Volvo Fun, my '01 V70

[Huzer]

They had to order them. So...they've been shipped from Longmont to California, back to Colorado. I'm glad they thought about just having them drop shipped. Grr.

I just canceled the order as they couldn't provide a reasonable ETA.

[tsx_guy]

No what?

actually, i don't remember.... why not go back to stock? ha ha ha

[Shadowden]

I think you may be slightly more impatient than me. I would have waited and complained during the entire wait...but in one day, I drive my car more than twice the distance you drive yours in a week.

[Huzer]

Ordered the outer tie rods ends and...the correct struts for the car. Should raise the front about an 1.5" from its current height and put the camber into a more acceptable range. Picked up a pair of camber bolts in case it doesn't. Hopefully will have at least the struts done on Tuesday.

For a change, everything actually shipped. No waiting for backorders to fill. Woo.

[Huzer]

Got the tie rods and struts on today. Much better. Took about 2 hours, start to finish. Significant difference, much happier. Went from massive negative camber to within spec positive. I won't need the camber bolts, so those will be going back. They were the wrong ones, anyway.

[Huzer]

First, the difference between V70 struts and XC70 struts:



And, the car how it sits now:



Personally, I think it looks better than the slammed stance it had before. And it rides/handles significantly better. I'm happy with the ride. Now, for an alignment. Early next week, as it was a 3 hour wait today.

[kingtut]

So you lowered it....then raised it....then raised it back again (to stock height)?
It looks nice though!

[Huzer]

Nope, it's still lowered about 2". The initial lowering resulted in about a 3.5" drop. I still have R springs in the front, stock V70 (not XC) springs in the rear.

Progression of suspension work: First, all around R springs, stock rear shocks (new), new front V70 struts. Next, swapped out R springs in rear for standard V70 springs. Then, installed stock (new) XC70 struts and kept the R springs in the front. So yes, for me, the initial drop was too low and resulted in horrible inclement weather handling. I also couldn't get the alignment in spec with the initial setup. All is well now.

From this:



to this:



to this:

[RX-7 Chris]

I like the way it looks now.

[Huzer]

Thanks. It finally has the look I was going for (stock-ish V70 ride height, but looks slightly more aggressive due to the fender flares).

It handles/rides better now than it did when I bought it. That should be obvious, as I had 1 blown strut, 1 blown shock, all 4 end links needed replacement, outer tie rods, ball joints, control arms, and a few other bushings. Throw new tires/different wheels into the mix, too. Suspension should be set for a while now, I hope.

[chromal]

Looking very nice.

[Shadowden]

I can see your pictures. Yeah, that turned out great. Perfect look. The slammed ride didn't look bad, this just looks right.

[Huzer]

And I'll deem the suspension done! I had one loose sway bar endlink that I tightened up last night, and it's now clunk and rattle free. It's nice seeing one phase of a project completed, even if it did take a little longer than I hide hoped. Now, it's on to...who the heck knows.

[erod550]

I like the final ride height. Good balance between monster truck and slammed. And if it handles better, yet still has plenty of clearance to take on any snowstorm, then it's win win.

[Huzer]

The difference between the car stock, the car slammed, and the car now...I actually want to drive it. Maybe I'll put more than 400 miles on it over the next 2 months. I've got a trigger finger just waiting to order the IPD reflash for the wagon...