Symptoms of Bad shocks

[mecheng]

I drove my wife's 850 today and noticed the ride is very harsh when driving over road defects, its getting harsher with time. All the ball joints appear fine.

Do the shocks on these cars stiffen with time? I'm used to shocks leaking or the car bouncing over the bumps, neither are the case.
The shocks are original.

[abscate]

They usually get softer, that is, less damping with time, but that has less impact on ride. Harsh ride is usually springs that are gone. I did have a car that once locked up a shock which was very interesting.

On another topic, the symptoms differ depending on where the shocks are applied.

[scot850]

Older shocks with oil filled damping in my experience do go 'hard'. Springs go soft (that is why they sag and the car gets lower). If the shocks are originals from when the car was built then they are WAY past replacement. You will think it is a different car with new shocks.

Neil.

[mecheng]

Hahah two contradicting responses, not surprised because in my days with Hondas and GM, when the shocks were bad, the car would bounce all over. This car its the complete opposite, I'm afraid I'm going to chip a tooth driving this car, its like a tank.
I'm confused, I would guess the shocks to loose damping due to seals going, maybe the valving inside gets messed up it doesn't pass oil properly? Thanks all

[abscate]

I would take Niels experience over mine as our roads are quite good here, I’ve run many original shocks to car-end-of-life

[scot850]

I have found gas shocks/struts are the worst for going bouncy once they leak. Oil shocks can leak oil everywhere if a seal goes, but the valves can clog with age and then they are like solid bars.

Abscate's experience is not to be ignored either as it is an often subjective subject, tempered with personal experiences.

If the car is a daily runner try the Sachs struts at the front. They are similar to OE (they were OEM). I use Bilstein Tourings which are more expensive, but are a harder than OE but not too hard. The brand debate goes on and on, but it is best to go with what you like and price. Try usual suspects like FCP and Rock Auto and see what they have. Unless recently replaced, use SACHS XC90 spring seats.

There is another option, if your wife is ok with the car, then you just don't drive it!

Good Luck!

Neil.

[mecheng]

I have found gas shocks/struts are the worst for going bouncy once they leak. Oil shocks can leak oil everywhere if a seal goes, but the valves can clog with age and then they are like solid bars.

Abscate's experience is not to be ignored either as it is an often subjective subject, tempered with personal experiences.

If the car is a daily runner try the Sachs struts at the front. They are similar to OE (they were OEM). I use Bilstein Tourings which are more expensive, but are a harder than OE but not too hard. The brand debate goes on and on, but it is best to go with what you like and price. Try usual suspects like FCP and Rock Auto and see what they have. Unless recently replaced, use SACHS XC90 spring seats.

There is another option, if your wife is ok with the car, then you just don't drive it!

Good Luck!

Neil.

I think you nailed it. I must have had gas shocks
In the past. Yes I am going with Sachs, and the ina strut bearing. Is the spring seat lemforder or Volvo makes it? I remember reading they upgraded the design and discontinued the old part number.

I still like driving it, it’s much better around town than my T5 was. Great throttle response and weighted steering

[WhatAmIDoing]

When I blew out a rear shock, ride was harsh. Felt every bump. Did not feel bouncy. Mechanic inspected, said front struts were fine, coil springs were fine, rear shocks were toast. Outside the car, when you did the bounce test, it would bounce up and down like crazy, but while driving it felt like you were on a tractor. I think if the shocks are blown, when weighted they are fully collapsed and offer no cushion what so ever. New shocks in and she felt like a luxury automobile again. Also in my experience on different vehicles, bad struts usually get really bouncy.

[oragex]

I drove my wife's 850 today and noticed the ride is very harsh when driving over road defects, its getting harsher with time. All the ball joints appear fine.

Do the shocks on these cars stiffen with time? I'm used to shocks leaking or the car bouncing over the bumps, neither are the case.
The shocks are original.

That's exactly how my genuine ones were at 120k miles and were not leaking at all. Plus, in cold weather (winter) they would get so harsh I could not stand it. But on the other side, the car was very stable on the road, great handling, and the shocks weren't bouncing at all.

The total opposite of worn shocks on other cars (say, a Honda)


Side note, I'm yet to see an original Volvo shock leaking when I visit the junkyards. But I've seen tons of Sachs blue sticker (Super Touring) leaking - literally one out of two has leaks and got weak upon testing it (mind you, these replacements are much newer than the original ones). But we do get an army of potholes in spring time.

[WhatAmIDoing]

Side note, I'm yet to see an original Volvo shock leaking when I visit the junkyards. But I've seen tons of Sachs blue sticker (Super Touring) leaking - literally one out of two has leaks and got weak upon testing it (mind you, these replacements are much newer than the original ones). But we do get an army of potholes in spring time.

My shocks were genuine Volvo, driver side was completely blown out. Replaced with new Sachs shocks 2 years ago. The mechanic said based on the level of corrosion he wouldn't go as far as saying original, but he believed they had been on there for well over 100k miles.