Just bought a 2000 S40. Got a pretty good deal because both front springs are broken. Where can I find a good, reasonable set of stock springs? Are they going to be a huge pain for my mechanic (non Volvo, but good) to change?
Thanks, Tom

 

I should add that the manufacture date is 2/2000. Does that make a difference? I would put in a lowering kit, but I don't want to (can't afford) to change the struts too.
Thanks, Tom

 

The 2000 model is unique in many areas and the front suspension is one. Here is a link to front springs for $131.19. There are more sites selling parts so shop around.

VOLVO S40 SUSPENSION FRONT 2000-2012 at Swedish Auto Parts

The springs are very, very easy to change with the proper spring compressor tool and an impact gun. I can do a side in less than an hour going slow.

 

I'm not having a lot of luck finding anything cheaper, in fact anything at all. They must have made a change early in 2000. Mine was manufactured in 2/2000. Anyone know of anything else compatible?
Thanks, Tom

 

Try Rock Auto. They have some pretty low prices. Kind of hard to figure out which one you need though. Most show fronts springs 2000-2003. ??

RockAuto Parts Catalog

 

I ordered these. WD Express 380 53019 316 Suspension Coil Spring | eBay
The numbers seemed to match the ones on Sweedish Auto Parts. Hope they're right. What do you think?
Tom

 

Looks good to me. How on earth did both front springs break? Did the PO give any details?

 

No, he didn't. I can't see any other damage and the car drives fine except for the broken springs. Maybe they were faulty from the factory. I paid $1900.00 for the car which I didn't think was too bad, but it's ending up costing me more, lol.

Tom

 

I was talking to my mechanic and he thought I should try to order a kit where the springs and struts come together as one unit. I looked but couldn't find anything like that. He said sometimes struts are damaged when you remove them. I can't see any reason that these struts would be damaged by taking them off. Maybe he was thinking of American cars. It doesn't look like that tough of a job. I'd try it myself but I don't have a spring compressor and I would have to do it out in the dirt driveway. Hey, it's still cold up here in Wisconsin.
Tom

 

The struts remove super easy and won't be damaged unless your mechanic is a moron.

The 2000 S40 and V40 had different upper strut mounts to the later year cars. The 2000 model year upper strut mounts have a small bearing that's prone to failure. If you're going to change the front springs you should install Volvo front strut mount service kits that upgrade the strut mounts to the 2001 and later spec. The Volvo part number for the kit is 30630043. The kit includes the strut bellows (30884200), bump stop (30884198), upper spring seat (30630044), bearing (30616825), dust cap (30616677) and strut mount (30616824). Buy the Volvo kits from tascaparts.com for really good pricing.

Also, these springs are the most difficult I have ever worked on as a shadetree mechanic. The configuration of the spring does not allow you to compress them sufficiently using the hook-type spring compressors. These springs really require a professional wall-mount type spring compressor.

Bottom line, you need to have your front struts upgraded by someone who knows what they're doing.

I have two broken rear springs on my 2000 V40 so between us we have one good car.

 

This getting to be a real pain. The springs that I ordered last week have just been cancelled and my money refunded. Geez! A week later???Nobody else seems to have them. I've pretty much decided to just order a set of lowering springs, which seem to be available for my car. Vogtland German Made Springs S40 V40 Volvo 99 to 5 2000 | eBay The problem seems to be that my car was manufactured in 2/2000 and there was a change in 5/2000. There are plenty of the later ones available. What's the difference in the springs? Anyone know?
Thanks, Tom

 

Volvo OEM springs $98.36 each at tascaparts.com.

 

I ordered the lowering kit. It was about the same price , anyway.
Tom

 

Had my mechanic install the new lowering springs. As it turned out, it was quite a job. Three of the springs were broken and there were a few frozen bolts. etc. Glad I didn't try it at home. Anyway, the front sits nicely lowered, while it didn't seem to lower the rear at all. In fact when compared, the old rear spring and the new one were about the same height??? Anyway, it drives very well with no more clunking. He noticed that one of the rear calipers appeared to be sticking, so I suppose that will be next.
Tom