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Ipd shopping for suspensions components S70 1998

posted by  414dude on  Mon Oct 26 05:38 CST 2009
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last visit: Wed May 7 19:44 CST 2014
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Hello again. Well, I'm thinking of putting a grocery list together for some suspension components. The spring seats are definitely worn (I can turn the struts by hand) which is causing a clicking sound on bumpy surfaces (thanks for the earlier posts folks!). My thinking is to buy a set of HD spring seats, iPD end links, Sachs Boge or Bilstein struts & shocks (can't make my mind up on which one), possibly some H&R sport springs, and possibly some iPD anti sway bars. Obviously, this will cost some coin...which again I'm not too thrilled about throwing money at a vehicle I just purchased...but I'm the type that if I'm gonna' fix it, I'll fix it right the first time. I like the stance of the car as it sits, but just wondering how much life is left in the OEM springs? In addtition, contol arms & a-arm bushings....on a car with 99K....should these be replaced now? Any advise/suggestions is greatly appreciated!

On another note, the look on the in-laws faces was priceless (same folks that laughed at my 740 brick) when they saw their daughter and I pull up this weekend. Again, the only car among the parking lot of big trucks, SUV's, and cowboy hats.....LOL !!!!!








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    Ipd shopping for suspensions components S70 1998

    posted by  414dude on  Thu Nov 5 08:27 CST 2009
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    last visit: Wed May 7 19:44 CST 2014
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    Just got the car back from my indy shop. WOW......what a huge difference in the suspension replacing these items. The car handles very well and rides totally different. I've also noticed a difference in handling with the iPD sway bar end links. My next purchase are the iPD sway bars.








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    Ipd shopping for suspensions components S70 1998

    posted by  KlausC on  Tue Oct 27 04:49 CST 2009
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    last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
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    If you are doing all of this yourself, so that labor is not an issue, get IPD sway bar end links, spring seats for an XC90(very robust and still fit), front struts if needed, and a tower brace for the engine compartment.

    If you want to replace your still good springs, I would go IPD progressive. They are nice in normal driving, think happy wife, and firm when you decide to go auto crossing.

    After replacing the struts, an alignment is needed. The alignment shop can tell you if the control arms are a mess. It is not age, rather pot holes that do them in.

    Klaus
    --
    Proud owner of a 220S. If I had more room, I would have more Volvos.








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      Ipd shopping for suspensions components S70 1998

      posted by  414dude on  Tue Oct 27 17:23 CST 2009
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      last visit: Wed May 7 19:44 CST 2014
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      Hi Klaus,
      I went ahead and gave iPD all my business. I purchased their heavy duty spring seats, and heavy duty end links, and Sachs Boge struts and shocks. What do you think of their HD spring seats....any issues? I asked Ken @ iPD and he said they were the best and would last a very long time. I didn't do the springs though, but will in the very near future. I'll also purchase a set of iPD sways. Will the car drastically sit lower and sit more level than what's on it now?
      I don't think I'm going to do the labor myself....since I don't have the spring compressor or the expertise. I can replace shocks on my trucks though and do some limited repairs on them. I'd sure like to do this myself and save the $200.00 in labor. Alignment is going to be another $50.00
      Is this really easy to do?







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        Ipd shopping for suspensions components S70 1998

        posted by  KlausC on  Wed Oct 28 04:44 CST 2009
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        last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
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        That is cheap labor! An alignment up here costs $100.

        I bought a Sears spring compressor and had a good torque wrench already. It took me 2 hours to do the right front, and just 1 hour to do the left front struts. I compressed the spring too much and that took more time to get it back in. I didn't think it was that hard to do with a jack stand and floor jack.

        Your car is not level? Don't blame the springs until the struts/shocks are done. The IPD progressive springs will lower the car about 1 inch, which only bothers people that have extra wide tires. Before you get new springs, drive it around on the new shocks for a while, you will be surprised at how much better it all feels.

        Klaus
        --
        Proud owner of a 220S. If I had more room, I would have more Volvos.








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          Ipd shopping for suspensions components S70 1998

          posted by  414dude on  Thu Oct 29 16:54 CST 2009
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          last visit: Wed May 7 19:44 CST 2014
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          Hi Klaus....thanks for the info. Maybe the lines of the car is throwing me off, but it looks like the nose is sitting lower. I prefer vehicles to sit level. I guess I'm just used to my 740GL with TME performance springs (the car really has a nice stance). I've noticed the T5's back end feels very soft like a Cadillac or Oldsmobile. Again, maybe used to the 740's firm ride with iPD this and that on the undercarriage.
          Can't wait to see how the car performs with new stuff on it !








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          Ipd shopping for suspensions components S70 1998

          posted by  414dude on  Wed Oct 28 17:14 CST 2009
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          last visit: Wed May 7 19:44 CST 2014
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          Ritchie Automotive....for member's in the Boerne area. These guys maintain several Volvo's. Very honest and awesome service. Will allow you to furnish your own parts or they'll get the parts for you. I've always provided my own parts from iPD and they are always happy to install them...at no additional cost. Really !








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    Ipd shopping for suspensions components S70 1998

    posted by  someone claiming to be andy on  Mon Oct 26 16:13 CST 2009 [RELATED]

    Your stock springs are fine. I use bilstein's on the front and back and I love the result. Its firm, but you can't feel every bump. Im running 205/50/16's.
    The sway bars are a must have! HUGE improvement.
    Go ahead and replace the links if you want. With the new sways you might as well. Please change the spring seats and strut mounts.
    The Control arms and bushing are one piece. IIRC ~$125 each at the dealer. Get OEM!! Mine lasted to 150k.

    Make sure you get an alignment after you do all this, or you will eat through your tires.







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