I have a suspicion that someone may have clipped the front springs to lower the front of the 850. I measured the middle of the front bumper at 17" from the driveway on both sides. Does anyone have the factory height specs handy?

Thanks,

People do that, they like the look. Fortunately for you, both sides are the same height, perfect! Unless you are in the market for replacement springs and shocks, don't mess with a good thing.

Lowering the front, which can be the same as adding 'sport' springs from Volvo, will help with the MPG, top end, and mess with the bumper clearence in parking lots or curbs.

A better measurement would be from the top of the fender opening to the center of the wheel hub. That should be fairly close for all for wheels.

Klaus
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Two great Volvos, a 1967 220 and a 1998 V70R

I forget where I read it (it may have been in VADIS but can't be sure without checking) but the measurement from hub center to fender lip on my 1998 V70 AWD is supposed to be 15" - and I believe it was just a bit over 14.5" last time I measured...
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1998 V70 AWD->FWD Turbo 200k+

Hi Klaus,

It also prevents putting one up on a dolly 200 miles from home! I just don't want to get into an expensive alignment issue now that I'm close to finishing the project. I am impressed by the engineering on this car which is in surprisingly good condition in spite of the gorillas that trashed it.

I'll check on the fender height tomorrow.

Regards,

My 1998 R with sport springs has 8" of clearence from the bottom rear of the spoiler, just in front of the tire, to the ground. 14.5" from hub center to front fender, and 14" from hub center to rear fender. No one sitting in the car, of course.

Klaus
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Two great Volvos, a 1967 220 and a 1998 V70R

Hi Klaus,

I measured my 850 at 8" at the rear of the front spoiler, 13.5" from the hub center to fender bottom on all four wheels. Would this indicate the vehicle has been lowered?

I do have a slightly larger tire on the rear, 205 60R 15s than the front, 195 60R 15 which could bring the front a little closer to the road.

Regards,

I forgot to mention that my 1998 has only 25K miles on new Koni struts and all new rubber parts.

Your car may be lowered, but not so bad that it cannot get on a lift or up ramps. I have to jack my car up to get the oil pan under the car for an oil filter change.

Unless you have drivability problems, leave it alone.

Klaus
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Two great Volvos, a 1967 220 and a 1998 V70R

Thanks Klaus,

That will help me set this one up.

Regards,