Swapped the struts yesterday. Smooth job and very glad I took the advice to use 4 spring compressors...those R springs are stout. Also installed new MOOG sway end links. Car feels much better and no more strut bearing chatter (the centers of the spring seats were broken away from the rest of the seat on the passenger side).
However, now there is a single suspsension "popping" sound every time I apply brakes to stop. Could firming up the sway bar and fixing the struts have exacerbated up a new suspension wear issue? I took a look at the control arm bushings while apart and there was some age cracking but they were not shot. any ideas ?
Also, do I need to get a front alignment after a strut change?
R-type struts?
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chitownV
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Yes, changing new suspension parts can reveal the wear on original suspension parts. However, I would first double-check the end link tightness or if the Moog part is bad (new parts can come bad). If you have the original control arms at 120k miles, it is within normal mileage to replace those. Best results have been with original Volvo, polyurethane forward bushing, and/or a really good quality aftermarket. If you do, also change the ball joints and get new control arm bolts/nuts.
2008 XC90 3.2 AWD - 169k miles, Premium, Versatility 7 passenger, Climate, Convenience, retrofit Morimoto D2S HID bi-xenon, iPd swaybars & poly bushing inserts, Powerflex poly control arm bushings, Bilstein Touring Fr struts, Continental CrossContact LX25 255/55R18, Fr Infinity tweeters & speakers, hardwired cheap $17 Bluetooth to center console aux & pwr, CQuartz UK 3.0 ceramic coated, no oil consumption using Mobil 1 0W-40 even w/ my lead foot
Nivomat sports type two replacement.
Can someone confirm you have to still change original springs if you replace struts to bilstein or Koni?
what springs would be equivelent as I cant find any bilstiens 3 available and i dont want it lowered, my car plate is: car volvo plate 33aez5448d52 44 CBSB
thanks mark
Can someone confirm you have to still change original springs if you replace struts to bilstein or Koni?
what springs would be equivelent as I cant find any bilstiens 3 available and i dont want it lowered, my car plate is: car volvo plate 33aez5448d52 44 CBSB
thanks mark
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chitownV
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I would ask what is the purpose of replacing “sport” Nivomats and if any of the front suspension was replaced, because doing the maintenance and upgrades to the front is 70% of the handling and performance.
I would only replace the rear sport Nivomats if they were clearly leaking.
I would only replace the rear sport Nivomats if they were clearly leaking.
2008 XC90 3.2 AWD - 169k miles, Premium, Versatility 7 passenger, Climate, Convenience, retrofit Morimoto D2S HID bi-xenon, iPd swaybars & poly bushing inserts, Powerflex poly control arm bushings, Bilstein Touring Fr struts, Continental CrossContact LX25 255/55R18, Fr Infinity tweeters & speakers, hardwired cheap $17 Bluetooth to center console aux & pwr, CQuartz UK 3.0 ceramic coated, no oil consumption using Mobil 1 0W-40 even w/ my lead foot
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chitownV
- Posts: 296
- Joined: 17 May 2020
- Year and Model: 2008 XC90 3.2
- Location: Maryland
- Has thanked: 15 times
- Been thanked: 40 times
Btw, you can learn more about refreshing the front suspension and improving performance, a little about the biggest rear wear bushings that can improve handling if replaced, and more about decoding your suspension if you have sport parts. Link below.
https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/chit ... ts.590829/
https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/chit ... ts.590829/
2008 XC90 3.2 AWD - 169k miles, Premium, Versatility 7 passenger, Climate, Convenience, retrofit Morimoto D2S HID bi-xenon, iPd swaybars & poly bushing inserts, Powerflex poly control arm bushings, Bilstein Touring Fr struts, Continental CrossContact LX25 255/55R18, Fr Infinity tweeters & speakers, hardwired cheap $17 Bluetooth to center console aux & pwr, CQuartz UK 3.0 ceramic coated, no oil consumption using Mobil 1 0W-40 even w/ my lead foot
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