'99 S70 -- Advice Sought on Suspension Redo

Post by **E Showell** » 02 Jun 2015, 07:39

So, I know the spring seats are shot on the newish-to-me S70. The passenger side outer tie rod end is also toast (1/2" of play moving the front wheel from side to side with a push/pull test hands at 3 and 9 o'clock). Total mileage is just shy of 110K and I'm sure the suspension is all original. I've replaced front suspensions before. Given the labor involved in changing the spring seat and passenger side outer tie rod end (and the fact that I'll have to pay for an alignment anyway), I'm considering a complete suspension redo -- soup to nuts -- inner and outer tie rod ends, control arms, sway bar links, struts and rear shocks. In fact, I found a nice price on the Koni FSDs and have them on order already.

I plan on keeping the car for at least 100K additional miles. Anybody think a full suspension redo is overkill and that I should just replace the spring seats and passenger side outer tie rod end?

Aside from some wandering, which you'd expect given the state of the outer tie rod end, the suspension seems to be soaking up bumps fairly well and I'm not getting any odd clunks or squeaks. I know many believe the stock suspensions on these cars are only good for c. 100k miles, but I didn't replace the front suspension on the '98 V70 until 180k miles and it did pretty well up to that point.

If it isn't obvious from the context, I'll be doing the labor so it's "free."

Discuss.

Post by **abscate** » 02 Jun 2015, 08:38

I thought my V70 T5 at 160k was ok until I did all four corners last fall. The ride difference was incredible. I had a lost 1-2 inches of ride height from towing boats, so my rear springs were probably gone. If the delta links look ok in the back I would leave them be. You guys have good smooth highways in NJ, so I doubt they are too bad. Rear springs/shocks are really easy.

My vote

Full frontal
Rear shocks/springs.

petermetzger · Post by **petermetzger** » 02 Jun 2015, 08:51

I have a '99 V70 and one of my outer tie rod ends was a little loose so I replaced that and got an alignment and the difference was immediately noticeable. However, my spring seats are shot too so I was going through the exact question you are. I ended up just getting new mounting hardware (I went with this kit), but that decision was largely financial - I'd love to have been able to buy new struts and springs as well, but the money just wasn't there. I've noticed saggy ride height in the rear, too, so I'm planning to eventually replace those shocks/springs too.

DrJammer · Post by **DrJammer** » 02 Jun 2015, 08:55

I think a full rebuild is a tad overkill, but just a tad, mainly for $$ reasons. You'll have everything out, might as well put new stuff in. When I replaced front spring seats, I tried getting by with just new seats. I ended up with new bump stops, etc. I also replaced control arms and sway bar links at that time. kept original coils and struts and the old wagon felt great. I can't see front coils and struts on sedans being that bad at that mileage, but then again I've only ever worked on my car.

I beat my wagon up good with firewood and such, no towing, and I am sure it could use new rear coils at least, but I am getting close to putting my own 100k on this car, so I would not do this on mine. Yours, if the labor is free, then yes.

what a mouthful to agree with abscate - full front, rear coils

petermetzger · Post by **petermetzger** » 02 Jun 2015, 09:23

DrJammer wrote:I think a full rebuild is a tad overkill, but just a tad, mainly for $$ reasons. You'll have everything out, might as well put new stuff in. When I replaced front spring seats, I tried getting by with just new seats. I ended up with new bump stops, etc. I also replaced control arms and sway bar links at that time. kept original coils and struts and the old wagon felt great. I can't see front coils and struts on sedans being that bad at that mileage, but then again I've only ever worked on my car.

I beat my wagon up good with firewood and such, no towing, and I am sure it could use new rear coils at least, but I am getting close to putting my own 100k on this car, so I would not do this on mine. Yours, if the labor is free, then yes.

what a mouthful to agree with abscate - full front, rear coils

Sounds like we've all had the same conversation with ourselves over the years

Post by **E Showell** » 02 Jun 2015, 09:49

Yep, but the voices always second guess me. . .

I'll not change the springs since my now-retired factory trained Volvo mechanic said unless they break, there's no reason to replace them notwithstanding the mileage.

Peterm -- not thrilled about dropping the coin just now, but it won't kill me to do the whole shooting match since I'm doing the labor. The parts are still going to add up, however.

Post by **shaker_chi** » 02 Jun 2015, 14:10

At this point in the game I agree with your volvo tech. Springs generally last a long time unless you are doing some heavy duty hauling. Go with the spring seat for the XC60, it will fit your S70 and it's a bit beefier and should last longer. Check out this link for all your components

http://www.volvopartswebstore.com/showA ... ring=shock

Post by **E Showell** » 04 Jun 2015, 05:58

I've got all the parts ordered for a complete front suspension and rear shock redo. One part I did not order are inner tie rod ends. I will definitely be replacing the outers. If I'm doing everything else should I replace the inners? I've never had one fail on me. Plus, I ran into some confusion on ordering based on what number is on the steering rack. I figured I'd just call my local dealer and order by VIN number and let them figure it out if I do end up replacing the inners.

Post by **cn90** » 04 Jun 2015, 08:39

If you plan to keep the car another 100K, then it makes perfect sense to do a full suspension rebuild, at least you will enjoy it much more.

I did the full suspension at 120K....

1. FRONT:
- Bilstein TC
- XC90 mount (Volvo OEM)
- INA bearing
- Control arms by lemforder
- Tierods (outer)
- Swaybar endlinks...Lemforder

2. REAR:
- Bilstein TC
- New shock mount (Hutchinson)

This will be a good investment (you don't want to ride in a car that feels like a boat!).

I wrote the DIYs in forum...

Post by **cn90** » 04 Jun 2015, 08:41

Note on tierod: get propane torch or acetylene torch, it is iron so likely rusted over the years.
In extreme cases of severe seizing, you may have to replace the Inner and Outer as a combo if you cannot separate where they join together.