06 XC70 Shock absorber recommendations?

[scot850]

Our '06 XC70 still has the original shocks. Car has only done about 65k miles. We have had the sway bar links, strut mounts and control arm bushes replaced (thankfully under warranty) in the last 5-10k miles.
I still feel the car is 'clunky' going over bumps and the front end seems to deflect easily if you hit a bump. I am thinking of replacing the shocks, but what to use? OE (and I was shocked , no pun intended) are Monroe - seriously! Since when did they start to make a good shock, that Volvo would use these? Is this another Ford left-over?

I have used Bilstein Touring's on 850's and P80 V70's (XC and R) and really like them. A little firmer than stock, but have much better bounce control. The Bilstein HD's that were on my R when bought, were way too hard for road use. IPD guys recommended going back to Touring level. Much better on real roads and rutted snow/ice.

Any others out there used anything different that they want to recommend?

Thanks, Neil.

[JRL]

Not sure if anything aftermarket is made for a stock XC strut/shock.
XC was designed and built before Ford bought Volvo and the same shock has been used for 8 years
Give it a rest with FORD comments

[scot850]

JRL it looks like you are right on the lack of options, especially as I'd forgotten the car is fitted with the 4C suspension option. I thought it only affect the rear like Nivomats, but I guess the '4C' (4 corner?) should have given a big hint!

Only place I can find them for sale is at IPD for close the $450 each, but interestingly, they are made but Sachs/Boge and not Monroe, which is a big relief.

On the Ford comment, we can all have our opinions. Like you, I have been around Volvos for a long time (40 years+) and owned many. I have seen the quality of the product, and personally have seen what was, in my opinion, a reduction in quality of the cars since the Feb 1999 purchase of Volvo by Ford. As the car in particular is the re-modelled 2005-2007 XC70, I'd say it was built and re-modelled during the 1999-2010 Ford time-line. Having worked at a Volvo dealership and spoken to the mechanics there (the foreman has worked on Volvos since 1975) they all state a lessening in parts quality in that timeline. I have seen the new products (and eagerly await the V60 arrival in Feb) and see a significant improvement in reliability and quality.

Having said all that, I won't upset you again with the issue. Life is too short.

Neil.

[JRL]

V60 is HERE
My car is on the showroom of my dealership and I don't have the dam* money right now #*(^$&*#^*&.

2015 V60 White/Black, R Design and already Polestar tuned!

I could walk out of there paying invoice for it but for my current money issue....
(MSRP, approx 47K, I could probably pay 43-44 ish)

Are any of your shocks leaking?
At 65K a 4C shock still should be "OK", certainly not bad enough to warrant buying new ones
Put some sway bars on

[jimmy57]

The P2 line was not touched by Ford. P1 and P3 are Ford influenced Volvos. Ford may have culpability in the P1 problems but many parts used in making P1's that were batch sourced through ford purchasing are not pieces that give any issues. Most of those things are not used on Ford or Mazda platform siblings.
P3's have an excellent track record. The problems on models on that platform are few. P3's are hated by techs as they have no sway bar end links, lower control arm bushings, spring seats, inner or outer tie rod ends failing starting at 60K. The only thing ford did with no doubt is to cut the funding for ad budget and some back office things that most would never know about. I have animosity for Ford as I was a casualty of layoffs. I can blame them for that but not for Volvo quality issues.

If you find 8mm bolt heads where 10mm previously lived or 10 mm where 12 or 13 mm previously lived, that you can blame on Ford. Volvo did get the smaller bolt heads on shank sizes normally having larger heads that Ford starting using in the mid 90's.

[Rocky]

Clunky could be sway bar bushings. 100k on 03xc70 still with original shocks. But time to do links.
I don't drive it often (it's wife's car) but can tell they're needed.

[oragex]

That is interesting, are you the original owner? could it be that the original shocks were replaced? I have read about people being satisfied with aftermarket Monroe however it was on S60's, not the XC.

One thing is sure, a Monroe shock won't last as long, so perhaps yours are simply worn out - it gives a 'harsh' ride over street bumps.

I'm at 100k and all 4 shocks are well worn out. Actually, they still rebound well, but they got stiff. So on a good road it will work just right, on a poor road the ride is harsh.

[precopster]

Monroe are the brand used from factory when the 4C electronically controlled damping system is used. This was first seen in 2004 Rs.

I'm surprised Volvo used this as an option for the XCs. Does your car have the standard/ firm/hard button on the dashboard?

[JRL]

They do, comfort and sport only, no advanced