My car: 1988 244DL (370k miles)


After replacing my water pump and having fun time with a 30yr old stud, car runs good w/o any coolant leak. I replaced mytaillight and 3rd brake light too so next on my list is suspensionin attempt to make this car “perfect”, it’s a slow process but I will get there.

From researching online I can see a lot ofmixed feelings about what brand to use for suspension and bushings. I likeusing OEM just to be safe but if there are good (cheaper) alternatives I amopen to it. I know I can use Poly (not cheap) ones but I don’t want very stiffride.
I want to change the front suspension first.
Any recent feedback on what brands are good,all I can find is info from 6-7 years ago at least…I was looking at this kit onFCP - https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo-suspension-kit-front-240-oem-240ftkit

Any feedback will be helpful!
Thx

 

Ball joint...Lemforder

Outer tie rod...Moog

Bushings... genuine Volvo

meyle...NO

 

I have not found much difference in brand of suspension parts. They all seem to be made by the same suppliers and private labeled. Not all, but many.

On a recent car, I went with one of the inexpensive parts and that was several years ago. No problems.

 

Thank you guys. I replaced them all past weekend.

I used:

Ball Joints- Lemforder

Tie Rod - Lemforder

Outer tie rod end - Moog

Stabilizer Bar Link - Karlyn

Boots - Febi


I bought Poly bushings for Torque Rod and Panhard bushings which I will replace next weekend. After that I got to change trailing arm bushings (will get someone to do) and than Spring/ Shocks/Struts.

What are good brends for springs/shocks and struts? I dont se OEM springs anywhere. I guess Sack is good for struts...

Thx,
Alex

 

boge/sachs shocks/struts or bilsteins if you want stiffer/sportier... IPDusa has nice sport springs, or eibach.

 

I dont need sportier, as OEM as I can...my car is 240dl...Pretty slow

 

springs that haven't been abused shouldn't lose spring rate, unless they are badly corroded.

I'm not sure anyone sells stock rate springs aftermarket.

 

Yea I dont think springs are too bad but I am kinda going over the whole car so I might change them as well...And you might have a point, maybe I can just change shocks and struts...

My back end sags much more in comparing to the front and I know it can be bad trailing arm bushings so lets see what happens once those get changed.

Thx Pierce!

 

Springs can definitely lose their stiffness over time with 940s being particularly bad offenders. Older Volvo's tended to have soft suspension for comfort, and thus sagged pretty badly over time. Changing your shocks will not do anything for your ride height, but definitely a good idea since your car has so many miles.

For the most part, any brand spring will work, but the important thing is to choose the correct spring (wagon vs sedan vs overload vs lowering). OEM spring rate springs are still relatively easy to find online, but you'll have to do some hunting.

 

indeed, if this is a wagon, and you're regularlly hauling fairly heavy stuff back there, the overload springs are a good idea.

they will make the ride a bit harsher if you're running empty, however.

 

There's also different front spring rates for gasoline or diesel cars.

 

hah, if your Mercedes Benz, a given model will have 3 different spring rates, 5 different spring pad thicknesses depending on the exact combination of options and thats not even counting if its euro vs american regular road setup, or its sportline, or its heavy duty for rough roads in the 3rd world countries, each of those has its OWN set of springs and pads tuned to the exact curb weight of the vehicle as shipped.

one size fits all baseball caps don't fit my head very good, either.

 

Thanks for the feedback, I did some researchand see a lot of options but mostly I see blistering and Sach as bestoptions. I just replaced torque rods and panhard rod with poly bushingsand I can notice the difference but I still here some clunks (nothing likebefore changing all the front suspension and now this). Only thing left aretrailing arm bushings in which I will take care very soon.

I want to replace rear shocks and springs too. Springs Iwant to go with are overload ones just so they last me longer although nobodyever rides in the back other than my medium size tool box in the trunk. What shocks should I get with overload springs?

Or would it be better to stick with regular sach springs and some other shocks.I see so many combinations. I see some sachs for about $50 and I really likethose prices

Thx