Re: Fitting rear shocks on a FWD V70

Post by **scot850** » 28 Feb 2017, 14:04

As I have not fitted shocks to a FWD rear yet, I am currently in the process of doing so on the 2000 V70 SE NA.

I have removed the old shocks and springs and I'm about to install the new OE rear shocks. First, I am guessing the old ones were really beat as when I compressed the LHR one it barely had any return pressure. May explain the strange rear end handling!

Any way to the 2 questions:

1) First thing I noticed was when side-by-side the new shock is 1.5-2" longer than the old one. Is this normal if the old one is a dud? I have verified with the dealer the part number is correct for old and new (there is a number up change).

2) On the lower mount there was a fair amount of surface corrosion on the shank of the mount. Question is, I have cleaned it but is it a no-no to use a little anti-seize on the shaft of the mount when re-assembling?

Volvo does it again! Naturally I have the special tools for the front and rear suspension shock removal, but the FWD rear is smaller nut and top holding flat to the AWD. Tool is useless in this application. Wonderful!

Neil.

Post by **theWIFES_S70** » 28 Feb 2017, 16:04

Hey Neil,
Don't know if this will help. But I saw on FCP that they had two different shocks for the V70. On the Volvo branded side of things one had a yellow stripe and one had a green stripe, each with its own part number. (And no, one of these wasn't a Nivomat!)I found it odd and had no idea why that was the case, but maybe one is taller than the other? I'm a "Gabriel" man and those don't come with any discrepancies like that.

I used anti seize on my shock mount bolts when I installed them. I used two nuts because the welded on nuts had failed and broke off.

I removed the shock from the mount by putting a pair of channellocks over the plastic sleeve, squeezing hard, and just spinning the top bolt off.

Post by **scot850** » 28 Feb 2017, 16:20

Thanks for the input Marco. Volvo has various options on shocks with different valving/stiffness. Having a wagon, the rears on this vehicle from the chassis plate give GREEN springs and ORANGE shocks (Heavy duty). The old shocks have the standard SACHS label with the orange strip on them. The new ones have the new part number on a black label but no stripe. All is probably good. I'll try to see if the old shock will stretch to the same length. t might be the old one is just toast!

I also used the VICE-GRIPS (TM) on the squared shaft and a ring wrench with a goose neck to loosen the nut. Came off easy enough. Not sure what you are talking about in regards to the nuts. The only nut I have on the shocks is the lower mount. The only other on is the one on the lower spring retainer plate.

I think I will use a little copper grease/anti-seize on the lower mount stub for the shock more to prevent any further rusting.

Thanks,

Neil.

Post by **theWIFES_S70** » 28 Feb 2017, 20:24

Wow, I didn't really know there were really that many options for OE Volvo shocks... I know you're supposed to check your vehicle identification plate. But since they're all probably interchangeable to a certain extent, vendors should rate them from stiffest to softest or something... I'm curious about that one that is longer for some reason... (Yes, even though I'm a Gabriel man!

)

Volvo Shock Absorber (S70 V70) - Genuine Volvo 9173317 $77.19

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Volvo Shock Absorber (S70) - Genuine Volvo 9173318 $72.59

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Volvo Shock Absorber (850 C70 S70 V70) - Genuine Volvo 9173851 $68.99

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Volvo Shock Absorber - Genuine Volvo 8600274 $61.97

http://www.tascaparts.com/oe-volvo/8600274

Post by **scot850** » 28 Feb 2017, 20:35

Had some more time to look at the old shock again. Looks like it has clearly failed to such an extent that it was not able to fully return to the maximum length without help. When helped it extended to the same length as the new one. Yes many options. Worth knowing the differences so if you want comfort or stiff then you an make sure you get the right one. I'm not a Gabriel fan. When in Europe I considered them as an average product. Not bad but not the best. Having said that, it is a case of what you know and what works for you.

Neil.

Post by **theWIFES_S70** » 28 Feb 2017, 21:07

I'm by no means a Gabriel "fan"! But at $19.99 at Rockauto right now. I think it's better than a leaky, rusted-out shock. There's almost no reason not to swap a pair in if you're finding yourself with bad shocks... (Especially for the grad students on here!

) But in all seriousness, we're on 16 mos right now, they're fine and a million times better than the OE rusted out, leaking shocks.

Post by **scot850** » 28 Feb 2017, 23:02

I've had a lot of bad new shocks over the years, and balancing my time over spending a little more on good parts and doing the job once, I'll do that provided finances are there. Otherwise I will look at next best options like OEM. Either way, bad shocks are dangerous so anything that improves on that has to be a step up. $20 you say......Hm!

Keep us posted on how they hold up.

Neil.