R-type struts?

ylwgto · Post by **ylwgto** » 04 Mar 2021, 11:14

Just sold my 198K '04 XC90 and bought a 1 owner, 2009 XC90 3.2 AWD R-type. great vehicle with a complete service history! But the passenger front strut is noisy...sounds like a bad bearing. I want to replace both.

Reading up on the car, the R-type is supposed to have a "sport tuned" suspension. If this has anything to do with the struts/springs I'd like to make sure I'm putting the correct ones back in. When I search for the parts, there is no designation for R-type. Anyone have an idea if they just use the same struts as the standard AWD 3.2? Ideally I'm looking for a quick strut set up so I don't have to deal with any spring compression, as I'll be doing it myself.

Any recommendations on parts welcome.
Thanks!

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 04 Mar 2021, 20:31

There are three different struts for the 2009 XC90. They are encoded in the product id plate.

13 = Model Year
14 = Factory Code (represents the factory where the car was built)
15 = Chassis Number
16 = Market Code (USA, Canada, etc.)
17 = Interior Code
18 = Exterior Paint Code
19 = Special Vehicle Number (Taxi, Police, etc.)
20 = Front Suspension Spring Code
21 = Front Suspension Strut Code
22 = Front Anti-Sway Bar Code
23 = Rear Suspension Spring Code
24 = Rear Suspension Shock Code
25 = Rear Anti-Sway Bar Code
26 = Front Suspension Bump Stop Code
27 = Rear Suspension Bump Stop Code

ylwgto · Post by **ylwgto** » 05 Mar 2021, 11:55

Awesome info, thanks

my product code is:

32 AE Z 54 48 D 5 2

So the strut type is "AE"? What does that correspond to in terms of strut part #?

And i'm assuming "48" means I have the Nivomat rears

Thanks!

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 05 Mar 2021, 17:33

ylwgto wrote: 05 Mar 2021, 11:55 So the strut type is "AE"? What does that correspond to in terms of strut part #?

And i'm assuming "48" means I have the Nivomat rears

Position 21: AE = Part number 30776718.
Position 24: 48 = Part number 30635776 ( Nivomat type 2 ).

There is another type of Nivomat .Volvo part number 30683451. Code 26 in position 24 of the product id plate.

Post by **ggleavitt** » 06 Mar 2021, 11:57

I'll be surprised if you can find a “quick strut” for the 33/AE combination, it’s not very common.

R-Design suspension is a little more firm by intent. I have the same suspension code in a 2008 V8 Sport, the precursor to the R-Design. Springs are more heavy (33 vs 31), front/rear sway bars are slightly larger (24/25mm vs 23/23mm), damping is different on both the AE strut and rear shock (48 for sport as noted above vs 26 for the others). Speed sensitive steering gets a sport control module and that’s pretty much what makes an R-Design from a suspension and steering perspective.

I'm picky about how my Sport rides and I'm sometimes overly frugal (to my own detriment). In the interest of wanting to save a few bucks I tried what was supposed to be a Sachs “OE direct replacement” (314-125) a few years ago. It caused the front end to float slightly when you accelerated quickly at freeway speeds so I went with the Volvo struts (PN 30776718) and have had no issues since. I enjoy this suspension setup very much, especially with the V8 engine.

If you end up going in the direction of OE parts, I might suggest that you do some searching as there are real swings with parts prices and many of the OE internet resellers will price match. Even adding shipping it’s frequently cheaper than your local will be.

edit 030621- add strut PN for clarity.

ylwgto · Post by **ylwgto** » 07 Mar 2021, 21:09

Excellent, thanks!

I've decided to abandon the quick strut plan, as I love the way the car handles. I'll buy struts, bearings and seats and rebuild myself with the macpherson strut compressors my neighbor has.

thanks!!

chitownV · Post by **chitownV** » 08 Mar 2021, 10:11

If you want to increase the handling, then try the Bilstein B4 Touring front struts. The price is on par with the Sachs and everyone that has installed them, including myself, rave on the performance/comfort balance. Avoid cheap strut mounts as well as Lemforder strut mounts. Experience has shown the bearing can start to pop and wear quickly.

Post by **ggleavitt** » 08 Mar 2021, 11:58

The 33 front spring is pretty stout and you'll need to compress it down pretty far to install the new seat fully. Use a good compressor and be careful. Seat will want to flex when it goes back on and the spring gets uncompressed, I tighten the cross nut up and release the compressor then get the strut on the vehicle relatively quickly. I button everything up, lower the jack to put some weight back on the wheel to get it resting on the seat with the spring compressed then re-tighten the cross and top nuts and call it a day.

I'm not aware of anyone who has a full Sport/R-D 48 nivomat OE suspension swapping out to B4s, that might be an interesting observation. ChitownV- would that be just the front struts or would you advocate removing the nivomats and replacing them as well ? And if replacing the nivomats, what spring code would be used for the "replacement" (34,35,36,or 37)?

chitownV · Post by **chitownV** » 08 Mar 2021, 12:11

Good safety information about compressing the spring. I use two sets of spring compressors (threaded rod type). I use my main ones and put on secondary ones as safety while I compress. The threaded rod type of spring compressors can also slip as you tighten, so it helps to have an extra spring compressor on for backup.

Since the fronts can be replaced independently of the rears, I recommend doing the front Bilstein B4 Touring struts first. The rear Nivomats work with the front Bilstein B4s. I think for OE Volvo struts, the fronts should be done first as well because the wear is focused more in the front.

ylwgto · Post by **ylwgto** » 08 Mar 2021, 12:23

Great info.

are these the Bilsteins you would recommend?
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... -22-170729

Would you think this tool is up to the task? It is the compressor that FCP Euro recommends using.

https://www.amazon.com/PARTS-DIYER-Univ ... B07L2SBDJ9