Rear shock absorber is this right?

[mcouchard]

Thanks Inchley, LOL I'm not lowering it I bought it to haul the baby stuff and clock up miles, it's not for posing.

I'll jack it up and take another look, perhaps tommorow.

Ironically the 3 month waranty run out 5 days ago, but then they usually wouldn't repair unless it is actually broken.

[The Improver]

I had N/S/R spring break and I had both replaced last year and I've still got both of them. So I've just counted the number of coils on the undamaged one and there's 11 on mine. So looking at yours there could "possibly" be an unbroken spring, so it could be the shocker, but it doesn't mean the spring is OK.

Don't take this as gospel as there are about 6 different variations on springs, so yours could have more coils than mine.

You want to clean the spring while you've got chance, to get the colour code, which should be 2 bands of paint... it's just a help to ensure you get the right replacement assuming you get Volvo. On the code plate on the bulkhead, it will give the spring code number.

[mcouchard]

Photos from underside of the car the O/S 1st one really doesn't look right it did look like this when I bought it but as the spring appeared complete I though it was a quirk of the geometry.

I ran my hand around the bottom of the spring and it isn't sitting right on the mount it doesn't end in the dip as it should so I suspect it has broken a bit a off and shifted round.

P.S. It appears to have two red bands although I am colour blind.

[Dean1985]

If the spring definitely ain't broke could it not just be that the spring is actually the wrong one and too long. With the weight off that side the spring is then bowing and straightening up once the car is lowered back down with all the weight on it again.

[mcouchard]

Thanks Dean, I did consider that as it does look like it is longer in the photo but the end of the spring was slightly rough perhaps indicating a break, after all. Or incorrectly fitted.

[inchley313]

looks like a trip to Sturgess Volvo for you then on Freeman's Common or you could try Parkers (the parts people) for a cheaper alternative!! The one on the Belgrave flyover seems to be the best stocked in Leicester at the moment!!

[mcouchard]

Yeah Parkers is alot cheaper than euro car parts @ £20 each. But it's whether they are the right ones, 'The Improver' says there are a few different types.

[inchley313]

obtain the part number from Sturgess Parts department (they can do this from vin no) and ask parkers to cross reference the part number and see what comes up.

I definitely would replace the pair though as their may be slight differences between the 2 and they will perform differently due to age.

Also, pop over to GSF on the corner of Blackbird Road/Parker Drive, last time I was across in Leicester, I found them very helpful and their parts were a lot better quality than those sold at Parkers. They can also find the parts though the database just using your reg no.

[mcouchard]

I have used all three Parkers, GSF and Euro car parts with my Megane in the past. GSF are good but just a bit far over and don't always have the stock, Euro are the closest and useful for most bits but have supplied the wrong suspension parts in the past, which can be a massive pain in the arse when you have a car in pieces. Parkers are always very helpful and will match their internet price in store.

I'll see how much Volvo quote though as GSF and Euro are around £45-50 a piece Parkers is only £20 each.

Don't worry I will be definetly replace the pair, if any. I'm going to jack it right up and see if I can turn it into the mount first and see if makes any difference.

[inchley313]

out of interest, what area of Leicester do you live?