how to tell bad rear coil springs

Skribb · Post by **Skribb** » 06 Jan 2011, 19:49

i noticed recently while doing exhaust work on my 740 wagon that when i have the front on jack stands the rear suspension bottoms out and the rear tires are at most a half inch from hitting the top of the wheel wells. but im not sure if both are bad or only springs are gone visibly they look fine but going down the road the rear of the car kind of i guess floats back and forth when turning and bounces excessivly over bumps im used to hearing some sound to tell that the shocks have a charge still but nothing comes out of them and im able to compress the coils almost an inch squeezing them with one hand the shocks i assume are shot their covered in oil and rusted badly but id rather be sure and replace both if their bad then just shocks and find coils are junk their not cracked or broken at all so im not sure.

Post by **Jtnb** » 06 Jan 2011, 20:56

For what it's worth, I'd just change them. As long as you're doing the shocks you can replace them with the heavier duty ones offered by IPD. I did that in my 240 since I tend to carry heavy stuff frequently. Used to have trouble with wheel well rub when I was heavily laden. Now it never happens. Last year carried something like 50 pieces of 16' 1x6 pine on the roof racks (gutter mount) and had no trouble with wheel well chafe nor bottoming out of the trailing arms. Roof racks survived, too.

Have not noticed any loss of handling or steering problems and have been running these springs for a few years.

Jonathan

Kirby J · Post by **Kirby J** » 07 Jan 2011, 01:54

I second the motion. Rear springs are probably the easiest job to do (at least on a 940) and they are cheap. I also used the trailer towing springs form IPD. 250K miles later they are still doing fine

Kirby J

Post by **precopster** » 07 Jan 2011, 03:09

If the sill height is substantially lower at the back than the front then I would look at the springs as well as shocks.

The great thing about 940s (and 93 model 960s) is that you can change the springs pretty much independently of the shocks. Yes you would need to remove the lower shock mount and sway bar to extend the springs enough to remove them. Perhaps see how you go with the shocks and then think about these:

I'm pretty convinced that the guy selling these has incorrectly marked them as Volvo 960 92 wagon model IRS springs.
Firstly 92 model Volvo 960 wagons had a live axle the same as the 940 sedans. They didn't get IRS till 95 in which case they had a single transverse elliptical fibreglass spring. They are IPD and only $105.00 or make an offer: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 0609530712 I've messaged the seller and can't seem to get any sense from him. Then the listing goes on to say they will suit 940 wagons (which had the same suspension as 960 92-94 wagons and 940 sedans. The markings on them denote IPD part number 6S7456

Perhaps give IPD a call and run this number past them.

Post by **billofdurham** » 07 Jan 2011, 12:39

92 model Volvo 960 wagons had a live axle the same as the 940 sedans

My '91 960 saloon had multi-link suspension with Nivomats. The Nivomats were probably put on by a previous owner as VADIS shows them from 1995 only. However VADIS shows all 960 saloon models with multi-link suspension.

If the shock absorbers are leaking and rusty they should be changed as a matter of urgency as they can't possibly work. If you can squeeze the coil springs an inch with only one hand you are either very strong or the springs are very weak and I would go for the latter.

Seriously, with suspension in that condition you are a danger to yourself and other road users.

Bill.

Skribb · Post by **Skribb** » 07 Jan 2011, 14:36

i looked under a neighbors 90 740 wagon earlier and noticed the springs in the rear of his are a bit thicker then my own and managed to find a part numer on the tag and discovered not only are the springs bad but are also for a sedan not a wagon i removed the shocks and sure enough they were gone nothing left in them now currently have problems seeing the previous owner i bought the car from welded the springs into the car so currently its sitting for awhile..i thank everyone for the replies and rest assured when i noticed how bad the suspension was i stopped driving it and pulled my other car out of storage until its repaired although a 72 oldsmobile 442 isnt to good in the winter lol...thanks again all much appreciated

Post by **precopster** » 07 Jan 2011, 17:41

Bill does this look like IRS to you? My own 93 960 wagon is LIVE also

My VADIS v6.7a.2775 shows the wagon as LIVE as in the photo below ( I selected the body as 5DRS S.R):

This should be the case until 95 when all wagons changed to IRS. Vadis also reflects this. Sedans or saloons (isn't a saloon where you buy a drink, play poker, watch a gunfight and drool over frilly can-can girls?? ) had IRS always.

I have read somewhere there were only 43 960 wagons imported into Australia. Does this mean I should consider myself lucky??

Post by **precopster** » 07 Jan 2011, 20:11

To further complicate things two different spring diameters were offered for your model as per the pic:

My VADIS shows the 92-93 960 wagon model live axle uses the first two part numbers as well .

Those springs on eBay are looking more like what you need by the minute.

Post by **billofdurham** » 08 Jan 2011, 11:30

Mike, that is not multi-link but my car was one where you buy a drink, play poker, watch a gunfight and drool over frilly can-can girls. Obviously I missed out saloons when I said they all had multi-link. I have now amended that. That's what happens when you type too quickly, or I should say, when I type too quickly.

Bill.