v70 XC AWD Reinstall Rear Coil Springs

mfmcadams · Post by **mfmcadams** » 28 Jul 2017, 20:15

The AWD version has the shock absorber inside the spring. The old one came out in pieces, and the cap took some work to get out. The new one needs to go back in as a unit after compressing the spring and attaching the shock absorber to the cap, but the upper cap does not fit into the hole. The instructions I have seen, just say stick it back in...

Is there some trick or tip I am missing?

Post by **SuperHerman** » 29 Jul 2017, 00:41

A picture would help. But my guess is you have either not compressed it enough - or the cap is to be installed from the vehicle inside.

mfmcadams · Post by **mfmcadams** » 29 Jul 2017, 08:45

The upper shock must be bolted to the top cap, which precludes installing the cap in the car body first. Pictures attached.

Thanks for the much needed assistance.

Side question - is there a difference between V70 XC AWD and XC70?

Post by **SuperHerman** » 29 Jul 2017, 21:28

Yes and no. The engine changed from a 2.4T to a 2.5T. The throttle body also changed. Some other things also changed.

Basically they are the same. They changed the nomenclature from V70 XC to XC70 starting in 2003 I believe. For most parts they are the same car. 2002 was a larger change on the engine side, but that is more evolution and refinement. It was really a marketing move that remains today.

Glad you got it figured out. To be honest - your picture rang no memories - even though I swapped these exact parts out on a 2001 about 5 years ago.

Fataqui · Post by **Fataqui** » 29 Jul 2017, 22:42

Hi

It all depends on your product id / code for your rear coil springs. But most all XC70(s) that are not self leveling use (2) different coil springs (right = 9473371), (left = 8646865) and that sometimes causes a lot of reassemble troubles especially on the left-side, drivers-side, because many coil spring manufactures just make the (right-side = 9473371) but then they say (9473371 = 8646865) and it doesn't. Besides buying the left-side coil spring directly from a Volvo Dealer (8646865) only (Suplex 38122 = 8646865) makes a direct replacement that actually fits all xc70(s) left-side coil spring from 01 - 07 without self leveling.

BrianIwasiwkaC30V70 · Post by **BrianIwasiwkaC30V70** » 01 May 2025, 08:58

I did the whole thing. You need to pull the lower control arms down together, giving you more space to insert the complete strut. You need to use a high tension belt/winch to pull them down and open the upper area for insert. See '1A Auto' video, (Sue) for assistance. Not easy at any rate, but do-able. The entire unit can rotate once in, so a full wheel alignment needs to be done afterwards.
Brian I.
C30 V70