Suspension: 70: C70 Convertible - Handling - a lost cause?

[redcup]

I've had my C70 T5 Convertible for about 6 weeks now.

I have a peach of an example, well maintained and beautiful to look at.

However, this car has the worst handling of any I have owned.

I know it is a heavy car, but my Galaxy TDi is 100KGs heavier and inspires more confidence through fast corners.

At present it is stock - I know that a strut brace will help, as can certain other mods.

I'm not expecting it to be like my old Eunos Roadster, but don't find the thought of praying I exit a fast corner without ditching it to be comforting.

So my question is: will a strut brace on its own make things bearable, or am I best off accepting that it is what it is and living with it / moving on? (I don't want to go down the route of coilovers and bracing all round as that way lies madness!)

[jjd101]

I had the same issues with my 2.4 cab. Fitted the Volvo strut brace which has tightened things up at the front, but the rear of the car still feels quite loose

I've heard the best thing for this is a towbar - a couple of other members have had one fitted, and say it makes a massive difference. As soon as funds are available I'll be investing myself

The strut brace at the front will make a fair difference, but the rear really does need doing too

[M D E]

I fitted a Tow bar to mine, and in my view the car is about 70% better, I don't get that constant shaking, aftershock and general teeth chattering ride now.

The front brace is good but like the previous post says it does nothing for the rear which is where the problem is, even my passengers have noticed a difference ! Best £250 Inc fitting I have spent, plus it's the removable type which makes it hard to tell you have one fitted.

Should have standard on these 'flexi' chassis C70's !

[JamesV70R]

I seem to remember someone was custom making a rear brace along the lines of the main crosspiece of a towbar - dpbailey I think it was.(Excuse them spelling of the name if I'm wrong!)

Will see if I can dig out his thread ..

[The Hooded Claw]

As has been said above .. get a Towbar fitted & yer problems will dissappear (As if by MAGIC!!!) .

[redcup]

Thanks chaps - sounds like a 75 quid tow bar from ebay could be worth a try then. I'll give it a go and see if it does the job.

[DSK]

As mentioned, a OEM Volvo Strut brace from FRF Volvo (in our traders section around £65 at your doorstep) and a tow bar that will double up as a rear strut brace are inexpensive and highly valuable handling aids.

Furthermore you can look at the likes of IPD Anti Roll bars after the above and that should suffice.

[Stuh1981]

Originally Posted by redcup

I've had my C70 T5 Convertible for about 6 weeks now.

I have a peach of an example, well maintained and beautiful to look at.

However, this car has the worst handling of any I have owned.

I know it is a heavy car, but my Galaxy TDi is 100KGs heavier and inspires more confidence through fast corners.

At present it is stock - I know that a strut brace will help, as can certain other mods.

I'm not expecting it to be like my old Eunos Roadster, but don't find the thought of praying I exit a fast corner without ditching it to be comforting.

So my question is: will a strut brace on its own make things bearable, or am I best off accepting that it is what it is and living with it / moving on? (I don't want to go down the route of coilovers and bracing all round as that way lies madness!)

Before I got my C70 I had been driving MX-5 and Impreza'a and the handling on my C70 was awful compared to these cars. It has taken me a long time to be confident of when I can push the car through corners and even then I have still never given it a good thrashing. Mine also has a front strut brace.

I am suprised you say that a Galaxy handles better, is it maybe worth getting someone to look under the car to make sure there is not any ware and tear that you might not be aware of.

[redcup]

Originally Posted by Stuh1981

I am suprised you say that a Galaxy handles better, is it maybe worth getting someone to look under the car to make sure there is not any ware and tear that you might not be aware of.

The Galaxy doesn't scare me as much as the Volvo - it's all relative - lol (the Volvo replaces a Eunos Roadster and tuned EvoIII - I am under no illusions that it will ever be as good as either of those cars, but it would be nice to not poo my pants every time I enter a corner with a little too much speed!)

I don't think there is any significant wear and tear as the car has a full Volvo Service history including a £2k bill for work carried out by the previous owner in March where anything Volvo could find suspect was replaced.

[redcup]

Strut Brace ordered from FRF - I'll update the thread after its fitted