98 S70 N/A 5-speed, Rear Spring Question: Correcting Rear-end Sag

Post by **theWIFES_S70** » 13 Mar 2017, 01:16

I have no idea why I'm posting this right now since there will be so much snow on the ground in NYC that I won't be able to touch our car for a month probably. But it's always good to prepare, no?

If you notice here, our car is taller in the front than in the rear. (The front has new springs from the Gabriel Readymounts.) And the rears are original.

I'd like to correct the rear end sag before I take the car for our Spring/Summer alignment. I just googled this and found these Proparts rear springs, Volvo Coil Spring - Rear (HD) - Proparts 43615822 https://www.eeuroparts.com/Parts/40677/ ... swodcC8J3g. I know, they're Proparts... But if it isn't rubber, how in the world could they mess this up?

In all seriousness though, I see that these are for the V70, is there any reason why these wouldn't work on our S70?

Also, to rebuild the rear end, what else would I need besides this?

- Volvo Coil Spring Seat - Rear Upper - Genuine Volvo 3546435
- Volvo Strut Bump Stop - Rear - Febi 14916
- Volvo Spacer Upper - Genuine Volvo 1387907

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 13 Mar 2017, 07:33

The front actually looks high to me as opposed to the rear sagging. The springs on the Gabriel struts are an unknown in the equation.

Springs are a black art and IPD are pretty much the Wizards when it comes to suspension on these cars. I have just under a million miles worth of P80 Volvos in the driveway and I have never replaced a spring. Unless you have a track car they don't typically wear out appreciably like the shocks.

...Lee

Post by **theWIFES_S70** » 13 Mar 2017, 08:47

Ozark Lee wrote:The front actually looks high to me as opposed to the rear sagging. The springs on the Gabriel struts are an unknown in the equation.

Springs are a black art and IPD are pretty much the Wizards when it comes to suspension on these cars. I have just under a million miles worth of P80 Volvos in the driveway and I have never replaced a spring. Unless you have a track car they don't typically wear out appreciably like the shocks.

...Lee

The front is so high! I should take a photo measuring it. It's at least two inches higher! I guess this isn't a very crucial update that needs to happen. When I went to replace the struts, I couldn't get the springs free from the original struts and the shop I took them too couldn't get them off either... So in the end, I just went with what I could to get the job done. I was imagining that putting "new" springs in the rear would raise the car a little and make it more "even." But I'm not ready to spend $50 a spring. Especially when there are these $20 V70-only ones.

Thanks for the insight, Lee!

Post by **abscate** » 13 Mar 2017, 10:01

My 1999 springs definitely sagged but I tow boats. They arent heavy, like 500#, but when I replaced my springs I got 1-2 inches of ride height back

I posted this in a thread, too... ill search

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=63781&hilit=1999+ride+height

I got two inches of sag back from the rear with new springs - ride is great.

I went with IPD blues. The rear springs are actually really easy to do - as long as you don't get into delta links.

Post by **scot850** » 13 Mar 2017, 10:51

The only reason I have replaced the springs is if they break or are badly rusted and I am going to be working in the area. I had a set of rears on the 'R' powder coated, but noticed shortly after the car seemed to droop at the rear. Replacing them brought the car back to normal height. However, in the case of your car, I agree with the others that the fronts look high and the rears look fine.

Neil.

Post by **theWIFES_S70** » 13 Mar 2017, 21:39

Thanks for the insight fellas. I might get some rear springs to see if I can correct the angle. We do need the write up, no? I have a trip to Montreal coming up and over the course of 800+ miles, it might be nice to see some improvement in gas mileage...

But then again, I might have to focus on the other clunks... Ah, NYC...

Post by **tryingbe** » 13 Mar 2017, 22:03

https://www.ipdusa.com/products/8817/12 ... 70-v70-fwd

Post by **theWIFES_S70** » 13 Mar 2017, 22:30

tryingbe wrote:https://www.ipdusa.com/products/8817/12 ... 70-v70-fwd

Wow... this is our saggy rear-end exactly!

But $129 for the pair???

Post by **tryingbe** » 14 Mar 2017, 06:33

I can sell you a set of Volvo OEM spacers and bolts to raise up the rear. There are washers in place so the springs can't wander off.

Post by **abscate** » 14 Mar 2017, 06:57

theWIFES_S70 wrote:
tryingbe wrote:https://www.ipdusa.com/products/8817/12 ... 70-v70-fwd
Wow... this is our saggy rear-end exactly!

But $129 for the pair???

Measure from ground to lip of fender and compare to my numbers. That does look droopy.

Don't forget to stop in on your way to MTL.