Hey guys,

Recently I had all 4 shocks replaced on my 1995 850 wagon. The only shocks the shop had were bilsteins, which went in.

I also had new strut mounts installed, as one had split.

Since I have the car back it handles so much better, but seems to be sitting abnormally high. About an inch higher than it previously sat, and about 3/4 of an inch higher than what I think an 850 should sit.

Even my Volvo mechanic commented that it is sitting higher than it should, but he can't find the reason why. He has only had a visual look at the suspension, but can't see anything installed incorrectly.

Can anyone think of an reason as to why this might be?

 

They may of put in new rubber spring mounts or isolators. They go between the spring and strut perches. In the rear you can see they the lower ones sit on the lower control arm. They may be a thicker rubber than the originals and they would raise the car height. Lots of shops put in new ones if there was a crack in one of the old ones or they are supplied with the new shocks/struts.

Go back to the shop and ask, if they did put in new ones, see if they haven't thrown them out the trash and ask for the old ones. They are still yours.

 

Might be the wrong shocks and struts.

 

Could be ES6T you might be right, Would the V70 AWD struts fit the 850 FWD? If so, it could be a possibility

 

Do you know what the part number of the spring seats, struts and shocks are ?? Can you post them ?

New spring seats are the likely cause of it riding higher but the big thing would be to measure the ride height, ground to frame to see if it's normal or excessive. Might just be it was sagging before on the well worn spring seats.

I have come across posts saying that the Bilstein HDs will hold a car up a little higher. I would guess unless you asked for them the shop would put the touring ones in which are a little smoother than the stiffer HDs.

The car should sit on the springs and the struts and shocks "shouldn't" do anything to modify ride height but .......

 

Thanks for your replies guys.

I don't know the part numbers of the spring seats, but the front shocks have the part number 22-045799 (VNE-4579).

The height from the middle of the wheel to the wheel arch rim is 370mm or roughly 14.5 inches.

The rear shocks have the part number 9-029450 (BNE-2945).

The height from the middle of the wheel to the wheel arch rim is 350mm or roughly 13.75 inches.

All shocks are Bilstein.

Hope this helps.

 

So I've just googled the part numbers and they are both touring class shocks. It must be the spring seats that are causing it.

Does anyone know what the ride height "should" be on this model? Am thinking I may have to lower it now to make it look a bit better.

 

Ok sorry for the multiple posts. I just went out and measured from the ground to the wheel arches, every corner measures measures 25.6 inches, give or take about 1/8 inch.

This seems to be normal from what I have googled.

I'll shut up now LOL and just lower the thing.

 

Been there, done that and sometimes I've had to shut up and just go away too