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C30 / S40 & V50 '04-'12 / C70 '06-'13 General Forum for the P1-platform C30 / S40 / V50 / C70 models |
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Our cars 'handling' in generalViews : 1166 Replies : 27Users Viewing This Thread : |
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Aug 7th, 2018, 16:49 | #1 |
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Last Online: Sep 14th, 2021 18:03
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Location: Market Harborough
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Our cars 'handling' in general
What do most people think of the way S40/V50/C30's handle generally?
Personally I think although my S40 handles and grips generally well it doesn't feel like it wants to? the steering feel was always documented on these models as being below par and that's certainly still the case. On motorways the car gets unsettled in crosswinds too easily, on rough surfaces the ride is too firmly sprung etc. Been thinking about polybushing the car as I'm convinced the bushings are contributing to a lack of feedback and a general 'lazy' feel to the drive; for example - steering inputs at speed seem to create a delayed reaction from the rear of the car, which would make sense if the bushings are flexing too much.
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2005 S40 T5 SE - Manual. Bilstein B4's. (For Sale) 2010 Citroen C4 1.6 HDi (bizarre Gearbox model). 2010 Renault Twingo (refreshingly simple) 2018 Infiniti Q30 1.6T Business Executive (what's this button do?) |
Aug 7th, 2018, 17:01 | #2 |
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I Powerflex polybushed the front end of my old S40 T5 and it increased the feel of drive significantly. The steering felt a little more precise and roll was controlled a little better too.
My only criticism is that they tend to squeak a little if the stereo's off and the windows are down. I never got round to polybushing the rear.
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Present: 2009 Volvo V50 1.6D DRIVe SE Past: 2004 Volvo S40 T5 SE |
Aug 7th, 2018, 17:30 | #3 |
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Did you literally just have the main lower wishbone bushes changed, nothing else?
I'm thinking the main culprits for too much play in the sussy must be the lower rear wishbone bushes on the front end and the rear control arm bushes.
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2005 S40 T5 SE - Manual. Bilstein B4's. (For Sale) 2010 Citroen C4 1.6 HDi (bizarre Gearbox model). 2010 Renault Twingo (refreshingly simple) 2018 Infiniti Q30 1.6T Business Executive (what's this button do?) |
Aug 7th, 2018, 19:26 | #4 |
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I did all front bushes.
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Present: 2009 Volvo V50 1.6D DRIVe SE Past: 2004 Volvo S40 T5 SE |
Aug 7th, 2018, 21:27 | #5 |
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i have been told by my friendly volvo dealer mine has the "comfort" suspension
i am taking that to be "its not as harsh as the non-comfort" options, predictable would be the 1 word id use to describe it comfy,, yes to a point, feed back, yes to a point, capable, yes, but not in a sporty way its not as "waft along" as the 940 i had,but this doesnt have ninvomats so,, its not as "sporty" as the S40(phase 2) with factory sports suspension (and it was LOW far lower than other s/v40s with std factory suspension,) the 940 was a lot less affected by crosswinds than the V50 is, but i wouldnt say the V50 is a "blown all over the motorway" , the body seems to roll a bit when the cross wind hits it but tracks true with very little if any "wind sheer effect" (or it wasnt windy enough to find out )
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940s - 2l / 92 < gone&missed s401.8 xs auto <gone >V50 2.4SE Geartronic aka "the new money pit" "skyship007 has now been successfully added to your ignore list. "." Last edited by andy_d; Aug 7th, 2018 at 21:30. |
Aug 8th, 2018, 12:45 | #6 |
Dave
Last Online: Sep 7th, 2023 12:33
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I've done a fair bit to improve the handling of my car and on stock suspension it really did throw out and get a bit boaty at times.
The first modification I made was an uprated rear anti-roll bar, this did improve the body roll in bends and make the car a little less unwieldy, I could certainly push it through the corners a bit more. Then I polybushed the wishbone rear bushings as mine were shot, pig of a job on the first set I did, but I then found a really efficient way to do it without drilling or marking the outer case - quite simple really, use a propane torch to heat the casing for about 5 mins, this breaks the rubber bond to the inner wall, then you need to crack it loose from the rubber with a screwdriver, should be moderately stiff then go, if it doesn't budge then more heat required. Oh, and you'll need a 10 tonne press to get the buggers in. Performance wise - much perkier response through the wheel and less dive on braking, plus they'll never go again! Coilovers - Mine are Bilstein B14s and the difference is night and day compared to standard suspension and lowering springs, control is much sharper, feeling of being on rails springs to mind. Can be quite bumpy on uneven surfaces but you eventually live with it, so can be tolerable for long journeys on the motorway. In terms of handling improvement I'd say that moving to coilovers had by far the biggest improvement but along with all of the modifications I've made the car can be somewhat twitchy but predictable, definitely feels more alive! But rest assured the confidence of the car being planted means (along with good tyres) that if you must, you can throw it around without the fear of massive oversteer, wobble, and a break in grip. In addition I found my braking performance improved as well. There's a few good options for coilovers but getting a good brand is highly advised - premier options are Bilstein, BC Racing, and KW.
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