Hi, All.
Just got the 2006 S60 2.5T, which needs new front struts. I can install springs/shocks separately, but would prefer to install as a set. I would love to hear an advice on inexpensive (but good) strut sets. Also, what is anybody's opinion on slightly (1.5' -2.0") lowering springs for this car?
Thanks!

 

when you mean strut sets, are you thinking a preassembled strut which can simply be bolted in? IMHO the best strut is going to be the Sachs strut specific to your car as that's OEM and matches stock springs correctly. They are not all that expensive - you can check prices at Volvo friendly stores like IPD, FCP Euro, EEuro Parts and others. I'd expect 80-90 / strut as a price. That said, you would also need to consider freshening bolts, spring seats etc. Next up is to shop the same stores for "quick struts" Those are the preassembled models - just make sure you get a quality part, not a cheap aftermarket strut or you'll be replacing again after 50K miles. Finally, you do have an option of going with lowering springs. There's two approaches here - replace the strut and spring or go with coilovers. Coilovers have the benefit of being preassembled and fully adjustable but you'd need all four corners - which may break your budget at $1500+ for a quality brand for the set of 4. If you decide to go with lowering springs, again there's two choices, Some are single rate such as HR, some are progressive rate like Eibachs. Progressive rate springs mean the initial travel has a lower spring rate which goes up as the spring compresses. The drawback of lowering springs is you again need to match the shocks to the spring, plus the shocks should be slightly shorter than stock. A good choice to pair with HRs would be a Bilstein B8, which is the shorter version of the Bilstein HeavyDuty (aka B6). The Bilstein B4 is an OEM spec'd replacment strut which you may want to consider as an alternative to the Sachs OEM. Final comment on lowering springs - if you start lowering more than 1 inch or so, you will alter the suspension geometry so you may need consider camber plates and other devices to keep the alignment in spec in all three planes. My suggestion would be to buy a kit from a tuner store that is designed specific to your car and addresses these issues. So to do lowering springs right, you will probably need to budget $1000.

 

Great, thanks. My son and I bought Megan springs for his Saturn Ion and used KYB shocks and lowered it by 1.75" and the old thing looks hot. I was thinking of doing the same here.

 

I put BC Racing coilovers on my P2 S60 and it was very easy installation. Some people crap on them but I enjoyed them a lot. I got them from FCP actually. Is your car AWD? If it is, you will need to disassemble the rear struts to refresh/ lower them so you will need a spring compressor. This may also apply to the FWD, but I am not sure. They do have different rear struts. Just something to keep in mind. If you go with coilovers that have damper adjustment you will need to cut some steel over the rear coilovers, like a square inch so you can actually reach the ****. Coilovers usually come with a camber plate on the top of them in the front. Your rear end will be cambered out if you lower it and would need to look for an aftermarket rear arm that is adjustable or buy the adjustable camber bushings. Both are just as expensive. Or just leave it like I did because it wasn't ricer looking.

I was in the same boat you were as my car needed new shocks and I wanted to lower it. By the time I would of bought bilsteins and all the goodies to go with them. It was cheaper and easier for me to get coilovers.

 

So here is another question, how to recognize AWD from FWD without looking under the car???

 

Does the back of your car have an AWD badge on it under the 2.5T?

 

LOL. that was simple. Thanks.