suspension upgrades

[jagrullar]

I tried searching the forums for this but at which mileage have you changed shocks or updated the suspension in general? Our car has done 50k ish and it crashes over uneven surfaces and is bouncy in general. When we were test driving cars I don't remember it being worse than others of same age, but somehow I remember the 09 and 10 actives on 17" as being more forgiving and "comfortable". Its a se lux on Volvo 18" at 39psi all around. Or will changing shocks not do anything comfort wise?

[JimG]

I believe Roy said that he changed his at 50k and noticed a difference. I'm sure he'll post soon to confirm or deny.

Jim.

[bluey_xc90]

On my old 04 SE I changed the shocks at about 65k and made a lot of difference. Try changing the drop links by about 50k as well as normally well worn by then, and makes it seem a lot more secure cornering as well.

[jagrullar]

Originally Posted by bluey_xc90

On my old 04 SE I changed the shocks at about 65k and made a lot of difference. Try changing the drop links by about 50k as well as normally well worn by then, and makes it seem a lot more secure cornering as well.

How much should one budget to have shocks and drop links done? Do most people go for standard or higer rated brands for shocks? Does the alignment have to be redone as well?

[REDSHEEPRIDD]

Mine is over 100k on originals and feels fine, although I'm sure new ones would be better. My brothers V70 was nearly 300k on originals!

Did you just replace the fronts or the nivomats as well?

[t5_monkey]

my suspension was tired at 50k.... depends on the roads.

[bluey_xc90]

I replaced them all the way round - sachs supertouring at the front (which I believe are the OEM anyway) and managed to get a set of standard rears with the stronger springs off ebay to replace the nivomats.

Fronts were about £100 each, pair of the rears with springs that had done about 100 miles on them were £50! (reason they were on ebay was volvo forgot to put nivomats on quite a few uk cars so had to be replaced at the dealer, and these bits ended up being sold and not in the bin!)

Drop links are about £30 a pair at each end, but get the quality ones - either genuine volvo or the lemforder from Eurocar parts (which are OEM I believe), not the cheap clones off ebay or scantech.

[Clan]

suspension wear on XC90 isnt an issue yet generaly, however the bushes on later models are more solid , it might be worth your while investigating these .