Suspension advice needed

[capt jack]

Hi Dave

Ta. Yes, one bush had "split", the other was in a poor state. The garage said that their tester would have failed the split one today, but that it's quite possible that three weeks ago it was still holding together well enough to be considered as an advisory only. They also said that it wouldn't have caused a catastrophic failure at all, the biggest risk being accelerated tyre wear.

I'm not really interested in chasing after the MOT tester, I just want my car back on the road. The bushes were shot, so whether they're changed now or in a few weeks time they'd still need to be sorted.

I've decided to go for all new arms and bottom ball joints. Because it all has to come off anyway I might as well. Changing only the rear bushes will take longer than simply swapping the arms complete, so there's a convincing "swings-and-roundabouts' case for complete new arms, with a full warranty of course. The car is definitely a keeper, so I feel that it's worth it. All being well I'll have my car back tomorrow and I can give them back their Fiesta! For all that it's almost new and very smart I'd certainly not want to drive it for even an inch more than necessary! I love my S90 too much!

Cheers

Jack

[Laird Scooby]

Probably a wise move not chasing the MoT tester, if what the garage says is right that 3 weeks ago it was likely the bush was only an advisory and has split since it would be one of those eternal "he said, she said - yeah but no but yeah but" situations. Least said soonest mended!

Good call on complete new arms, as you say, the argument for replacing compelte is compelling Vs the labour costs of getting the remains of the old bushes out.

As for the Fiesta - you're meant to read 'em, not drive 'em!

[capt jack]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

As for the Fiesta - you're meant to read 'em, not drive 'em!

Aha - now you're showing your age Dave! Do they still publish Fiesta?

The Fiesta is an ST model, so it's stuffed full of clever technology - most of which is best switched off as being too distracting! Lane departure warning, stop-start, sat nav, a touch screen "thing" in the middle of the dash the size of a medium-sized TV - the list goes on.

But the ride is harsh, the steering overly sharp and prone to tram-lining (thanks to the wide low-profile tyres I guess), the six speed box is overkill, the road noise intrusive, the seat rather too firm for my old bones, and closing the door raises a noise rather closer to the clatter of a biscuit tin lid than to the reassuringly solid clunk of a Volvo!

Cheers

Jack

[Laird Scooby]

No idea if it's still published Jack, i did wonder if you might be a bit too young to get the joke but obviously not!

Those Fiesta STs are meant to be quite nippy. I know what you mean about wanting a bit of comfort though, a friend had a more normal Fiesta auto - think it was a 1.4 but may have been a 1.6, not a sporty version or anything but the ride in that was akin to being on a solid pogo stick with a concrete seat. Not comfortable at all! She traded it in for a 1.6 auto Nissan Joke which is a bit more comfortable - she likes it though which is the main thing!

[capt jack]

Got my car back this evening all done and dusted. I’m really surprised by just how much better the steering feels now. But no sooner had I taken a call from the garage to say the S90 was ready I got a call from the Mrs to say the S70 had broken down. Turns out that the near side suspension strut has collapsed and the spring broken free, chewing up the tyre. You really could not make this up! So the S70 will be towed in tomorrow for two new struts and new tyre.

Just to add spice to the day the Fiesta I had on loan decided to go on strike this morning, leaving me stranded in the pouring rain. The fault proved to be duff battery in the key fob, but because the car has some kind of fancy keyless gizmo I there was absolutely nothing to do but wait for the garage to send out a techie - and get very wet and be late for work!

All this in a week where I’ve just started a new job and really could have done without any hiccups!

Oh and the Mrs got so heartily sick of the toxic atmosphere at her place of work that she walked out, telling them to shove the job where the sun don’t shine!

Above all else I’d give anything for a nice quiet life please!

Hey-ho. Just have to keep smiling through I guess. 😳

Jack

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by capt jack

Got my car back this evening all done and dusted. I’m really surprised by just how much better the steering feels now. But no sooner had I taken a call from the garage to say the S90 was ready I got a call from the Mrs to say the S70 had broken down. Turns out that the near side suspension strut has collapsed and the spring broken free, chewing up the tyre. You really could not make this up! So the S70 will be towed in tomorrow for two new struts and new tyre.

Just to add spice to the day the Fiesta I had on loan decided to go on strike this morning, leaving me stranded in the pouring rain. The fault proved to be duff battery in the key fob, but because the car has some kind of fancy keyless gizmo I there was absolutely nothing to do but wait for the garage to send out a techie - and get very wet and be late for work!

All this in a week where I’ve just started a new job and really could have done without any hiccups!

Oh and the Mrs got so heartily sick of the toxic atmosphere at her place of work that she walked out, telling them to shove the job where the sun don’t shine!

Above all else I’d give anything for a nice quiet life please!

Hey-ho. Just have to keep smiling through I guess. 😳

Jack

They say things like this come in threes Jack - your S90, the Fester and your wifes S70 - you've just got a new job, your missus now needs a new job - any other family members in line for a new job?

On the upside, at least it's all happened at the same time rather than a bit here, a bit there and another bit somewhere else. Employers tend to get the hump when it's a continual catalogue of disasters even if they couldn't have been foreseen or avoided.

[capt jack]

Ta Dave.

Things (as the song goes) can only get better!

I’m getting too old for this much excitement - but you have to laugh at it all.

Tomorrow it’ll stop raining and then it’s the weekend!

But driving the S90 it really does feel so much better, and as much as the Fiesta wasn’t a bad little car it’s made me appreciate just how good a RWD Volvo is to drive.

And I’m seriously thinking about buying another car to keep as a spare!

Cheers

Jack

[classicswede]

I might be selling a S90 I have soon as I now have high top 960 estate to replace it with