XC70 riding too low with new Sachs front struts and springs

dayvidlemmon · Post by **dayvidlemmon** » 18 Dec 2019, 09:15

My local NYC indie mechanic recently replaced the front struts, springs, ball joint and lower control arm on my 2005 XC70, and the front end is riding about 1-2 inches too low. I took it back to him and he replaced the struts and springs again, however this did not change the ride height. The car definitely has a lean to the front (original shocks and springs on the back), and to me it looks closer to the ride height of a V70 or S80 with the new struts and springs.

My mechanic has been on the phone with Sachs and they claim they sent the correct part both times, even going as far as to tell him to put it next to another XC70 and compare the height, which my mechanic says he did and is far too low with the new stuff up front.

Anyone have experience with this? I assume he is using these quick struts: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... sac-003079 which curiously list cross compatibility with the V70 and S80.

I do a bit of minor wrenching on my own, unfortunately I live in an apartment in Brooklyn, hence I don't have access to a garage or tools to tackle this task on my own.

Post by **vtl** » 18 Dec 2019, 11:20

Look at the white label on the strut, should say "554 041" or you've got the wrong ones.

Post by **- Pete -** » 18 Dec 2019, 14:04

I'd be willing to bet they put in V70 struts. I bought an 06 XC70 a couple years ago. It had been "serviced" just prior to me purchasing it & the "tech" had replaced the drivers front strut. They charged the PO $300 for the "new strut" & another $200 to install it. I bought the car, & when my wife was driving it home I noticed it leaned to the left. Looked it over a bit & sure enough, the "tech" had put in a V70 junkyard strut that looked like it had been at the bottom of the Dead Sea for about a decade

The shock & spring are both different in XC fitment. The shock has a longer stroke. Side by side on a bench this is pretty obvious.

Edit: added photo

Post by **oragex** » 18 Dec 2019, 14:27

That quick strut seems to be made for the S80 (heavier car), V70 AWD and XC70. I had a genuine S80 spring and strut disassembled, they were almost identical in length with the S60 spring and strut, only the S80 spring had thicker coils (and perhaps a taaad longer spring). My wild guess is those quick struts are actually too short for the XC70

In the above photo I think both the strut and the spring are quite longer in the XC70 (compared to the S60/V70/S80)

If you want genuine, see this link to determine which are the correct parts for your exact car - www.youtube.com/watch?v=kos_nLjjgno