V50 N/S & O/S Rear Springs £375 Garage or DIY?

[machineage]

Hi all!

I need both rear springs replacing (MOT), and have received a quote of £375. Is this about right?

Was thinking about having a go myself, how difficult is it? Will this also throw the tracking out?

Cheers.

[Geozyg]

The secret to rear springs on a 2WD Volvo is to disconect the hub from the lower arm so the arm can be pulled downward to release the spring without spring compressors. There are some awkward bits bit if you are OK with car mechanics it's not a big job.
Did my rear V70 springs is 90 mins. 60 for the fist side to figure it out and 30 for the second when I knew what was going on.

No it shouldnt affect the tracking as long as you dont undo the lower arm bolts in the centre of the car.

[Teddy1975]

You need a proper workshop jack for this job and a way to safely keep one corner of the car off the ground at a time while changing the springs. You won't get far with just the Volvo jack.

Other than that, it isn't too difficult if you do it the way Geozyg suggests.

[machineage]

Thanks - I've got axle stands & hydraulic jack. I'll search for a guide online to see what's involved. Would need to get the correct springs too, the code for which I understand can be gleaned from the build plate on the door sill?

Update: OK I don't have a code on the door plate, anyone know how I find the correct spring part number?

[PNM]

Not a difficult job, assuming that you don't come across too many rusted and seized bolts.

Have a look at https://youtu.be/xH6pl438gIc?si=WdP2QBDkX2JHtWx5 for a rough overview of the process.

WRT getting the correct springs, it can be a bit of a nightmare on some cars. Personally, I get most of my parts from the main dealer, that way, you know they are good quality and will fit. It is a bit more expansive that going to the likes of ECP, but still a saving over garage prices.

[machineage]

Thanks - I just phoned my local Volvo stealer, they want £190 each spring!

Said that's the best he could do, and wouldn't give me the part number.

[PNM]

I wouldn't be paying that!

Maybe try these guys, if you provide your reg during the checkout process, they will check it fits, and if it doesn't, they'll refund you, including the return postage. https://www.partsinmotion.co.uk/returns

[Teddy1975]

Try another dealership, that one you talked with certainly sounds like an a**e to be avoided at all cost when he won't even help you with a simple part number request.

I paid 208 DKK per spring (KYB) from Autodoc when I changed mine about a month ago, that's £24(!) each.

[Geozyg]

FYI. When I did this I had the car on stands and used the hydraulic Jack to Jack the lower wish bone with spring back into place. It can be a bit precarious.

[IainG]

Hi
Did mine last month. Easy job but found each of my springs in 3 pieces, but all still in place. I did a side at a time. Chocked front wheels, axle stand under rear jacking point under the cill used the trolley jack to go under the hub to lower the control arm when unbolted. Hardest bit was levering out the broken bits from the lower mounting cup. Double check there isn't a broken bit left. Easy to miss.
Very stable and easy to do. Good spanners, socket set, penetrating oil, some copper grease and a lump hammer. Good luck