Login Register

V70 Rear Shocks - Bilstein Touring vs KYB Gas-A-Just

Help, Advice, Owners' Discussion and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's stylish, distinctive P2 platform cars sold as model years 2001-2007 (North American market year designations).

2001 - 2007 V70
2001 - 2004 V70 XC (Cross Country)
2004 - 2007 XC70 (Cross Country)
2001 - 2009 S60
2003 - 2007 S60 R
2004 - 2007 V70 R

Post Reply
User avatar
E Showell
Posts: 3275
Joined: 16 October 2008
Year and Model: ‘07 S80 3.2
Location: Long Valley, N.J.
Has thanked: 37 times
Been thanked: 111 times

Re: V70 Rear Shocks - Bilstein Touring vs KYB Gas-A-Just

Post by E Showell »

Koni FSDs. But I've got the full package front and rear.
'98 V70 NA FWD 5 spd, silver sand metallic (sold)
'99 V70 NA FWD Auto, dark blue (sold)
'99 S70 NA FWD Auto, black (sold and resurrected -- Don't cry for me Argentina . . . )
'07 S80 3.2 FWD Auto, Barents Blue Metallic
'06 V70 R AWD Auto, Sonic Blue Metallic (sold)
'04 XC70 Ruby Red Metallic (sold)
'95 855 auto (sold)
'86 245 manual (sold)
'05 V70 T5 M (totalled)
'06 V70 FWD Auto (totalled)
'02 Honda Insight CVT
‘04 Honda Insight CVT — “Yesterday’s car of tomorrow” (sold)
‘06 Honda Insight CVT

cn90
Posts: 8249
Joined: 31 March 2010
Year and Model: 2004 V70 2.5T
Location: Omaha NE
Has thanked: 4 times
Been thanked: 466 times

Post by cn90 »

Hi guys,

I have a question re 2004 V70 2.5T with 125K miles REAR SHOCK MOUNT...

I have replaced a few of these shocks in different Volvos over the years and wrote it up in forum.
I have noticed that at 110K-130K range, the REAR shocks are usually bad but the Mounts are usually good for another 100K.
Since the Mount is basically a piece of solid rubber vulcanized around a metal plate, it has very little "sway" movements.

What are youur thoughts of keeping the shock mounts at 125K and replace them at 200K+?

PS: I can afford the mounts, but my philosophy is if not broken, why replace them?
2004 V70 2.5T 100K+
2005 XC90 2.5T 110K+

xHeart
Posts: 3306
Joined: 3 December 2011
Year and Model: 2.0/3.2
Location: Great Lakes - USA
Has thanked: 113 times
Been thanked: 115 times

Post by xHeart »

cn90 wrote: 06 Jan 2022, 18:10
What are youur thoughts of keeping the shock mounts at 125K and replace them at 200K+?

PS: I can afford the mounts, but my philosophy is if not broken, why replace them?
The rear of the car had lost traction and went sideways few times during the wet winter driving condition several years ago. No issues and way stable rear since the service; now at 210, 000 miles.

The rear suspension was overhauled around 190,000 miles; more here viewtopic.php?f=9&t=91242&hilit=2001+V70XC

I was prepared to replace items #5 & #6 (see diagram below). The item #5 was deformed a little but NO damage, hard as rock. It took me some effort to keep the shock stay at the stopper using vise grip during assembly; this part is discontinued, neither Volvo nor FCP would supply. Item #6 had no visible damage or tear; but I replaced it with new.
Image
--
Golden-German Shepherd | 2021 XC90 T6 INSCRIPTION (Nexa) | 2020 V60CC (Frska) | 2013A XC90 (Lktra)
Past: Golden Retriever | 2001 V70XC | 1997 Volvo 854 | 1989 Volvo 740 GL | 1979 Volvo 240

User avatar
- Pete -
Posts: 960
Joined: 6 December 2013
Year and Model: 01, 04, 04, 04 V70's
Location: Minnesota/Wisconsin
Has thanked: 80 times
Been thanked: 175 times

Post by - Pete - »

cn90 wrote: 06 Jan 2022, 18:10 Hi guys,

I have a question re 2004 V70 2.5T with 125K miles REAR SHOCK MOUNT...

I have replaced a few of these shocks in different Volvos over the years and wrote it up in forum.
I have noticed that at 110K-130K range, the REAR shocks are usually bad but the Mounts are usually good for another 100K.
Since the Mount is basically a piece of solid rubber vulcanized around a metal plate, it has very little "sway" movements.

What are youur thoughts of keeping the shock mounts at 125K and replace them at 200K+?

PS: I can afford the mounts, but my philosophy is if not broken, why replace them?
My mounts are still good on the 311k mile XC70. I see no reason to replace them if they are intact & not completely mushroomed out.
I do think the shocks on mine could be replaced though. Even with the potholed roads & salt up here they sure do seem to last an incredibly long time.
2001 V70XC 200k
2004 V70 AWD 174k
2004 V70R M66 147k
2004 XC70 361k
1995 F250 7.3PSD 262k
2014 Ram 3500 DRW 116k

User avatar
erikv11
Posts: 11800
Joined: 25 July 2009
Year and Model: 850, V70, S60R, XC70
Location: Iowa
Has thanked: 292 times
Been thanked: 765 times

Post by erikv11 »

I replaced the rear shocks at 170k on the 07 XC70. Even though the shocks were definitely not bad yet they were original and aging. The ride did improve some with the replacement. Did not need to replace the mounts, they were fine.
'95 854 T-5R, Motronic 4.4, 185k
'98 V70, T5 tune-injectors-turbo, LPT engine, 304k, daily driver
'06 S60 R, 197k
'07 XC70, black, 205k
'07 XC70, willow green, 212k
'99 Camry V6 :shock: 153k
gone: '96 NA 850 210k, '98 NA V70 182k, '98 S70 NA 225k, '96 855 NA 169k

User avatar
MoVolvos
Posts: 5270
Joined: 15 January 2012
Year and Model: S&V70XC,S60,C30,XC90
Location: NC
Has thanked: 310 times
Been thanked: 524 times

Post by MoVolvos »

*
The entire system is designed to work together to tame the ups and downs of the road. Image the older harder rubber as just a piece of metal. The shock would be asked to respond instantaneously to the ever rapidly changing minutia of road imperfections besides large and small bumps. Are the shock valving designed for the rapid changes alone or in conjunction with the rubber pieces which help dampen the minutia in the road. I think it would be probably be best to replace the rubber to assist the shocks. Will you feel it? Will the shock fluid heat up more due to the demand? Perhaps a minutia more road noise?


*
Blessings,

BKM


2008 C30 T5 2.0 M66
2007 S60 2.5T - New Project
2003 S80 T6 Transmission DIED
2000 S70 SE Base - New Project
1998 S70 T5 Prior
1989 240 Wagon Prior

cn90
Posts: 8249
Joined: 31 March 2010
Year and Model: 2004 V70 2.5T
Location: Omaha NE
Has thanked: 4 times
Been thanked: 466 times

Post by cn90 »

Re: REAR Endlinks 31201603. How long do these last?

https://www.fcpeuro.com/Parts/?keywords=31201603
2004 V70 2.5T 100K+
2005 XC90 2.5T 110K+

User avatar
MoVolvos
Posts: 5270
Joined: 15 January 2012
Year and Model: S&V70XC,S60,C30,XC90
Location: NC
Has thanked: 310 times
Been thanked: 524 times

Post by MoVolvos »

cn90 wrote: 08 Jan 2022, 15:08 Re: REAR Endlinks 31201603. How long do these last?

https://www.fcpeuro.com/Parts/?keywords=31201603
On our 03 Odyssey the boot broke around 220K and replaced around 230K. Just pushed grease in with a gun and needle tip. The good joints were floppy. Replaced the 08 C30's at around 130K when a larger rear sway bar went in. OE's were floppy but not damaged. While you're in there good idea to just replace them. 100K or 10 years is good enough but could last the lifetime for those who put on mostly highway miles on smooth roads and don't pull G's around corners and offramps. Speaking of Offramp.

*

Offramp - Pat Metheny Group
*



.
Blessings,

BKM


2008 C30 T5 2.0 M66
2007 S60 2.5T - New Project
2003 S80 T6 Transmission DIED
2000 S70 SE Base - New Project
1998 S70 T5 Prior
1989 240 Wagon Prior

xHeart
Posts: 3306
Joined: 3 December 2011
Year and Model: 2.0/3.2
Location: Great Lakes - USA
Has thanked: 113 times
Been thanked: 115 times

Post by xHeart »

cn90 wrote: 08 Jan 2022, 15:08 Re: REAR Endlinks 31201603. How long do these last?

https://www.fcpeuro.com/Parts/?keywords=31201603
The boots were fine but the ball joint loose and excessively casual, dead as it gets. I found a Volvo pair for $20 on local CL some years ago. So replaced it during the rear suspension refresh.

Our 2001 V70XC AWD is a mechanical device (viscous coupling), hence a through care at 200,000 maintenance was prudent.
--
Golden-German Shepherd | 2021 XC90 T6 INSCRIPTION (Nexa) | 2020 V60CC (Frska) | 2013A XC90 (Lktra)
Past: Golden Retriever | 2001 V70XC | 1997 Volvo 854 | 1989 Volvo 740 GL | 1979 Volvo 240

cn90
Posts: 8249
Joined: 31 March 2010
Year and Model: 2004 V70 2.5T
Location: Omaha NE
Has thanked: 4 times
Been thanked: 466 times

Post by cn90 »

In the P80 (1998 V70), I modified the REAR shock procedure to do it with rear tire on the ground but on a wood ramp (no need to remove the rear wheel or lift the rear)...

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=28318&start=30


Image


Has anyone here replaced the REAR shock in a P2 car using same technique: rear tire on the ground but on a wood ramp?
Car is 2004 V70 2.5T FWD...
Last edited by cn90 on 11 Jan 2022, 18:07, edited 1 time in total.
2004 V70 2.5T 100K+
2005 XC90 2.5T 110K+

Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post