2002 V70 Hi Again and Suspension Height Questions

dux02v70 · Post by **dux02v70** » 30 May 2015, 21:05

Hi everyone. I have returned to the forum after being away for a while. I had a 1998 V70 T5 5spd but I was told it was no longer welcome in our driveway so off it went. After having a company vehicle for 12 years I switched jobs and had to buy my own car so I bought another Volvo. Unfortunately, this one is no where near as cool being a 2002 V70 base model but it does the job.

I have a question regarding ride height. Does anyone know what the stock ride height should be? I tried a search but didn't get a clear answer. My car has 160k miles on it and actually rides pretty nice but it sits much lower in the front than the rear. I just replaced the stock 15" wheels with a set of 17" wheels and the rake looks even more pronounced. The measurement from the ground to the lip of the fender is 26" front and 28" rear. It doesn't look right to me.

Post by **abscate** » 31 May 2015, 02:34

I think your 2002 and my 2005 are the same chassis. I'll measure mine after the birds wake up.

See you on the Cape!!

Post by **oragex** » 31 May 2015, 06:10

What is the tire size in the pictures?

I would say the prev owner has replaced the rear shock absorbers (or the coil springs but this is less usual). A new shock absorber or strut will raise the ride height on this vehicle. Maybe look at the rear suspension and compare with the front one, see if they look as old

dux02v70 · Post by **dux02v70** » 31 May 2015, 07:31

Tires are 235/45-17's, stock diameter for 17's. I will check the rear shocks to see if they are newer. That would make sense, although fixing that requires replacing the shocks, correct? Either that or I could carry 300 lbs. of stuff in the back everywhere I go. I'm not too thrilled with the look. Reminds me of an early 70's Camaro with air shocks in the back like everybody drove when I was in high school a very long time ago.

Post by **vtl** » 31 May 2015, 08:44

Shocks AND springs.

2002 V70 with "new" Meyle struts and old springs:

New Sachs struts and new new Suplex springs:

Rear end on unloaded FWD V70 is higher than the front, because it uses more tough springs. This is AWD spring vs FWD:

I put S60 springs on the back, and the rear dropped down and inch or so. Ride quality improved a bit, but the car can't take as much into trunk as it was able with OE springs.

Post by **oragex** » 31 May 2015, 11:19

The front springs are the same for S60 and V70? Could it be that he has old S60 springs in front? It looks quite low to the ground.

Post by **vtl** » 31 May 2015, 11:28

Yes, springs are the same, and dux02v70's springs are sagged.

dux02v70 · Post by **dux02v70** » 31 May 2015, 12:59

So either new springs for the front or get some lowered springs for the back to make it look slammed. Any aftermarket front springs that are any good? The Lesjofors go for $80 while the Volvo springs go for $141.

Post by **vtl** » 31 May 2015, 13:44

Put new front springs. Lesjofors is good.

dux02v70 · Post by **dux02v70** » 31 May 2015, 14:57

Sounds good. There isn't any clunking and the ride seems pretty well controlled so I probably don't need any other parts.

Can anybody check their height just so I can get a sense of where it will end up?