96 850 Time for Struts and Shocks, what's good now?

rick4484 · Post by **rick4484** » 15 Feb 2023, 18:17

I have a 98 S70 T5 and a 96 850 Turbo. In 2006, I installed Koni Front Struts (8710) and Bilstein rear shocks on the 850. It's time to replace them as the ride is harsh, teeth chattering, and every pot hole in the road feels like I'm jumping the Grand Canyon. In 2015, I needed to replace the struts and shocks on the S70, but did not want to go with Koni again due to the harsh, uncomfortable ride I noticed on the 850. IPD assured me that the KONI KONI SHOCK KIT FSD would be different, they were right. I installed them on my S70 and love them, and I'd buy them again.

IPD does not have them among the struts on their website, FCP has the Volvo Strut Kit - Koni STR.T 87501060KT, showing only the photo of a plain box. I'd like to achieve the same smooth comfortable ride that my S70 has, but for my 850. Anyone have experience with the Koni's from FCP? Or, a recommendation of any other brand that would lessen the horrible ride condition that I get when driving over pot holes, speed bumps, curbs, ravines, etc.

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 15 Feb 2023, 18:51

I have the Koni STR.T struts on my V70R, and the ride isn't excessively harsh. That said, I also have iPd springs on my car, so the ride is certainly more stiff due to those. With stock springs, they should be comfortable from what I've read.
That Koni number appears to be for yellow sports, which will be stiffer than the STR.T. The STR.T is their more basic sport strut.

That said, for a stock ride, I recommend using Sachs or Bilstein B4 (the black housing struts). They are about the same stiffness as the OEM struts, which I believe are Sachs.

Post by **Sveedy** » 15 Feb 2023, 19:03

I'm running the Koni Street Active's and I'm very happy with them. As I recall, I bought the shocks from FCP, and the struts from Jeggs.

Post by **erikv11** » 15 Feb 2023, 20:41

I like Bilstein B4 or Sachs on an 850. Sachs slightly more comfortable IMO.

Post by **MoVolvos** » 16 Feb 2023, 00:45

rick4484 wrote: ↑15 Feb 2023, 18:17 I have a 98 S70 T5 and a 96 850 Turbo. In 2006, I installed Koni Front Struts (8710) and Bilstein rear shocks on the 850. It's time to replace them as the ride is harsh, teeth chattering, and every pot hole in the road the road feels like I'm jumping the Grand Canyon. In 2015, I needed to replace the struts and shocks on the S70, but did not want to go with Koni again due to the harsh, uncomfortable ride I noticed on the 850. IPD assured me that the KONI KONI SHOCK KIT FSD would be different, they were right. I installed them on my S70 and love them, and I'd buy them again.

IPD does not have them among the struts on their website, FCP has the Volvo Strut Kit - Koni STR.T 87501060KT, showing only the photo of a plain box. I'd like to achieve the same smooth comfortable ride that my S70 has, but for my 850. Anyone have experience with the Koni's from FCP? Or, a recommendation of any other brand that would lessen the horrible ride condition that I get when driving over pot holes, speed bumps, curbs, ravines, etc.

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Had Gabriel's on a 98 S70 T5 but with 01 V70 15" wheels. Gabriel shocks were in the back also. Gave the car a very smooth ride. Have front KONI SRT.T on the 08 C30 T5 2.0 (later became R-Design) which has the factory sports springs vs standard springs on all other C30's. Have Bilstein's for the rear, not the best. Best struts thus far compared to all the other brands on a variety of cars over the years.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/gab-g57040/reviews

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