Radiator protection?

Post by **June** » Wed Jun 03, 2020 7:31 am

I'm not sure about "lifting the front end" as Oragex mentioned. My dealer simply replaced the springs, struts, and related hardware which brought my cars front end back to it's original height. In fact after replacement my car drove better than it had in years. I tend to zip down the highway 90mph+ rather consistently without issue. Usually I don't even realize I'm driving that fast. So replacing front end parts with factory parts should not lift your Volvo. Just bring it back to its original stance which allows it to clear parking barriers once again. June

Post by **Rattnalle** » Wed Jun 03, 2020 8:24 am

June wrote: ↑Wed Jun 03, 2020 7:31 am I'm not sure about "lifting the front end" as Oragex mentioned. My dealer simply replaced the springs, struts, and related hardware which brought my cars front end back to it's original height. In fact after replacement my car drove better than it had in years. I tend to zip down the highway 90mph+ rather consistently without issue. Usually I don't even realize I'm driving that fast. So replacing front end parts with factory parts should not lift your Volvo. Just bring it back to its original stance which allows it to clear parking barriers once again. June

Agreed. My V70 also gained at least an inch with new springs and shocks all around.

But those barrier things seem like a terribly poor design to me. Either just don't or make them high enough to be seen.

Post by **June** » Wed Jun 03, 2020 8:32 am

Rattnalle wrote: ↑Wed Jun 03, 2020 8:24 am
June wrote: ↑Wed Jun 03, 2020 7:31 am I'm not sure about "lifting the front end" as Oragex mentioned. My dealer simply replaced the springs, struts, and related hardware which brought my cars front end back to it's original height. In fact after replacement my car drove better than it had in years. I tend to zip down the highway 90mph+ rather consistently without issue. Usually I don't even realize I'm driving that fast. So replacing front end parts with factory parts should not lift your Volvo. Just bring it back to its original stance which allows it to clear parking barriers once again. June
Agreed. My V70 also gained at least an inch with new springs and shocks all around.

But those barrier things seem like a terribly poor design to me. Either just don't or make them high enough to be seen.

Here in the US those barriers are from a time Americans drove cars like these. June

Faust · Post by **Faust** » Wed Jun 03, 2020 8:34 am

The fact that the cars are known to 'sink" is still further reason to provide some protection for the radiator. Making the job of replacement a little easier wouldn't hurt either.

Post by **June** » Wed Jun 03, 2020 8:52 am

Faust wrote: ↑Wed Jun 03, 2020 8:34 am The fact that the cars are known to 'sink" is still further reason to provide some protection for the radiator. Making the job of replacement a little easier wouldn't hurt either.

I agree! June

Post by **- Pete -** » Wed Jun 03, 2020 9:01 am

Faust, if your radiator separated/cracked where the plastic end tanks meet the aluminum radiator body, did you take a close look at the intercooler & condenser also?

Faust · Post by **Faust** » Wed Jun 03, 2020 9:15 am

No, I will inspect them when the radiator is removed. I have done this so many times that I don't anticipate any damage. This is my 4th V70 radiator. (two to the same parking barrier, what does that say about me?)

Post by **June** » Wed Jun 03, 2020 9:29 am

Faust wrote: ↑Wed Jun 03, 2020 9:15 am No, I will inspect them when the radiator is removed. I have done this so many times that I don't anticipate any damage. This is my 4th V70 radiator. (two to the same parking barrier, what does that say about me?)

Since I am out shopping I took some pictures of my car vs. barricade clearance. My struts/springs were replaced back in 2017/18 at about 150K miles. Now at 198K and a couple of years notice how much clearance I have. Also note my rear suspension is completely factory never touched and the car front end is not too high for the rear. Notice other cars parked next to me cannot clear the barricade, one even backs in as the front bumper would be destroyed due to low angle. Your P2 V70 should clear it like mine. June

Post by **June** » Wed Jun 03, 2020 9:51 am

My favorite spot was open at Publix and apparently it is a cement curb rather than a barricade. In any event as these pictures show my car still clears the curb fine now. This is the spot where I did my radiator in. Yes Abscate, I'm a crazy woman driver!

June

Faust · Post by **Faust** » Wed Jun 03, 2020 9:55 am

I am not so much concerned with clearance, as I am that the radiator extends below the front "skirt". If that skirt rubbed, I would have some warning. The principal offender (the one that has gotten me twice) seems to be higher than normal. However it doesn't strike the skirt, giving a warning, but catches the radiator.

Radiator protection?

Re: Radiator protection?