Lowering Suspension

[volvoaddict007]

A good part of the thrill of owning my 850 T is the way the beast handles... stock. The 850 has "passive" rear steering developed by VOLVO. When cornering and under compression the rear suspension "turns". I don't understand it but read it on a site under 1995 850 Turbo. The site gave a simplified rundown on the history including being the first car w/ Side Impact Protection System (SIPS).

I usually like the way cars look lowered but in my opinion, this is just not one of them.

My 760T ( 940T ) wagon has diesel springs with 1 coil cut to maintain the stock height, and Koni shocks. A vast improvement and will OUTHANDLE ( edited from ALMOST ) stay w/ the stock 850.

Before messing with the V70 suspension I would have to have a specialist's opinion before proceeding.

Would someone please elaborate on what I've mentioned here?

va007

[csbrianp]

I have 2 850s and both are lowered. On my turbo I cut the springs about a coil and a half to get the ride level I was shooting for. I run my cars on the track at Phoenix International Raceway and a stock 850 is a terrible handling car. I ended up cutting the rear springs even more than the front to get the car to sit level. The reason for this is when entering a corner under braking the front end would drive causing the back to come around. I had the only front drive car with an over steering problem. I finally ended up buying 260lb stock car springs for the back.

On my 850R I purchased H&R Springs from the Tire Shack for $214. They were much easier to install than the cut springs and the ride might be a little better.

Bottom line, lowering your car makes it handle noticeably better which is why you would do it in the first place. On the other hand they ride very poorly at slow speeds.

Brian

[Eddie Plum]

I appreciate this is an old thread, but Google still brings it up fairly high on the search results so I hope you don't mind me bringing it back to the fore by adding this comment.

In case it's useful to anyone, I have actually recently written a blog post about how to upgrade Volvo 850 suspension springs for lowered items - in my case, I've dropped a standard 850 GLT by 40mm (FYI, this is the maximum allowable on a standard 850; lower than this would require shortened shocks [dampers] as well)

You can find the post here.

Another point to note is that the coils at either end of the spring are slightly different to those in the main part, so I certainly wouldn't recommend cutting the stock springs; they just won't fit properly.

Ed.

[matthew1]

I appreciate this is an old thread, but Google still brings it up fairly high on the search results so I hope you don't mind me bringing it back to the fore by adding this comment.

Not at all. I prefer old topics be appended to rather than new ones started. Keeps knowledge together.

In case it's useful to anyone, I have actually recently written a blog post about how to upgrade Volvo 850 suspension springs for lowered items - in my case, I've dropped a standard 850 GLT by 40mm (FYI, this is the maximum allowable on a standard 850; lower than this would require shortened shocks [dampers] as well)

Very good writeup. Thanks for the link.

IPD lowering Springs - 15% off in 3 days: http://www.ipdusa.com/blogs/244/summer-web-sale-event

"ipd sport springs will lower your Volvo approximately 1.65" to 1.75" and the spring rate is increased approximately 20%."

That's 42-44mm.

http://www.ipdusa.com/products/4951/113 ... 8-2004-c70

I'm going to pull the trigger on this deal.

[jcmahoney]

I'd prefer to not have my ride much more stiff, but am considering lowering. My mechanic loves Eibachs, but was impressed with IPD sway bars.

So - IPD or Eibach to lower a 99V70 without a decrease in comfort? Or neither?

Thanks!

[VicBrick]

I have the IPD springs on a 94 855, the car looks fantastic with them, and even without the IPD swaybars will go hard and flat into(and out) of a corner.
That being said I didn't spend the extra dollars on beefier shocks. I did put new Bilstein TC's on, but should have done the HD's or perhaps Koni's, the lowering springs are a little jarring for a daily driver.
I will do it again, but the TC's w/stock shocks or HD's/Koni's w/IPD springs.
A short side note, keep your tires below 225/45R17, I experience some rubbing with this setup.(it does look aggressive though!) My winters are 205/50R16 and are fine.

[papariccardo]

This IPD lowering kit seem to be the answer for my T5. Only worry I have is I'm now wearing BBS 18" alloys with 225/35/R18s, same rolling diameter as the stock T5 wheels but 20mm wider.

Is there any way I can get a better shipping price? I was auto-quoted between $166 & $370 to ship via IPD, on top of the very reasonable $240 buy price. (Yet I can but USA oranges for $2 a kilo!! How does that work?)

[98T5]

Don't cut the springs. that's for amatuers. drop your car the right way with lowering springs from H&R or Eibac. I went with H&R and still have the 16inch factory Volvo turbine wheels and I love the stance I got. almost 2 inches in the back and 1.4 in the front. Bilstein HD's up front and Konis out back. love it but might go with Bilbsteins out back when the Konis wear out. I prefer Bilstein. G'luck with your drop and show the pics after you do it!!!

[s70fanman]

I have lowered my s70 by buying the IPD lowering/sport springs and they lowered the car by 1.75 inches and they are much easier to get along with than the stock "turbo springs" and I have to say that I flat love the look and the ride, the car handles like it should and it looks flat cool.

[Juan62]

jcmahoney,

If you plan on lowering your car without much more stiffness, then I recommend H&R sports springs. You did not mention replacing your struts/shocks. Look into the different setups before you make your finally investment.
Juan