2001 V70XC - Out of nowhere comes snapped spring

[JRL]

I think all the new springs have them
It's high and going to stay high for a while

[wouterve]

Thanks JRL, that’s good to know—I’ll just live with that for a while then. I just measured my ride height and it’s at 17 ¼" on level ground, so accounting for it settling about ½ an inch over time, and the addition of that spring isolator that probably adds another ¼" or so, the current situation sounds about right.

I’ll take the car for an alignment this week (didn’t want to do it right after installing the springs) since I think the camber could use a little adjustment, and I’ll have the shop install new rear springs and shocks in June. The car already rides much better now with just the front taken care of, so I’m looking forward to the improvements that a fully new suspension will bring.

[xHeart]

Few photos of old spring.
There was a crack where rust had taken hold.
Enamel paint coat over the last ring is peeled off. This ring sits in the rubber cushion where water and salt accumulate and does it magic.

6 rings coil spring with rusted last ring

rust build up in crack

[xHeart]

Now you need to do the rears to match!
It MUST be sitting higher in the front

The front lifts up visibly at each take-off Jim. I noticed it while my wife drove away this morning. I txted her to be easy on gas, roll-off NOT take-off.
The rear suspension project is few months away. Would rear crack from some kinda stress?
I will replace rear hub assembly as well since it has become noisier at 20mph and above...a $1K project.

[xHeart]

...
What did you use as your measurement points? I can go out to my car tomorrow and see how mine measures up.
...

Ride height is measuring the distance from center of the center-hubcap to the edge of the fender.
...

IPD's ride height measurement http://www.ipdusa.com/techtips/10027/ride-height-measurement?crumbs=P0,P4951

[dgilber]

Hello, hoping to get some advice on this old thread. I have a 2006 XC70 with 180K miles. I am looking to replace the front struts and springs with a Sachs/OEM Quick Strut Kit. This includes springs and struts. At approx. 150K miles the rear shocks were replaced, but not springs. Question: Am I looking at a long term front-high ride height moving forward? I am concerned about drivability and uneven ride height looks. I really don't want to touch the rear springs. thanks

[Rattnalle]

Looks. Maybe a little.

Safety and driveability. No not unless the difference is too large because the rears are so shot you really really need to replace those as wellm

[xHeart]

It's the rear spring and shock that make riding fun and comfortable. Overhauling front suspension improves steering control, safety and stability, not as much the overall ride. Overhaul the rear to get a true feel of new ride.

[oragex]

Some aftermarket items (spring, strut) may jack the car more than it was originally designed. Of course the car will sit higher compared to the old components, but it's important not to sit higher than it was when it left the factory. If this happens, the overall handling is affected more or less (along with the driving 'pleasure'), noticeably more as the car goes faster, such as at highway speeds, where emergency handling can become an issue. This is especially true with new components in front and old ones in the rear.

I'd stick at least with genuine springs to be safe.

Check these videos of a new 2003 and 2008 XC70 for a comparison.

@ 5:24

[abscate]

That crack looks more like A defect in casting than a rust failure.

I just snapped both on the BMW practicingbeing the tortoise for the June 500 coming up in NC, but this time did the job for $200in springs and two hours. $1400 saved from last time and used a better part instead of the soft , expensive BMW part. Best parts were doing it on a muted conference call and buying the hardware cheap local and eating the free sandwiches in the BMW lounge, surrounded by 35 year old guys trying to look rich while BMW drains their wallets.