Volvo RWD 200 Forum

My 87 240 sedan almost sits level, but the rear is about an inch lower than the front. It's about 2 inches lower with the kids in back. This was not really a problem unless you've seen my driveway approach. It's a steep angle and the street has sunk about 2 inches over the past few years and won't get repaved for many years. When I back out, the tailpipe and mudflaps drag across the ground. Getting the driveway reagraded to the street level would be not only expensive but would probably make it worse. I put 205/70/R14 snow tires in back and this sort-of worked. I replaced the rear shocks last summer with KYB gas shocks and wondered about putting 245 wagon springs in back. Would this raise the rear up. IPD sells overload springs that MAY raise the rear up, but if you include shipping that's also an expensive option (I'm really on a tight budget)and it may not even make a difference.
Would 240 wagon springs raise it up? Does anyone have a pair they want to sell cheap, maybe from someone whoo lowered theirs. Are there any other springs that would work maybe a 260 sedan or even a 740?
Ben

I just came across these.

http://www.volvogue.com/Volvogue_Heavy_Load_Blocks.php

That's about $51 at today's rate. I've never seen them anywhere else before but they might be worth checking around for.
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84 244GL and 85 245DL

I have a set of used wagon springs I installed heavy duty ones on my 1990 245 If you want them throw me a bone and pay for shipping...

did not read the other post but on the cheap a 1/2 steel plat under the rear springs will raise it a bit and with the longer bolts should cost very little. I used 1/4 plate that I got for free and the original bolts and mine cost me $0.00 in money just a little time drilling them and cutting. I would also thing you spring are & shocks are shot.

If the rear trailing arm bushings are shot they need to be replaced, if you do it yourself $35 from FCP Groton. After that wagon springs from the junk yard work fine. Dan

Although some consider this approach "ghetto" and "cheap", I have used similar clamp/boosters in the past with great success.

http://gmostore.gmotion.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=s09&Product_Code=18-1201&Category_Code=coil_springs

jorrell
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92 245 250K miles, IPD'd to the hilt, 06 XC70, 00 Eclipse custom Turbo setup...currently taking names and kicking reputations!

For a cheap fix, get wagon springs, and/or make some spacers. Look at the way the springs are attached to the trailing arm, it is VERY easy to make some kind of spacer.

Sure is easy to make spacers. Getting them in was another story!

Good point. I didn't consider that. I suppose spring compressors would be useful there.

Spring compressors are really not necessary for the rear of a RWD Volvo. Jack up the car and support the body with jack stands--put the jack under the differential and lift it a little. Disconnect the upper shock mounts on both sides-then lower the jack under the diff just enough for the springs to fall (on 240's) away from the upper perch (on 140's which are bolted top and bottom let the spring hang at near no-load length and then unbolt the lower clamp-there will be nearly no pressure from the spring. The shims can be added above the upper mounts or below the spring-your choice. -- Dave

Until recently I had the dread saggin wagon look on my 86 245. With any sort of extra load (say four 25 lbs bags of sand in the back) it was just sad looking.

First attempt was last summer replaced the shocks and not a lot of change in ride height, better ride, still a saggin however.

Replacing the TAB brought her back to level height. I do have the more pricey Poly TAB, but they are IMOH worth it. However after all that work and getting back to level, if you added a load to the back you still got the saggin wagon look. Not near as bad, but not what I was looking for.

Replacing the rear springs with new heavy duty set raised the back higher than the front. There was zero height difference between the new heavy duty and stock springs sitting side by side. Now you expect the ride to be a lot more firm (good thing I had softer shocks)and it sure is. But the ride height should have been close unloaded. That was true when Inga was new 23 years and 254K miles ago. She sat level and did not sag under a minor load.

Cheap fix for your 244 find a good set of low mileage regular wagon springs and that should give you the extra lift you are looking for. Then you most likely need to change out the TAB's at some point.

Good Luck,

Paul

If stock springs were good enough for Inga when she was young, wouldn't NOS replacement stock springs be a good option (ignoring the availability and cost issues, of course). They might last as long as the originals--I forget Inga's age.
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jds

Inga is an 86. Just a year older than yours, and I understand the need for an inexpensive solution. The need to save money led me on a two year journey of using PUP wiper motors and that resulted in just about every wiper problem you can think of. I can change a wiper motor out in about 10 minutes, but not sure if that is a marketable skill.

By the way, I have just added an old hitch that hangs a mite low to the ground in the back in the last couple of weeks. Even with overload springs and all poly bushings, get the wrong angle on a steep drive you can groove the pavement baby. Understand the desire to get a little lift.

Regards,

Paul

As VOLVO FROM HECK stated. The usual sag on the 200's is worn out Trailing Arm Bushings.
Do you get any clunking from the rear when you accelerate from a stop or go over speed bumps slowly?
Both the IPD and Wagon Springs give the back end a boost, not much. I put the IPD's in years ago when I had a sag problem. it wasn't the springs, it was the bushings. But I love the springs for throwing the family in the car, they do not ride harsh yet they fight back nicely when the car os loaded.

Shocks do not support the car so new shocks do nothing for ride height

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'75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwrd, two motorcycles, '85 Pickup: The '89 Volvo is the newest vehicle I own. it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me http://home.no.net/ebrox/Tony's%20cars.htm

Stock 245 wagon springs will raise the sedan. Shims ($15 worth of Home Depot galvanized washers-small diameter ones stacked inside large diameter ones and some graded hardware) mounted on the lower spring perch will do the same. Springs do wear but often it's the trailing arm bushings that cause the dropped rear look. -- Dave

Turns out that having the trailing arm and torque rod bushings replaced restored Mrs. Klankenborg's butt from saggy to perky.

The problem with doing major repairs (clutch job, rear end bushings etc) is it only amplifies all the other stuff that needs attention. Sigh... at some point I will have paid cash for a new 240, but then I will have a new 240!

Good to know as I'm having all the rear-end bushings replaced* -- maybe that'll fix Mrs Klankenborg's sagging hindquarters.

* along with a clutch job, AC repair and other stuff, since I'm stuck in Louisville til Tuesday might as well get it all done, driving on those Arkansas farm roads destroyed what was left of the rear bushings.

Ben, I sent you an email if you decide you need a set of used wagon springs.

~Jason
Austin, TX