tyres - Pirelli PZero Rosso - have been set-up with the 4C chassis.

Last edited by Libra; Apr 13th, 2010 at 19:58.
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Old Apr 19th, 2010, 14:07   #23
roy chu1
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pgainham, this is a clear case of side hop. As it says in the above post, I bought my car in March 2008 and I experienced unnerving side stepping. Felt very scarey.

I I got the tracking done and it still happened. I then booked it for a service for all oils to be changed.

In then end, the bushs on the rear control arms were changed... they told me they used the police spec bushes. After ther tracking was done again I made sure they upgraded the software.

It sured the problem, brilliant. Here we are 2 years later and it is great, however after the bushes have been changed if you experience side hop again, its a sign that tracking needs to be done. I have side hope sometimes, but only very very slighty and I get it every few weeks.

I will get the tracking done again when I change tyres which will be next month after I fit a new CLutch, CSC and FW. Volvo are very poor for not acknowledging this and not knowing a solution is very poor indeed. The brand which is based on safety are defacing there own brand and product by not being as helpful as they can be.

Any questions about an S60R and what has been done so far maintenence wise, it is good to know that the community is out there for everyone.

Jakewolfson posting previous information was a good move.
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Old Apr 25th, 2010, 16:32   #24
s1monc
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I have run a 2003 V70 R for 4yrs, the original Pirelli tyres don't suit the car at all, i changed to Dunlop sport after the 1st set of Pirelli's & it drove much better, also had the front suspension bushes replaced which made a lot difference. I've always found it handles best with all 4 tyres at 30-31 psi any higher & you get the rear side hop.

Cheers Simon.
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Old Apr 27th, 2010, 10:36   #25
Libra
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Thanks for that. I am beginning to think that the OE tyres, Pirelli PZero Rosso tyres, are good for what they are, but as you say don't seem to work with the car all that well. I think come tyre time I will get something else maybe the Dunlop Sport or something of that nature.

AS for tyre pressures, I have mine at the recommended 35psi as stated on the fuel door. But I hardly get any side hop.
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Old Sep 6th, 2011, 10:46   #26
volvotech
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Smile s60 r 2004

Quote:
Originally Posted by pgainham View Post
Just an update here - Volvo are still looking into this but tell me there are 'no known' defects with the suspension on the S60R. Quite frankly I dont believe this - an obvious knocking noise from the rear left whel arch and this lurching from left to right on bumpy surfaces is just not right.

They are taking it back in shortly to re-check the wheel alignment - I am not convined this will help anything

Are there any S60R owners out there - are you having any ride issues like the above, or is it just me ;-(

Also - does nyone know of a site or have acces sto any Volvo technical bulletins that may expand on this issue ?

Thanks,

Paul
Hi

I have an s60 r 2004 as a play car. Ive had all these problems. the wheel alignment is very critical to the way the car behaves. Get the car 4 wheel aligned, ie a full geometry setup. If it costs less than 50.00 then its not the full thing. These cars should never have one shocker replaced and they should all be callibrated using vida after any adjustments are done or parts changed. this must be carried out on a totaly flat floor and should be done with the driver in the car for the full efect. This if not done will cause banging in the suspension as if the shocks were worn out.
Check out the internet as you can buy a pair of original monroes for the car at less than the cost of one at a dealers, after all monroe make them for volvo. check the springs havent been changed as people generaly change them to lower eihbach springs which does effect the position and camber.
good luck they are totaly fun cars.

ian
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