Considering air shocks for my 850 Turbo

volvoaddict007 · Post by **volvoaddict007** » 12 Mar 2012, 19:23

I have always liked air shocks because I can change the look of the car occasionally:

A) Is there any reason I can't install air shocks?

B) Can anyone recommend a brand if this is doable?

C) Is there a better way to raise the rear 1-2 inches either adjustable or non adjustable ?

Post by **3903davis** » 13 Mar 2012, 09:56

i used air bags that went in side of the springs for my toyota van. that made a nice change and took the sway out in the mountain roads

so you want to lift the rear with air and i would also like to lift the front as well as the rear.
my 850 just sits too low.
i hit the darn curb when i park at work.
i have new struts and shocks all around.
a nice 2 inch lift would be great, thought of having the springs re sprung/ stretched.

any thoughts

volvoaddict007 · Post by **volvoaddict007** » 13 Mar 2012, 11:44

Yeah I've seen the air bag option. Don't know anything about those. That may stiffen the ride (better handling, less comfort which is OK) or perhaps at least keep it from softening as the height is raised. And sounds like they re adjustable with their own compressor on at least some brands.

I'd like to raise my 760 wagon all the way around for sure. I have diesel springs that lift it a bit more than stock I believe (They were already installed when I bought the vehicle) but would like to raise that whole thing an inch or 2 more so that it looks like 4 wheel drive. I installed 1 1/4" spacers that put the 850 wheels out closer to the wells that make it look more stout.

volvoaddict007 · Post by **volvoaddict007** » 13 Mar 2012, 11:48

PS: The 760 pic on the avatar was before the spacers

Post by **3903davis** » 15 Mar 2012, 12:36

volvoaddict007
where did you get the 1 1/4 lifts?
and i am sure you had to have the front end re-aligned.
did you also do the back?
bd

volvoaddict007 · Post by **volvoaddict007** » 15 Mar 2012, 14:25

3903davis wrote:volvoaddict007
where did you get the 1 1/4 lifts?
and i am sure you had to have the front end re-aligned.
did you also do the back?
bd

They are not lifts but spacers that move the wheels outward. I ordered them at a local tire shop (Custom Rim and TIre in El Monte, CA ) and had custom made. They bolt to the existing studs and have their own studs. I'm pretty sure these allow you to change the bolt pattern as well although the 850 pattern is the same. You have to have a minimum 1 1/4" to allow space and strength for the new studs but they can be custom made to any thickness over that.

The 850 wheels have more offset than 740 wheels so they look a bit "narrow" from the side view. The spacers also allow for fitting wheels with too much offset that cause rubbing on front end parts and inner wells which was the case with the rear of the 760.

Unfortunately a lot of the Volvos have 108mm bolt patterns which is not very common.

Post by **MoVolvos** » 15 Mar 2012, 15:51

Raising or lower your car is not to be taken lightly as Volvo's are not straight line drag cars or lifted trucks but rather to be driven more like those cars on a road course!

Raising your car may cause your shocks or struts to be damaged on the upward bounce. Normally it is designed with enough travel on the upward and downward motion but it is during the upward motion that the car usually bottoms out so the bumpstop is there as an add protection however there is no add protection if your strut is stretch full length and with added height is may fully extend more than is normal and damage the piston's seal assembly internally.

You will notice that some Manufacturers allow for lowering of the vehicle by having height adjusters on the spring perch but not for raising the vehicle. You will need longer shocks if you intend to raise it by the way of spring or spacers in the spring seat but they will be valved for your vehicle.

As for spacers on the wheel the rim offset is design to be in the center or close to the center of the wheel bearing axes. When the wheel is extended outward it put more stress on the bearing unevenly and causes premature wear. Having the wheel further out causes the wheel to travel a slight larger arc in the wheel well around the designed strut travel or axes. Stretch out your arm and lift a 10 lbs dumbbell and try attaching the same dumbbell on a short stick or piece of wood and you notice a difference in strain and axes travel at your arm length and the extended length. It maybe cool to look at or play around with but it not cool for the health of the suspension.

Blessings,

BKM

volvoaddict007 · Post by **volvoaddict007** » 16 Mar 2012, 11:19

BKM98 S70 T5 wrote:

Raising or lower your car is not to be taken lightly...

Agreed. Shock seal damage caused by air bags... hmm, well the shock isn't extending more than it would launching out of roadway valleys or up on a lift but yes it would be like constantly launching the vehicle or hanging the suspension which the shocks are not designed for. This a good point in favor of air shocks (as opposed to air bags) that are designed to be extended more although their primary purpose I suppose is to add pressure while towing loads and adjusting for tongue weight.

Really good info on the wheel spacers. I never thought of it like that. The car does tend to have a front end shimmy if the tires are out of balance etc. and occasionally will shimmy a bit at certain speeds.

Yes, this business of raising a car and moving wheels outward merely for looks is rather high schoolish but it is one of the reasons I own older cars of lesser value and have several so there aren't a ton of miles put on them and am willing to sacrifice longevity of parts wear for looks because that's mostly what I do with the 850 especially (just look at it)... maybe 3K driven a year since I bought a '93 300zx.

The fact that I have the mentality of something between a prepubescent and adolescent most of the time probably doesn't help matters pertaining to the health of suspension parts... and tires... and CV joints, transmissions, DMV records etc.

Thanks BKM for your insight.

Post by **MoVolvos** » 16 Mar 2012, 19:11

Hi volvoaddict007,

If you can find the air shocks and decide to install them I like to know how it rides. I thought about how to raise the front and back of my 98 S70 T5 because I see a lot of Volvo's in my area on Craigslist for sale that have their front ends damaged completely and the bumpers are still intact so I thought about raising the car also.

Blessings,

BKM

volvoaddict007 · Post by **volvoaddict007** » 16 Mar 2012, 19:26

BKM98 S70 T5 wrote:.

... I thought about how to raise the front and back of my 98 S70 T5 because I see a lot of Volvo's in my area on Craigslist for sale that have their front ends damaged completely and the bumpers are still intact so I thought about raising the car also.

.

.

Hey BKM,

I'm a bit confused on your post there. Could you explain please?

.