The 850 does everything well except one (IMHO): ride. It thumps over cracks and potholes at every speed. It's the noise and the feel that bothers me, and it seems to be the front suspension that's responsible more than the back. For a $35,000 car, it's a bit much. Maybe it's because this car had its genesis in the late '70s/80s.

I don't lose sleep over this. But how can I help soften the ride when the time comes to replace springs, shocks etc? I don't want wallowing Cadillac-flot, just less Thump. Bushings? I just got new tires (Dunlop SP5000s, and they helped a bit).

I've got 53K miles on this beauty - when do I need new springs/shocks etc?

I know, drive around the potholes ;)

Guys: yea, I did find a trove of info on this complaint in the archives. Damn that search interface and results has improved! Good work Jerrod.

P.S. I forgot to add to my orig. question... what besides shocks/springs/bushings can I change on the suspension? I'm afraid I don't know much about suspensions.

Sin: I plan to get a strut brace, and after your positive comments, soon.

matthew

IPD swaybars shd be top on your list. next comes Bilsteins. the (lowering) springs are kinda optional depending on preference. Fr Upper Strut Bars - well, if you have ebuff money left over.

rgds

jeff

95 855T5A SAM chip

couldnt agree with you more. if there're 2 shortcomings on our turbo volvos, it's 1) the (inadequate) brakes; 2) the harsh ride.

I changed to Bilsteins and it made a difference. Friends report the Sachs kit (shox and springs) improves the ride a great deal.

do a search on the subject, you'll find lots more info ... and lots more gripes on the subject!

jeff

95 855T5A SAM chip

I think these 850/70’s have a outstanding stock brakes.

The ony thing I would do to them(w/out spending too much $$$)is change to braided stainless lines in front. If "YOU" want to spend $$$ go with some Brembo calipers & disks(driled/sloted or not), and good quality pads.

Inadequate brakes... very strange... are you using OEM pads/rotors?

sure am. OEM pads and rotors Fr and Rr.

when time came to change the Fr pads, i was too scared about possible issues to use any aftermart brand. people i know using brembo rotors have the most problems with warped rotors. that said, brembos are quite a fair bit cheaper than OEM.

dunno how you can conclude they're outstanding, mebbe for a NA 850/870, but turbo volvos with 280mm brake rotors just doesnt cut it, in my view.

for its bulk n weight (am specifically referring to my wagon, sedans may be lighter), i think volvo shd have given ALL 850 turbos the 302mm rotors they reserved for the 70 series Rs.

jeff

95 855T5A SAM chip

Jeff--

Inadequate brakes... strange... are you using OEM pads/rotors?

I recently installed the OMP Strut Tower Brace from CFI Motorsports.

The first thing I noticed is an increased rigidity in the chassis, and a more isolated ride from the suspension from the driver's seat.

The best way for me to describe the feel is that with the STB, it feels as if the STB makes the suspension soak up the bumps, and not the chassis, and eventually your butt.

And for $130US + shipping and handling + taxes, I wish I did this a LONG time ago.

http://members.tripod.com/~davespeed/sprtsusp.htm