Suspension: 850: Suspension replacement

[Clark]

Hey all,

I have had my 1996 850R saloon thoroughly checked by a local specialist recently and it transpires that all 4 of my springs could do with replacing as they're pretty shot. I would presume the shocks also need replacing but I am no expert on suspension components. It does make sense as the car has always looked too low when I have 4 adults inside.

I was wondering whether there is anything more modern to replace the suspension with, as opposed to a like for like replacement? We are now in 2021 so there must be more affordable systems available that also improve the handling of the car?

Your ideas and thoughts (and potential costs) would be much welcome. I don't have a budget but I don't have money trees in the garden either.

Thanks

[Turbodave]

Springs generally get rusty then snap but up until that point, bar a bit sag with age... they can look crap but still be perfectly functional. However, replacing them can become a monster - ie you could get a set of cheap and nasty OEM spec springs from the factors and put them on, job done.

Or...

You could buy a suspension kit with uprated springs and shock absorbers which can range from OEM levels of ride height and comfort to massively uprated and very much characteristic changing coil over kits and such like. Then you could replace the top mounts, the bearings, the bump stops and whilst it's in bits do any other suspension part that is getting old or you want to upgrade to poly or the likes... and then do the inner and outer track rod ends because you'll be getting a four wheel geometry done and as you are, how's the rear delta link bushes looking?

So in short, the options are pretty endless but it'll come down to whether you want to retain an OEM ride height and comfort levels or if you're going to disappear down the rabbit hole that is replacing associated parts whilst you're in there and / or going down the modified route. Budget could be anything from a couple of hundred to a couple of grand. If you choose to upgrade, I'd definitely advise having a run in a car with a similar setup first to make sure you like it...

[classicswede]

A quick easy bolt in solution https://www.classicswede.org/shop/lo...struts-850-v70

you could also look at coilovers if you fancy that

[RollingThunder]

I'm about to replace the rear self levelling suspension (Nivomats) on my 850R - those dampers alone are around £700 for the pair, just to give you an idea of OEM parts cost for comparison.

If you need to refresh the entire suspension, then I can suggest:

option 1:
Bilstein touring dampers (or Sachs) all round
Kilen* lowered sports springs all round

I fitted this combo on one of my old 940 estates and it gave a very good ride quality, and far better handling than OEM.

*Kilen is part of the Lesjofors group - who made the original springs for Volvo.

option 2:
Bilstein touring dampers (or Sachs) all round
H&R lowered sports springs all round

This combo has a lot of fans. The springs are said to be top quality, and again ride quality is said to be good. Probably more expensive than the Kilen option.

option 3:
coil over conversion. BC coilover seem to get good reviews, although I haven't got first hand experience of these.

You'll need to do a fair bit of research to get a general consensus on the above, as well as settling upon brand x or y. I think the above are roughly in ascending price order

Be interesting to see what you decide upon - and how you rate them after you've had them a while. Good luck!

[Rich850R]

I’m running BCs and have done for the last 3 years with zero issues, pretty low on mine I won’t lie, but set the height for your requirements

No longer a wafty old barge, that said Ive upgraded all other suspension components too

Front and rear strut brace
IPD ARB
Solid sub frame inserts blah blah

Handles remarkably well and the ride quality is great a perfect set up for fast road use and the occasional track day

[Rich850R]

Originally Posted by Clark

Hey all,

I have had my 1996 850R saloon thoroughly checked by a local specialist recently and it transpires that all 4 of my springs could do with replacing as they're pretty shot. I would presume the shocks also need replacing but I am no expert on suspension components. It does make sense as the car has always looked too low when I have 4 adults inside.

I was wondering whether there is anything more modern to replace the suspension with, as opposed to a like for like replacement? We are now in 2021 so there must be more affordable systems available that also improve the handling of the car?

Your ideas and thoughts (and potential costs) would be much welcome. I don't have a budget but I don't have money trees in the garden either.

Thanks

If you want a play in mine to see what the BCs are like let me know, more than happy to meet up