My 850 to-do list for summer

Post by **matthew1** » 01 Jun 2003, 16:51

1. Timing belt
Coming up on 70k miles, the recommended change interval.

2. Distributor cap n' plugs

3. Wiper blades and headlight blades

4. Coolant flush and replace

5. Maybe -- front shocks
My mounts are worn and starting to 'groan' under accelleration

I'm going to go with Bilstein Touring shocks.

~ ~ ~

blenheimpalace · Post by **blenheimpalace** » 04 Mar 2004, 20:31

What kind of ride change is there using them? Any noticable difference than say a new set of stock OEM shocks?

I'm all for a smoother ride on my 95 850 wagon.

EV guest · Post by **EV guest** » 04 Mar 2004, 21:27

I replaced my OEM struts (112k, 96 850 wagon) with Bilstein touring last Fall. Did shocks (rear) at the same time. Now the clunking is gone (had some broken mounts) and the car doesn't float around the way it used to on especially rough roads (NY area freeways - essentially all of 'em), but overall I'd say the ride is about the same: a little harsh and jarring on rough roads at high

speeds, fabulous on smooth winding asphalt. Also handling is marginally improved, that slight body roll is gone, but I can't compare it to when OEMs were new, I didn't own the car until 92k.

HTH -

EV

Post by **matthew1** » 04 Mar 2004, 22:44

I still haven't changed em. Instead I changed jobs, got married and bought a house.

camper guy · Post by **camper guy** » 08 Mar 2004, 10:37

I bought my car on consignment from a dealer. The previous owner was a performance junkie. I have a rattle in the exhaust, my mechanic say's it's the oversized tail pipe banging the bumper, not much I can do. The brakes squeal, guess I'll have to pull the pads and do the brake grease thing. He also put in new springs and shocks from what I can see and the car has a very stiff ride. My wife's Grand Cherokee rides smoother.

All in all still a great car and minor stuff. Things like the IPD chip for power and the wiper delay are great.

Geevs · Post by **Geevs** » 12 Mar 2004, 13:17

Hi all,

Anyone consider the Bilstein HD shocks instead of the Bilstein Touring? From what I have read the HDs provide significantly better ride than the Touring. Someone at Volvospeed is selling a new set (struts and shocks) of HDs for U$350. www.shox.com sells them for U$400.

I am also considering changing my stock shocks. It could be time for a change since there is some suspension rattle coming from the back whenever I hit a bad patch. Any ideas what is causing it?

Thanks,
Geevs

Post by **matthew1** » 12 Mar 2004, 14:21

I can't comment firsthand on the Bilsteins because I still have my original ones on. Either way, keeping new shocks on the car is never a bad thing because every component suffers when the shocks are worn.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 06 May 2004, 14:39

I went from the factory struts to the BILSTEIN HD. Gawd what a difference! Much better damped wth greater control and very little body roll. Megge a bit harder ride than stock. Wonderful shocks, highly recommened.