just wondering what do all you guys run for suspension systems?
springs, air, coilovers, cupkits? any help would be grateful.
thank you, drew

 

Stock.

 

My recommendation is to put a description of your problem or request in the title. Posting "recommendations please" is like saying "need help". Doesn't tell anyone anything.

And it's more important to know what Drew wants to do with his car and what $$$ range you're looking in.

Why should I go into an explanation of a four thousand dollar coil over set up if you can't even afford $56 Monroes or all you are going to do is drive below the speed limit back and forth to work or school.
What driving style and what you are looking to get out of the suspension determines what components would be good for your vehicle.

And what car have you got ?? Sedan or wagon ?? Manual or automatic ?? What modifications if any ??

Give us a better topic and we will give you a better answer.

 

wow...

 

I know , , , it's only his second thread.

But to give him a good answer about his car you need that information.
Unless we just start a "What have you got for suspension" poll.

 

LOL, I agree. What's the plan, budget and driving style.

 

I would love to learn more about the various options people run on their cars, why they made the choices they did, what the approximate budget is for different options, etc.

I checked mine out, still has some life yet, but know when it comes time to replace shocks, etc that I don't just want to go 'stock' - plan is to keep this car for a long while, and upgrade stuff as it wears out.

I see FCP and IPD have kits - and imagine those kits make the cars ride pretty awesome when compared to 100k+ mile worn out original components.

But, I don't know what the advantage to the Bilsteins vs the Koni vs the Sachs vs various different models of each brands.

One of my regrets with my previous car has been replacing parts one at a time as they wore out. I did a control arm, did another control arm a year later, another control arm a year later, etc. Alignments each time. Yeah, it saved some money, but I could've found a way to do the entire front end at once, and would've probably enjoyed the way it handled doing it that way - all fresh at once, instead of replacing one worn part at a time.

So, I'll keep a close look here, and make some mental notes as things get discussed

 

Welcome Drew!

I'm going to agree with several other members. Please define the following:

1. What model is your wagon?
2. How many miles are on your wagon?
3. Do you live in a four season state?
4. Do you have a budget?
5. What is the primary purpose for your wagon?

I just upgraded my suspension on my T5-R sedan. I'm happy with the Bilstein B6 HD I purchased however I believe for my purposes, I would have been happier with the Bilstein B4 Touring.

I'm happy to share my experiences once you give us more details

BTW - I reused my OEM T5-R springs

 

Maybe you guys scared off drew666?

See post #3 for my opinion.
https://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-...pension-64077/

 

Most people can only afford to or only need to do a component or pair at a time.

There are some national chains that offer a Lifetime alignment and if you're pretty sure you're going to be replacing a number of components but over a period of time, paying the bigger $$$ for the lifetime alignment might be a savings in the long run.

Then there are those who have a broken down mess (me) and need most everything. In most cases cost will be the determining factor. It isn't so much quality it's cost since replacing so much costs so much.

Then there are people who have money to cover anything from stock replacements to choosing parts based on quality, warranty, ride, performance and even the color or the way the part looks.

It usually starts out with how do you want the car to ride or sometimes specifics like "it's going to be autocross". Once you know what they are looking for then you need to find out what they are willing to pay.

To be the guy to answer that question you need to know a lot about a lot and you need to keep up to date. It's a matter of learning all about each manufacturers product and keeping in mind it's their own horn blowing. Then there are trade publications with information that is a little more unbiased and retail publications with "project" cars that demo the product. Lastly if you're lucky you get to speak with owners/customers about how the setup they have feels to them.

What I've done so I can push it harder through corners:

New strut mounts and spring seats.
Sport springs that lower 1.5"
Bilstein HD struts
One piece control arms (Would prefer to go with aluminum and replaceable ball joint and poly bushings)
CV axles, hub assys and Moog sway bar links

New shock mounts
Sport springs that lower 1.5"
KYB shocks
Hub assy.

I Want to add better sway bars but have a hard time with what IPD wants $$$. Everyone who has them raves about them. Second best is the thickest front stock bar and adding one to the rear as mine doesn't have one. I did research and there are multiple choices so just grabbing a bar doesn't insure you of getting the best one.

I have the KYBs because I had a blown out shock mount when I first bought the vehicle and it was knocking around. It was a step up but had I known I was going to start restoring and building my 850 I likely would have gone with the Bilsteins in back.
I have no complaints with the KYBs and they have performed well for the two years I've been on them. They seem to feel pretty stock and smooth but handle bumps well.
Bilsteins have a very good reputation from their owners.

Random notes on sway bars I came across:
Stock front sway bar is ???

Stock rear sway bar is 16mm

1994 854 ---- optional sports package 21 mm front
1994 855 ---- optional sports package 21 mm front
1995 854 ---- optional sports package 21 mm front
1995 854 t5-r 21 mm front
1995 855 ---- optional sports package 21 mm front
1996 854 ---- optional sports package 21
1998 s70 ---- option on all models: 21 mm front
1995 855 ---- optional sports package 21 mm front, 20.8 mm rear
1995 855 t5-r 21 mm front, 20.8 mm rear
1996 855 r 21 mm front, 20.8 mm rear



9173983 O.Dia 21 mm (marked yellow)
9173471 O.Dia 21.5 mm (marked yellow/blue) 217.00 NEW


rear sway bar part #s, don't have diameter:
9191459 (marked "M" green) WO Nivomat 19.5
9191461 (marked "P" yellow) Nivomat 20.8
9191462 (marked "N" blue)
9191494 (marked "V" black)


9140203 marked "V" 147.00 NEW

front sway bar part #s:
9173982 O.Dia 20 mm (marked red)
9173983 O.Dia 21 mm (marked yellow)
9173471 O.Dia 21.5 mm (marked yellow/blue)

rear sway bar part #s, probable O.Diameter:
9191459 (marked green) 19.5 mm
9191461 (marked yellow) 20 mm
9191462 (marked blue) 20.8 mm
9191494 (marked black) 21 mm

If you find an error or have an addition please PM me so I can edit.

 

haha no im not scared, im just busy. trust me, ive been a member on vwvortex for a long time now, those guys are real ******. well most of them

 

and to answer some question. i have a 96 850 glt 200k miles needs rear struts and probably breaks all around. i bought it for 500 bucks for a nice daily, i bought it off my friends mother. i want something nice and smooth and to drop the car a little lower. also where do you guys buy parts from?

 

"Nice and smooth" just go with a stock shock, Monroe, Gabriel, Sachs

To lower you will need shorter springs Ipd Sport Springs P80 FWD / 1993-1997 850 / 1998-2000 S70 & V70 /

I buy from Autozone, Oreilly, Napa, ... local
On line, IPD , FCP , Amazon , Volvo Parts - Authentic OEM Volvo Parts direct from Volvo Parts Webstore | VolvoPartsWebstore.com

 

see my sig.