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Front suspension too low? - '96 850SE Topic is solved

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

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aliff850
Posts: 12
Joined: 30 June 2016
Year and Model: 1996 Volvo 850SE
Location: Malaysia

Front suspension too low? - '96 850SE

Post by aliff850 »

Hey guys I'm having this fairly irritating problem on my 850. The shock absorber on my car was replaced not too long ago by the previous owner, and they're from another 850 and was in pretty good when he replaced it. However the front end is considerably low and in fact it's very low to the point that the front wheels would launch themselves up the arches at some point and when I'm doing a full u-turn the wheels would just scrape on the inside of the arches. The suspension itself is rock hard, and won't absorb a single bump, as if I'm in a racing car, but at certain points it would absorb catastrophically and launch the front wheels up as I've mentioned. I've sent the car to some mechanics and they suggested a set of new shocks and springs, but I'm not so sure, yet. I've heard of some 850 owners facing the same issue (maybe not) about the suspension being hard, and if so what might be the cause and how do I repair it?

JRL
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Post by JRL »

Time for new (correct) shocks and possibly springs
Mod note. Jim passed away in early 2022, his contributions to this forum are immortal, and he is missed. RIP

2000 V70R Black, 144,000 miles Wife's R.
2007 V70 2.5T White/Oak 111,000 MILES. Polestar tune, IPD bars, rear spoiler, dark grey Thors, DWS 06, HU850, sub.

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oragex
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Post by oragex »

Did the previous owner cut the coil springs? Anyway, as above, time for new/good used original complete strut assembly

aliff850
Posts: 12
Joined: 30 June 2016
Year and Model: 1996 Volvo 850SE
Location: Malaysia

Post by aliff850 »

The owner didn't cut the coil springs, he only did the shock absorber replacements. What set of shocks and springs do you suggest?

tryingbe
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Post by tryingbe »

Do you want stock ride and feel? If so, by stock replacement springs, struts, strut mount, strut bearings, and shocks.
85 GLH, 367 whp
00 Insight, 72 mpg

aliff850
Posts: 12
Joined: 30 June 2016
Year and Model: 1996 Volvo 850SE
Location: Malaysia

Post by aliff850 »

Stock parts here are a little bit costly, and rare too. Is there something aftermarket that makes it ride just as good?

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misha
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Post by misha »

Yep....Sachs(oem),Bilstein Touring,KYB,Monroe....it's up to you.
Monroe will give you pretty comfortable ride but a little "floaty" for my taste.
'97 850 2.5 20v / fully equipped / Motronic 4.4 from the factory / upgraded with S,V,C,XC70 instrument cluster / polar white wagon
History of Volvos in the family:
'71 144 S
'73 144 De Luxe
'78 244 DL
'78 244 DL
'79 244 GLE
'85 340 GLS

aliff850
Posts: 12
Joined: 30 June 2016
Year and Model: 1996 Volvo 850SE
Location: Malaysia

Post by aliff850 »

Thanks. I actually just found a set of Bilsteins.

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