Sachs front struts 2004 Volvo xc70

Post by **famfeld** » 26 Jan 2019, 08:48

After replacing the front struts with new oe Sachs struts from fcp euro and installing them with all new hardware and reinforced ipd strut bushings I am feeling disappointed with the performance. Over speed bumps on the way down the struts will go all the way to the bump stops and although better than the blown struts they replaced, I feel they should be less spongy. I also installed new sway bar end links as the old ones were worn. The other suspension components look good upon inspection. I read on this form that there is a difference between white or blue label and my struts have a white label. Would this be making a difference? Should I get some billsteins?

Any help appreciated.

Feld

Post by **oragex** » 26 Jan 2019, 09:09

Despite some positive feedback, you are not the only to feel Sachs may not offer that a quality ride especially where roads are not really smooth. There are at least two qualities in Sachs, the regular white sticker ones (also offered with Quick Struts) and the Super Touring blue sticker ones a little more expensive. Again, from my experience and also from other feedback, both may not come close to a genuine Volvo strut, despite the common though that they must be the same as the genuine ones being made by the same brand.

Instead of spending and trying, I would certainly go myself with some Bilstein B4 for a quality ride. I've also read the B6 may not be as good or not last that long. I'm at my 4th pair of struts of different brands, btw

Here's just a link comparing these https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/archive/ ... 32798.html

Post by **famfeld** » 26 Jan 2019, 09:43

Thanks for the feedback. I'm going with Billsteins probably.
That's accurate. Highway and rolling hills are good, but on bumpy roads at moderate speeds they are not that good.

Georgeandkira · Post by **Georgeandkira** » 27 Jan 2019, 06:39

The Sachs SuperTouring's I put on my '02 sufficed but didn't feel like an "improvement". That's notable since the fronts were leaky messes at 162K. What's funny is that I replaced the rears first and the improvement in ride was dramatic.

The Bilsteins (is it B6 or H6?) I put on a Saab were so bright to drive I got 'em for my '07. The rears go on this week. I haven't bought the fronts yet as they were replaced with Volvo ones by the P.O. at 57K (not 40K ago).

oragex's mentioning of Bilstein longevity is news to me.

Post by **cn90** » 27 Jan 2019, 11:24

On the same topic, I plan to install Bilstein Touring Struts on the front.

Question: the springs...how long do they last?
Anyone with broken springs (at what miles)?

---
2004 V70 with 110K miles.

Post by **oragex** » 27 Jan 2019, 11:49

S60 V70 springs rarely break (I've read of a few failed ones but it's really rare). Same for the XC90

On the other side, the XC70 has quite a few issues with the OEM springs. Not saying everyone will have a spring break, but it's often. And from online pictures, it doesn't seem to be related to rust. My S60 has pretty rusted springs (before I recoated them), at the junk yard I see many rusted one, and still standing (Canadian winters). My guess is something went wrong either with the manufacturing of the XC70 springs, either with their design - the XC70 springs seems longer than the ones on the V70, could it be some engineer miscalculated the diameter somehow? Who knows.. But they do break both front and rear and when it happens it's not pleasant - although many times it seems to be happening at low speeds.

Post by **abscate** » 29 Jan 2019, 04:14

Probably metal defect more than design flaw. I think Engineers have hooked spring theory pretty well.

Lot of spring breaks in Daytona...

Post by **shiloh51933** » 29 Jan 2019, 07:13

: Broken spring

I've had the factory springs break and an OEM set of front springs break on our 04 XC70. I finally bought Bilstein springs. I had replaced everything up front...Sachs struts, factory strut mounts, cross nut, strut nut, bump stops from FCPEURO. Only thing that failed was springs. Sachs are better than most cheap aftermarket shocks like Monroe or Gabriel. But I agree that the original shocks that came with XC70 felt better over bumps.

The pic of broken was third one to brake since ownership 6 years ago. The spring broke and jumped underneath the spring seat. I had to cut spring off of strut for removal after releasing strut nut.

Post by **cn90** » 30 Jan 2019, 22:43

Question re 2004 V70 2.5T with 110K miles...

FCPEuro sells the Sachs pre-assembly strut for $250/per side:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... 78#fitment

Has anyone used this particular setup for 2004 V70 or similar cars?
Any feed back?
I don't know much about "White" label or "Blue" label...Can anyone educate me on these 2 types?

dlundblad · Post by **dlundblad** » 01 Feb 2019, 10:04

cn90 wrote: ↑30 Jan 2019, 22:43 Question re 2004 V70 2.5T with 110K miles...

FCPEuro sells the Sachs pre-assembly strut for $250/per side:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... 78#fitment

Has anyone used this particular setup for 2004 V70 or similar cars?
Any feed back?
I don't know much about "White" label or "Blue" label...Can anyone educate me on these 2 types?

We’ve been using the Sachs quick struts in her S60 for about 10-15k miles. Zero complaints whatsoever. The car rides like new. Used Sachs shocks in the rear and left the original coils. The front end went up considerably as well so the originals must have been worn.

New bearings and such was very slick too. Literally took minutes per side minus dealing with the darn ABS wire bracket. Ended up drilling holes where the broken tabs were and used zip ties.