Crashy suspension

[40t]

I don't know what the V70 suspension was like when new, but my 2008 feels very wooden and crashy over rutted surfaces - more than I suspect it should - despite a useful improvement since fitting trailing arm bushes recently. It thuds badly over imperfections as minor as cat's eyes and expansion joints. It's only done 73k and the dampers have no faults as such, but perhaps just being sat on for eleven years by a very heavy car hasn't done them any favours. On the other hand, I don't want to replace them for no real benefit, if the ride quality is par for the course. Not being mechanically minded, are there any other bushes that might be to blame?

[Model flyer]

Your suspension/ shocks may feel ok on a bounce test but will be clapped out at 73k, it's all part of the Ford effect . Making loud noise over minor bumps is a good indication of internal wear particularly the front struts. When replacing also replace the top mounts . I had the same problem with my V70 ,the shocks all looked good and seemed to damp well . After replacement car felt like new again. Once the spring had been removed the wear was obvious as the damping was almost non existent and all pressure had escaped from units.

[40t]

Thank you Model Flyer - it does feel as though the front may the source - the weight of the engine, I imagine. I'll go with Sachs with a view to maintaining the original ride, unless anyone can suggest something better.

[Kev0607]

There's many different types of shocks for these vehicles, so I'm not sure how you'd fair out buying the correct ones without going to the main dealer & getting a quote off them. VIDA tells you the codes/part numbers for all the struts, but it still didn't tell me which ones were actually fitted to the car. Basically, I know all the part numbers for the several different types of shocks fitted to the V70, just not the part number for the ones I need! After 152,000 miles on my Dad's 57 plate V70, I don't seem to be able to find any part number stickers on the existing shocks, but it has 152,000 miles & they've probably weathered away.

I did get a quote off Volvo and I think it was around £400 for the pair of front shocks & other associated parts like the strut mounts etc. It seemed expensive to me, so I want to shop around. I'd be interested to know how did you get the exact part numbers for the ones fitted to your car & where are you getting the parts from now that you know which ones to get? Aren't Sachs the brand Volvo used anyway?

[40t]

Perhaps I've messed up, in that case - especially as they've just arrived today! Partsforvolvosonline come up with one Sachs option for all V70 08-16 with standard chassis - ditto Eurocarparts (where I ordered them). Yes, I believe they were the OEM. 'Ford M' appears by the bar code, which would tend to support this. There's a code - 313 749 - also 635592850. The cost, including 2 Feb tops strut mounts, was £224.

[Kev0607]

Thanks for your reply. After further research, it appears that websites like Euro Car Parts show a couple of shocks & its easy to decipher which one you require (If you have the 4c chassis or non-4c). However, the VIDA diagrams give multiple part numbers & sometimes multiple diagrams & it can be hard to decipher the exact part numbers you need. Maybe its me looking at the images wrong

I've just been on Euro Car parts & the struts for my Dad's car (57 plate V70) are £136.99 each (Sachs), but partsforvolvosonline are considerably cheaper at £90 per shock. Just to confirm, you purchased two strut mounts (1st link), as well as the Sachs shocks of course?

https://www.partsforvolvosonline.com...54832230ab8e73

Aren't you replacing the strut mount bearings whilst you're at it (See below link), or the rubber spacers & rubber bumpstops?

https://www.partsforvolvosonline.com...54832230ab8e73

You mentioned Febi parts. Are those parts linked above this brand, or did you buy the Febi parts elsewhere?

Thanks for sending the link to volvopartsonline, it seems a great site & is handy to know. Your help is appreciated, as I'm planning on doing the same job on my Dad's car that happens to be the same as yours.

[Model flyer]

Originally Posted by 40t

Perhaps I've messed up, in that case - especially as they've just arrived today! Partsforvolvosonline come up with one Sachs option for all V70 08-16 with standard chassis - ditto Eurocarparts (where I ordered them). Yes, I believe they were the OEM. 'Ford M' appears by the bar code, which would tend to support this. There's a code - 313 749 - also 635592850. The cost, including 2 Feb tops strut mounts, was £224.

I bought Sachs from my local car factors . I did the job about five years ago and they cost me £70 ish each ,possibly gone up a bit now Cant remember what the top mount cost . All old parts had FoMoCo stamped on them .
If your fitting them yourself then Get some plusgas as the bottom pinch bolt really gets rusty as does the fit of the strut into the hub assembly. Some heat helps free this up , either a good blowlamp or oxy gear .

Good luck , its well worth it as the car will drive like new again.
PS. check springs thoroughly for any signs of cracks especially around the bottom if rust has got under the coating/paint .