I know for a fact that my rear suspension seems low on my 1991 740 sedan. Would replacing the rear shock absorbers raise it up some, or do I have to replace the springs as well?
I looked at some parts here and don't know what brand to get: VOLVO 740 SUSPENSION REAR 1985-1992 at Swedish Auto Parts
Have also checked O'Reilly on their parts and am still not sure what to get that is close to the original specs.
The next challenge is that I don't have a lot of money to spend, so something affordable and works well is important.
Any help is appreciated.

 

The shocks are not going to raise the car. You need new springs. If you have a self serve junkyard near you, you can get them cheap.

 

rear sag is often from worn bushings, too.

I believe this is the stock rear spring for a sedan
Volvo Coil Spring Rear Sedans (740 760 940) - Pro Parts Sweden 30.6611 | FCP Euro

this is a set of 'sport' springs for a sedan, these are lower than the originals, but also stiffer, and would best be matched with a high performance shock like a Bilstein HD.
Ipd Sport Springs - 740/940 Sedan Models
(note doing this will give you a stiffer ride, which will be rougher on bad roads)

 

Would you happen to have a rear suspension diagram where it shows where the bushings are located? It'll save me a trip under the car.

Don't think I'll want sport springs, rear is low enough already.

And thanks for the springs link.

 

asamatterofafact......
here.

the spring and shock:




and the rest, including the torque arms and subchassis, panhard rod, and the main trailing arms.

 

That's great, thanks a lot.

 

Now, quick question. Were you talking about all of the bushings on the rear end or on just one or two in particular?

 

well, at a minimum, you want to replace any bushing thats excessively worn and sloppy. which ones are that on your car? I have no idea.

I replaced the trailing arm bushings #2 (2nd drawing) and panhard bushings #13 and 14 (also 2nd drawing) on my 745, along with new shocks, and installed IPD antisway bars. I think the IPD antisway bars may have been overkill as my ride is now harsher than it was before, but boy it handles well on hard turns

 

I just replaced my rear springs on my '83 240 sedan and it was dead easy. It looks like the 740 is similar. My PERSONAL observation is that if your car shakes side to side going over speed bumps and dips at low speed, then likely the trailing arm bushings are compromised. Otherwise, the springs would do the trick. I used wagon springs on my 240 because I tow with it and it is a little harsher, but an o.k ride. I also like the stance of the car a lot more, but that is me.
The only issue I had was taking the bolt completely out of the lower shock mount. If you leave it barely in through the swaybar and trailing arm holes on the inside, it is much easier to remount. When you remove it completely, the holes de-align and it is a PITa to get the bolt back in.

 

the 240 and 7/9 rear suspension is a fair amount different.

in particular, the trailing arm main pivot bushings are completely different on the 240. those were very worn out on our 240 about about 300K miles, causing a LOT of sag. its got 400K miles on it now, and has zero sag now.

side to side sway (not leaning) is almost always the panhard bushings. leaning is a anti-swaybar issue.

 

OK, I just replaced my shocks and struts on my car. Ride is a lot smoother when you actually have shocks on the front.
The back end still looks a little low. I have heard of people using wagon springs on the rear end. Would that be something to look into?
I have also looked at the rear suspension bushings and have ordered the ones that I need.

 

lets see. stock rear springs listed for a 91-ish 740 sedan are "1273977 - marked: A, 7 - O.Dia 11.3mm" and "1359710 - marked: C - O.Dia 11.9mm"

same in the parts catalog for a 91-ish wagon.

this spring, Volvo Coil Spring Rear Sedans (740 760 940) claims to be the equivalent of "C" of those.

this one, which claims to be the wagon spring, Volvo Coil Spring Rear Wagons (740 760 940 960) is the *lighter* "A" spring?!?

hmmmm.

 

You just fried my brain.

 

the ghist of that is either FCP Euro is wrong, or VADIS is wrong, or the sedan got the heavier springs. do note, the thickness of the spring metal is independent of its length, its possible those "C" springs were a little longer.

HEY! I have two old springs out of my 1992 740 Turbo wagon. Let me measure them, right now.


hmmm. they are nearly 13mm thick, maybe 13.2mm

and... the Wagon Overload springs in my wagon that I got from FCP are 13.2mm thick. Thicker than any stock, and SAME AS MY OLD ONES?? (old ones are who knows how old, may have been replaced already).

both old springs were 393 mm tall when standing on a flat surface. I can't measure the ones in my wagon, of course.

the old springs had stampings: RI <> G1 710
no idea if thats all the stamping (the rest of them are deep covered in old undercoat and road mung, such that a stiff wire brush didn't take it off).