Volvo AWD 850 Forum

INDEX FOR 10/2025(CURRENT) INDEX FOR 11/2006 850 INDEX

[<<]  [>>]


THREADED THREADED EXPANDED FLAT PRINT ALL
MESSAGES IN THIS THREAD




  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

Rides like a truck 850 1995

posted by  KlausC on  Mon Jun 27 12:04 CST 2016
Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
[RELATED]

Actually, the 855T is a bit rougher than an F350. I have no records with this 180K project. The shocks/struts can't possibly be original, there is absolutely no nose dive at a stop sign. The product plate has GGXHEUS, the GG is probably standard springs. Front and rear are level, both measure 24 inches from the center cap to the fender opening.

I checked the strut seats and they are snug, so reasonably new.

I am comparing the ride to a 1996 854, NA. Probably not fair, but the miles are the same.

Should I go for new struts/shocks? How about progressive springs, are they made for a wagon? The ride above 40mph is real nice. I am just tired of feeling a bump when I cross over a telephone pole shadow.

EDIT:

Or, perhaps I should first replace every suspension bushing, front and rear. They are all 20 years old.

--
Keeping it running is better than buying new








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

    Rides like a truck 850 1995

    posted by  mwhittie on  Mon Jun 27 21:08 CST 2016
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
    last visit: Sun Sep 28 21:36 CST 2014
    [RELATED]

    I guess I have to say since changing struts and various bushings my fleet of 850's would classify as stout riders... I attribute that to being a true sport ride. I just replaced the struts in the 97 glt and other than the absence of the clunk and the creak, I don't notice much difference other than cornering stick. I don't ever remember the 850's being a smooth ride. My 240's had a "float" to them other than the stiff ride I got when I installed the extra duty springs in the rear.

    Don't know if this helps, just my two cents...

    Mark.








    •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

      Rides like a truck - concession 850 1995

      posted by  KlausC on  Tue Jun 28 09:09 CST 2016
      Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
      last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
      [RELATED]

      I guess this is normal. Sigh.

      I will be preparing to replace all of the rubber suspension bushings this fall. Hearing the suspension 'clunks' is worse than the rough ride. I enjoy the flat cornering and lack of nose dive.
      --
      Keeping it running is better than buying new








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

    Rides like a truck 850 1995

    posted by  james_a_sousa on  Mon Jun 27 18:39 CST 2016
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
    last visit: Thu Oct 23 18:51 CST 2014
    [RELATED]

    Does your wagon have a rear sway bar.

    When the bar on our 855R broke, it did seem to ride better.

    If you do have a rear sway bar, you can see that it has almost no give at all.

    Our '95 855 base and our '95 854 base rode much better (if you call softer better) than the '96 855R that would bump over the shadows of telephone poles!








    •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

      Rides like a truck 850 1995

      posted by  KlausC on  Mon Jun 27 19:10 CST 2016
      Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
      last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
      [RELATED]

      No rear sway bar. The 855T rides like my 1998 V70R, which had sport springs but Nivomats in the rear. The 855T does not have Nivomats.

      --
      Keeping it running is better than buying new








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

    Rides like a truck 850 1995

    posted by  jwalker on  Mon Jun 27 12:56 CST 2016
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
    last visit: Fri Jun 6 08:39 CST 2014
    [RELATED]


    Is it possible they are not stock springs? Sport springs would certainly make the rider stiffer at low speeds. At higher speeds it would be fine with sport springs. What about the struts? Can you tell?

    If you are sure the struts/shocks/springs are OEM then maybe it is suspension bushing time. Unless it already has poly bushings...:)







    •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

      Rides like a truck 850 1995

      posted by  KlausC on  Mon Jun 27 15:42 CST 2016
      Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
      last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
      [RELATED]

      The bushings are all original, at least the rear. I suspect some of the 'clunk'ing is from them.

      The springs are black, one of them has a blue dot of paint on the rear??? How to tell sport from normal, aside from the data panel?

      --
      Keeping it running is better than buying new








      •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

        Rides like a truck 850 1995

        posted by  Paul 740T on  Sat Aug 6 21:50 CST 2016
        Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
        last visit: Mon Oct 20 17:57 CST 2014
        [RELATED]

        Bought a '96 850 GLT sedan with manual transmission last month - will watch this thread to learn what to do to let the car ride flatly. Engine is peppy. Starts almost immediately every time.








        •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

          Rides like a truck 850 1995

          posted by  jwalker on  Sun Aug 7 11:27 CST 2016
          Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
          last visit: Fri Jun 6 08:39 CST 2014
          [RELATED]

          How many miles? Any repair records?

          If I were to buy a "new to me" 850, I'd start with checking out the front end parts.

          Second, I'd look at the struts and rear shocks. Usually it is the mounts that wear out first - strut mounts and rear shock mounts. Then go onto the struts and shocks themselves. If the struts/shocks need replacing then it is decision time. Do you want OEM, high performance or cheaper aftermarket. If you want a flat ride you might skip door #3 and focus on Boge/Sachs OEM or High performance - Bilstein or Koni.

          Didn't even get to springs and bushings yet...:)







        •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

          Rides like a truck 850 1995

          posted by  KlausC on  Sun Aug 7 10:57 CST 2016
          Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
          last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
          [RELATED]

          Is the rear sagging? IPD has some progressive springs ($$$) that are supposed to be comfy for the first inch of travel and then turn into rocks. Of course, old worn shocks in the rear don't help anything.
          --
          Keeping it running is better than buying new







<< < > >>



©Jarrod Stenberg 1997-2022. All material except where indicated.


All participants agree to these terms.

Brickboard.com is not affiliated with nor sponsored by AB Volvo, Volvo Car Corporation, Volvo Cars of North America, Inc. or Ford Motor Company. Brickboard.com is a Volvo owner/enthusiast site, similar to a club, and does not intend to pose as an official Volvo site. The official Volvo site can be found here.