Volvo C70 strut braces

[Aveton Gifford]

Thanks for that, I know what you mean about the battery covers on the V50s, they are a real p.i.t.a!!

So if you can feel a difference in a coupe, it should make quite a big difference in a cabriolet.

I keep wondering if it is worth all the trouble, I had to go out again today, and I took the C70 as it was sunny and I could put the roof down, and I don't really think the scuttle shake is all that bad, but I may just be getting used to it.

I did get a few funny looks though, but I don't think 1°C is that cold😂😂

[StatusRed]

Originally Posted by Aveton Gifford

Thanks for that, I know what you mean about the battery covers on the V50s, they are a real p.i.t.a!!

So if you can feel a difference in a coupe, it should make quite a big difference in a cabriolet.

I keep wondering if it is worth all the trouble, I had to go out again today, and I took the C70 as it was sunny and I could put the roof down, and I don't really think the scuttle shake is all that bad, but I may just be getting used to it.

I did get a few funny looks though, but I don't think 1°C is that cold😂😂

I mean... probably objectively speaking it's not worth the trouble... BUT if you've ran out of things to do on your car and want to give yourself a wee job / project then there's no harm in it.

[Cookeh]

You'll get more out of a 3 point brace than you will a 2 point one. The stiffer the chassis and the less flex and deflection present in the strut towers the better able the suspension is to do its job. In theory, you are improving the ride and handling whilst reducing byproducts typical to the P80s like that shuttle shake.

The front end of the convertibles already have additional bracing (front subframe bar to rear subframe bar, and rear subframe mounts to the centre of the car), and solid subframe mounts, so are surprisingly stiff as is. Its the rear that lets them down more than anything. You'll definitely still see a benefit from a strut brace, but you'll arguably get more benefit from rear bracing. Food for thought.

[SteveSarre]

Hi Cookeh,

Does anyone make a 3 point front strut brace, and where does it attach?

I have been thinking about my own C70 convertible.
I have a strut brace on it, but was still getting a shaking.

But I then found that one of the (original) rear shocks was worn out. I am in the process of replacing that and getting the car back on the road (it has other issues such as leaking radiator) and then will know if that fixed the shake.

On the convertible those rear shocks can be tricky to replace and so could easily get neglected.
On the coupe I think they are easier to replace, but may still be worth taking them off and checking them out.

If that doesn't fix it, I will fit a C70 towbar and see if that helps.

Steve

[Cookeh]

Not that I'm currently aware of, but if one is fabricating a brace then its not much harder to make it 3-point. In terms of suitable anchorage points, you can either drop them down to the subframe (tricky with turbo cars), or use a re-inforced part of the firewall, like the upper torque mount or brake booster.

As far as 2-point bars go, regardless of whether you're buying or fabricating one try and make sure it includes all three of the strut top-mount nuts. This will reduce any torsional and rotational effects.

[Aveton Gifford]

Thanks for all the helpful information Cookeh 👍👍😀😀

[Cookeh]

Originally Posted by SteveSarre

I have been thinking about my own C70 convertible.
I have a strut brace on it, but was still getting a shaking.

Steve

It's also worth checking (even though checking it is almost as big a job as fixing it!) that your dashboard mounts aren't broken. That will also result in lots of dash shaking and an awful rattle. Its a common failure on P80s.

[StatusRed]

Originally Posted by Cookeh

As far as 2-point bars go, regardless of whether you're buying or fabricating one try and make sure it includes all three of the strut top-mount nuts. This will reduce any torsional and rotational effects.

How come the OEM strut brace on my S40 only uses 2 of the nuts then?

[Cookeh]

How come some cars come with none? Cost saving, or different targets for performance/stiffening levels, rather obviously.

[StatusRed]

Originally Posted by Cookeh

How come some cars come with none? Cost saving, or different targets for performance/stiffening levels, rather obviously.

Yeah my car came with none, think it was only fitted to the D5s..? So if you want some stiffness, not necessarily MAX you might only want a 2 point brace with mounting on 4/6 of the bolts? Do you necessarily want it as stiff as can be?