STfour
Funnily enough it was sold to me by an "enthusiast". He had two of these before we bought one. So it's kinda disappointing to hear this. Apparently the car we have was originally a volvo press car, it's actually a 2001 model but has the 2002 5 speed auto. Has a tow bar too, but i now know he was bullshitting when he said it was a unique addition.
Vee_Que
The fact you replaced the very expensive shocks with generic shit says more about you than then previous owner to me. They are a sports version, so they will need more. Being a turbo they also cop more abuse than a stock height boring v70 20v.
egads
Bit rough there @Vee_Que. Monroes is what many places will sell you by default. We know others would choose a less generic shock but in many cases they work OK, just a C70 isn't one of those places with Nivo rears and replacing the wacky spec ohlins on the front.
STfour
Well, the very expensive shocks had become golden bicycle pumps, so frankly the Monroes are an improvement. I have no Idea how a properly sorted C70 is supposed to drive so I'm really shooting in the dark on how to make it drive without banging and crashing everywhere
STfour
Yes, I bought the car sight unseen, that was a mistake on my part, and I took the POs word that the car was in excellent condition. We bought it from Queensland to NSW.
jamesinc
@Vee_Que rule 2 buddy
STfour
I feel like I'm not getting anywhere fast with a solution to this issue, does anybody have a recommendation to make this thing ride as I assume it should, for a reasonable price? This is the current ride height for reference.
jamesinc
STfour;120871 wroteStandard 225/45/17
225 might be too wide, depends what rim you have, but some P80s run 205/45R17. If you're getting a lot of tyre scrub I'd consider dropping to a 205. I ran 215s on my 850R briefly, never again, scrub city.
If the car is too low, put taller springs on it, that's all there is to it.
@AshDVS can source lots of different spring options I belive.
Also, on a flat surface, measure the distance from the ground to the top of the wheel arch on all four corners and report back with the values. At least then we'll know (a) if it's wear, and (b) if your car is riding about what we'd expect on a lowered P80.
STfour
Well they run 225/45/17 from factory so I'd assume that it's good to run. However I'll measure from the wheel hub centres to the top of the wheelarch if that helps.
STfour
I really want to enjoy this car, I am rather fond of it, especially once it gets up to boost.
jamesinc
Yeah, a 225/45/17 on a factory height C70 would probably be okay, but on a lowered model I'm pretty sure it'll just scrub.
STfour
I would have thought it was standard, since when I replaced the struts, they still had the OEM volvo tags on them.
jamesinc
Struts don't set your ride height though (unless you move the spring perches). It's the springs themselves. If yours is riding too low, I'd say either you're running lowering springs, someone has chopped the springs, or your springs are at the end of their service life and are sagging, or some combination of those factors.
Volvo did sell cars with lowering springs from the factory and did not always set their wheels up very well. Once you get your ride height where you want it, if you still get noticeable scrub, just drop the tread width down to a 215 or 205. I run 205/45R17 on a 250hp 850R and have no traction woes (other than planting it in the rain).
STfour
I'm a little worried about it affecting the Speedo reading and getting the right profile series. I used to work with tyres. But the main issue isn't scrub, it feels like the front subframe keeps crashing and scraping against any kind of road imperfection
STfour
I'd really like to meet up with someone sometime that knows these cars, and how they should behave, because I don't even know if there is an issue, but it feels like there is one.
jamesinc
Well it can go one of two ways, either (1) the springs are worn, or the shocks are far too compliant for your ride height, and you have too much suspension travel over small bumps, or (2) everything is fine mechanically, but your expectations differ from Volvo's product. So getting some measurements on how high the car is sitting at rest will tell us if it's (1) or (2).
Anyway 225->205 isn't a big deal, it will mean a 3% over-read on your speedo (speedo reads 100, actual 97).
STfour
Fair enough, I'll get to it this afternoon then c:
Vee_Que
Monroes are a fine choice for a stock commodore or camry, they are one step below oem Volvo sachs, but given it had the ohlins, which are not common to be stock it's likely they also lowered the car, the question can always be asked.
From all accounts, lowered 850/s/c/v70 cars do crash and bash with lowered springs. Especially if you have below oem quality shocks that are meant for a stock height car. Because even ordering non turbo s70 shocks are a different spec to turbo t5 ones.
They spec the car with these tyres, and the shocks and springs are sportier as well as limiting the steering to avoid rubbing, which is really common on these cars. Its a case of put up, or make the car handle worse than stock and getting a marginal better turning circle. As mentioned, different steering rack means it's going to be different anyway.
Berry's or any other Volvo wrecker will have stock non turbo springs available if you want to go down that path. There is Gerry Lister who has a workshop now in Sydney so you can take the car to him too since you don't trust your mechanic to diagnose things, time for a new guy!
morgan
Is that mikes old car ?
STfour
I think so yeah.