854 sway bar to 855 question

Post by **findude** » 01 Sep 2009, 06:44

I read on this website before that Volvo put out some sway bars that were stiffer than IPD's, as a stock option. Maybe it was just the sportwagons that got it, I'm not sure. Does anybody know where I could find one of these?

It was called the "sport chassis" option; it is stiffer than the standard 850 Turbo suspension. It included thicker anti-sway bars (front and rear) as well as stiffer shocks. In the USA (Market Code 31) it was bundled with the trunk spoiler on sedans (can't say for wagons).

We ordered it when we bought our car new through Tourist and Diplomat Sales. Through TDS it was available a la carte so we were able to avoid the aesthetically offensive spoiler. From my invoice, it is Option Code 28 and cost $225.

It is noticeably stiffer than the regular suspension and can get tiresome on long trips if the highway is concrete with separating gaps (though not as bad as our MINI Cooper S with sport suspension), and that's running the car on the original 15" alloy wheels. I like it and have been patiently searching for the right set of Persus 16" wheels.

I couldn't find the specifications in my Volvo folder, but I recall the anti-sway bars being about 2mm thicker. I had to replace one of the struts after an incident with a pothole, and the Volvo dealer had to special order it. I don't think the option is common on US Market cars, but if you're junkyard shopping odds are much better if the car has a factory-mounted spoiler (there will be no center-mount brake light in the rear window). Of course, the spoiler was available alone as well. Frankly, in your case I'd just go with IPD; I've heard good things about their suspension packages.

I'd like to have a factory strut tower brace as well, but I believe they were not introduced until Volvo realized how flexible the C70 convertible was.

One of the many reasons I like the car so much.

Post by **findude** » 01 Sep 2009, 06:53

I just found a reference to four different factory sway bars (aren't they anti-sway bars?) at http://www.swedishautoparts.com/850/Vol ... -rear.html.

Scroll all the way down to the bottom. If someone can tell me where to look for the mark (M,N, P, or V), I may be able to find it on my bar and solve the mystery for the rest of you.

GrumpyOldMan · Post by **GrumpyOldMan** » 02 Sep 2009, 01:53

Halleluyah !
There IS light at the end of the tunnel.

Called two other yards looking for a rear bar today, no luck.
So reluctantly called the original yard.
They still had the bar sitting there.
Didn't admit to mucking me around as such, but stayed open till i got there this arv, and sold it to me cheaper to boot.

So, i now have a rear sway bar

just have to get some bolts for it, and fit it..

Will give it clean and take pics when i can.

Came out of a n/a 850 wagon, no idea of model.

FCPEURO · Post by **FCPEURO** » 02 Sep 2009, 08:18

Nice find, congrats. Update us with pictures once it is in.

code-man850 · Post by **code-man850** » 02 Sep 2009, 09:19

funny thing, I got my rear sway bar yesterday too. Race ya to put it on!

GrumpyOldMan · Post by **GrumpyOldMan** » 03 Sep 2009, 04:06

LOL, bet you'll win.
I need to get bolts first.
And clean the bar, and mounting points, Then I can try and fit it.....

Would be interesting to see what diameter yours is.
Mine measures at 21mm diameter.
Only markings i can see (night time here) is '97' stamped into the end with the kink.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 03 Sep 2009, 04:31

The time difference makes this fascinating!

I'm anxious for the performance reports after the installation.

...Lee

GrumpyOldMan · Post by **GrumpyOldMan** » 03 Sep 2009, 04:45

About 9pm thursday here now...
work tomorow, so IF I'm lucky maybe get some bolts lunch time, and if all goes well (HA not likely) ramps and crawling saturday mid morning ?

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 03 Sep 2009, 08:04

Since it is now Friday in Australia (it is Thursday morning in the US) I think we need to take the date out of the equation. The first one to post their completion wins.

...Lee

FCPEURO · Post by **FCPEURO** » 03 Sep 2009, 08:33

Agreed. I am curious if this will make a big difference.

854 sway bar to 855 question

Re: 854 sway bar to 855 question