What's the advantage of XC90 spring seats on a V70?

[1337]

I'm planning to replace my V70's front struts, strut mounts, and spring seats.

The conventional wisdom here on MVS seems to be that the spring seats designed for the XC90 are a worthwhile upgrade for our 1993-2000 850/70-series cars. XC90 bushings have been recommended in the following posts:

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... hp?t=36731:

Either buy an OEM Volvo XC90 spring seat (it fits) or IPD's HD (their own) spring seat

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... hp?t=26886:

If it's the spring seat, get the OEM XC90 SUV mounts - they will work just fine and are a much better design than the 850 ones.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... hp?t=45755:

It is #6 that is definitely broken on OP's car, and he wants to replace it with part number 30683637 from an XC90.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... hp?t=28455:

- The Strut Seat is broken on passenger’s side. I replaced with XC90 Spring Seat (more solid, see below).

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... .php?t=673:

I have been replacing my bad spring seats with OEM XC90 seats, they only cost a couple of dollars more and they are much beefier.

So, a lot of people love the XC90 spring seats. In pictures, the 850 and XC90 spring seats look pretty much the same to me.
What's the advantage of XC90 spring seats?

[erikv11]

From https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... 7&start=10 and lots of other posts :

The XC90 spring seat and the 850 spring seat are exactly the same if you get them from Volvo (or if you get the OEM from FCP). Same part number, same part, same price.

Up until about four years ago they were different, with the XC90 ones being more heavy duty. Because the 850 ones had problems breaking, Volvo stopped making or selling them, and got rid of the old part number. Now the 850 and the XC90 have the same part number. The forum has not really caught up with the change and many people still recommend the XC90 ones. No harm done of course, but it is not necessary and does cause some confusion. ...

850, V70, C70, XC90 : If you buy the Volvo branded spring seat it is same part number, same price, same part. You want 30683637, e.g. http://volvopartslisle.com/part/OEM-Vol ... pring-Seat

[polskamafia mjl]

What's the advantage of XC90 spring seats?

The XC90 is a much heavier vehicle so it had beefier spring seats as a result of the extra weight. As mentioned now they are both the same.

[1337]

Thanks! This 100% answers my question.

[1337]

So, I ordered "OEM XC90 spring seats" from FCP Euro:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... 30683637oe

The parts arrived in the mail today. The spring seats came in individual boxes marked with the logo, "Rein Automotive." Is this indeed the OEM supplier? Or, has FCP sent me some weird stuff?

[cn90]

The word "OEM" is used loosely and is deceptive.
Stay away from Rein.
Stick to Volvo OEM.

If you cut a cross section through this part, it is simply a piece of steel coated in rubber. The steel gauge is thicker in the XC90.
As others said, these parts are now the same as XC90.

[JRL]

Send them back

[sleddriver]

So, I ordered "OEM XC90 spring seats" from FCP Euro:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... 30683637oe

The parts arrived in the mail today. The spring seats came in individual boxes marked with the logo, "Rein Automotive." Is this indeed the OEM supplier? Or, has FCP sent me some weird stuff?

I looked at your link. Rather deceptive! Even one guy in the reviews, comments on it being a Rein part.

I learned a very expensive lesson by trusting FCP years ago...been very wary of them ever since.

[Azik09]

I've installed springs from diesel S70 in front struts of my car to raise it (many roads in my land are rough so it was necessary). The car raised for 2 inches under front bumper, and i didn't feel any difference in comfort.

[1337]

I bought Sachs spring seats. I'm sending the Rein spring seats back to FCP.

Thanks to everyone for the advice!