Bilstein B4 Suspension question(s) + Brembo sidenote

[LizardOfBodom]

Originally Posted by Kev0607

...
For normal driving, I wouldn't bother with Brembo brakes. Unless you're driving around a race track, then I don't really see the point in fitting Brembo's because they're very pricey. The discs & pads you buy from Volvo are adequate for normal use & that's what I'd stick with, if you want to use genuine parts that is.
....

Just need to voice my opinion as I cant understand why ppl associate "Brembo" with "super hyper kit that will cost you an arm". Yes, you can do Brembo 6pot floating disc kit to replace your 320mm ones but in the same time you can buy just standard Brembo discs that ARE usually much cheaper than OEM volvo ones while still being very good and NON performance part. Example here.
to OP: In my case, set of UV coated Brembos were 2x cheaper than set of Volvo branded discs (made by ATE). Did 50k miles on my set (Brembo + ATE ceramic pads) and cant say enough how good the setup is - no squealing, no dust (ZERO dust) and very good stopping power, and I do drive like a maniac so no easy life on parts.
I personally always steer clear of Pagid/Mintex/Brake Engineering etc etc as for brakes, but its only my personal opinion. For not much more you can find much more reputable brands so I always do. Anyway, point is - Brembo also does normal/non performance/good parts, that wont cost you arm&leg and will perform as well as OEM parts with Volvo sticker on them.

[TheFiend]

The original brake pads and disks on my C30 lasted until 67k.... it had FSH and came with every single service invoice and parts invoice from new.

As it was approaching MOT time I looked out for deals and managed to pick up a full set of Brembo disks and pads for quite a substantial saving on list prices.

It passed the MOT on the original brakes but they were very close to the limit, I left the car with them as the parts were in the car and picked it up later that day.

Have been well impressed by them.

[s40richard]

I had a poke around on the https://www.buycarparts.co.uk/ website, and there are indeed loads on there..

They'll probably not fit aswell as OEM but at least with the part in hand rather than on the car I can always make sure there is plenty of paint/protection on them from the start before fitting.

Speaking of, my brother-in-law juts fitted a set of front Brembos to his mile munching Fiesta Commute Diesel (not very) special.

He got them at 40% sale at eurocarparts. He said they are excellent; a dream to fit, quality set up and perform well too..

So, whilst I after not after amazing braking performance; decent quality, durability, hassle free and solid performance at cheaper than Volvo seems to be a sensible approach. When they need doing, reckon a its worth chancing a cheaper set of backing plates at same time and see how they fit..

Thanks to all..

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by LizardOfBodom

Just need to voice my opinion as I cant understand why ppl associate "Brembo" with "super hyper kit that will cost you an arm". Yes, you can do Brembo 6pot floating disc kit to replace your 320mm ones but in the same time you can buy just standard Brembo discs that ARE usually much cheaper than OEM volvo ones while still being very good and NON performance part. Example here.
to OP: In my case, set of UV coated Brembos were 2x cheaper than set of Volvo branded discs (made by ATE). Did 50k miles on my set (Brembo + ATE ceramic pads) and cant say enough how good the setup is - no squealing, no dust (ZERO dust) and very good stopping power, and I do drive like a maniac so no easy life on parts.
I personally always steer clear of Pagid/Mintex/Brake Engineering etc etc as for brakes, but its only my personal opinion. For not much more you can find much more reputable brands so I always do. Anyway, point is - Brembo also does normal/non performance/good parts, that wont cost you arm&leg and will perform as well as OEM parts with Volvo sticker on them.

Brembo's were much dearer for my vehicle, at the time of replacement - That's why I didn't use them.

[burgess]

Originally Posted by Kev0607

With regards to Eicher discs & pads, I don't think they're good at all. ... They're just made with poor materials & I wouldn't use them again for this reason.

I hope you have a better experience than me though. Maybe I got a bad batch from Eicher!

I agree!
Four years back, I purchased a complete set of brake components, front and rear caliper, Eicher front and rear rotors, Eicher front pads and Pagid rear pads.
However, I only got round to fitting the Eicher rotors and pads on the front axle last year. Not done many miles during the last twelve months and I'm really not impressed with either the performance or the materials. I've never seen rust on rotors like these.

[s40richard]

Car is still clonking. I've had it inspected by a Volvo specialist and suspension man..

Volvo man couldn't find anything..

Suspension man, said the inner control arm bushing (the big one) was knackered and advised poly-bushes. (£200+ thank you v much, not including fitting.)

He demonstrated forward/back movement of the front wheels/control arms by jumping on the brakes. I couldn't replicate what he did and have never noticed it when driving.

I replaced both front arms 7000 miles ago - volvo parts. Not sure whats going on with them, frankly. They both look fine to me, same on both sides.

I have a feeling the noise is coming from the top mount, on the nearside - the noisy side.

When I wiggle the tyre the black centre bit of the shock that pokes through the top mount in the engine bay moves around - a lot.

And clonks.

Driver's side doesn't budge.

Can't be that simple can it?

Worth mentioning that that I also replaced both top mounts, when I did the arms. And both springs - 7k Miles ago.

If it is indeed a failed mount (also a Volvo part) can anyone recomend a suitable aftermarket. I'm going to put the Bilstein B4s on and Bilstein do a top mount/bearing so had considered them.

But wondered if anyone could recommend any alternatives if better: Lemforder, Meyle, Sachs or other..

And similar with the drop links. Figured I'd do them aswell?

And anything else similar once its all taken apart??

Thanks in advance, Richard..

[lockstock]

Originally Posted by s40richard

Car is still clonking. I've had it inspected by a Volvo specialist and suspension man..

Volvo man couldn't find anything..

Suspension man, said the inner control arm bushing (the big one) was knackered and advised poly-bushes. (£200+ thank you v much, not including fitting.)

He demonstrated forward/back movement of the front wheels/control arms by jumping on the brakes. I couldn't replicate what he did and have never noticed it when driving.

I replaced both front arms 7000 miles ago - volvo parts. Not sure whats going on with them, frankly. They both look fine to me, same on both sides.

I have a feeling the noise is coming from the top mount, on the nearside - the noisy side.

When I wiggle the tyre the black centre bit of the shock that pokes through the top mount in the engine bay moves around - a lot.

And clonks.

Driver's side doesn't budge.

Can't be that simple can it?

Worth mentioning that that I also replaced both top mounts, when I did the arms. And both springs - 7k Miles ago.

If it is indeed a failed mount (also a Volvo part) can anyone recomend a suitable aftermarket. I'm going to put the Bilstein B4s on and Bilstein do a top mount/bearing so had considered them.

But wondered if anyone could recommend any alternatives if better: Lemforder, Meyle, Sachs or other..

And similar with the drop links. Figured I'd do them aswell?

And anything else similar once its all taken apart??

Thanks in advance, Richard..

I had an intermitent thunk.. it needed new control arms so had them done, but it was still there. I went for some bilstein b4s and eibach springs as an upgrade, and when fitting these I got new OEm top mount and bearings from volvo. Thunk went away after. So was either spring/shock/top mount. But I suspect the top mount...

Volvo tech also couldn't find anything wrong.... 🤷

[s40richard]

Originally Posted by lockstock

I had an intermitent thunk.. it needed new control arms so had them done, but it was still there. I went for some bilstein b4s and eibach springs as an upgrade, and when fitting these I got new OEm top mount and bearings from volvo. Thunk went away after. So was either spring/shock/top mount. But I suspect the top mount...

Volvo tech also couldn't find anything wrong.... 🤷

That is what I suspect is wrong with mine too.. Its going back to the Volvo man on Monday (the boot is playing up) so I'll have a chat with him about the knocking again then.

My plan is to fit the B4s, probably not the Eibachs sadly, and do the top mounts/bearings whilst its all apart.

I'm not sure whether to fit the OEM mounts/bearings again however as Bilstein do a mount/bearing, along with the many aftermarket quality brands: Lemforder etc.

Any wisdom on that front would be welcome..

Thanks again, Richard

[s40richard]

Car is behaving much better now after its trip to the Volvo man (Craig Rawse, in Bradford - excellent Garage).

Although still making a small noise, they tightened up the shock/ top mount, which was loose, which made everything a lot better.

I've ordered the B4's and to go with:

Meyle HD front drop links (and rears)
SFK Top Mounts and Bearings (and rears)

..with just the Bump Stops to nail down.

My original plan was to get the Meyle ones, but a doubt crept in when I wondered if the R Design may have different bump stops, than the more 'Standard' S40.

I rang Volvo to ask about their bump stops and dust covers. The bump stops were reasonable enough, but the Dust Covers were £30 each and they didnt even have a listing for a rear Dust Covers..

If anyone could clarify which bump stops would be best, that'll be great..

Richard

[s40richard]

Car all done:

B4 Bilsteins
SKF Top Mounts
Meyle Bump Stops/Sleeves
Meyle HD Drop Links

All 4 corners

Its made a world a difference. Car feels night and day better. I reckon the ride height is a bit higher, if anything, most likely as the old shocks were knackered.

I'm not fussed though, the ride is too good to worry about that. I pondered the Eibachs but maybe another day..

And best of all - no knocks anymore..

Nod to Craig Rawse (and Sons) in Bradford.. Great garage..

Richard