Hi Everyone,
I have a 1999 S70 GLT and live in the mountain view, ca area. Does anyone know of a good place to get new shocks? Also does anyone have any preferences? About how much would this be to put in new front and rear shocks?

Andrew

I do my own struts and shocks, not terribly difficult. The rear shocks are quite easy to replace.

The struts take longer because you have to compress the springs, manually, and that takes a lot of time - 10 to 15 minutes.

You will probably also need new end links, easy to check by grabbing one of them and push/pull. If it moves it needs replacement. They have to come off anyway to replace the strut.

I would assume shops, honest ones, would charge less than $1,000 to do all 4 which includes an alignment and cost of struts, spring mount bushing (heavy duty or XC90 version).
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Keeping it running is better than buying new

Hi Everyone,
I wanted to say, thanks for all the advice.

Andrew
99 S70 GLT 185,000 miles

If you like the stock ride, then go with Sachs Advantage. Boge was the OEM supplier until bought by Sachs or Sachs corporate parent.

Koni if you are looking for a high performance shock that is adjustable.

Check here for Volvo-literate service faciltiies:

- https://www.brickboard.com/SHOPS/
- http://www.volvomechanics.com/
- http://www.cartalk.com/mechanics-files
- If a AAA member, try AAA, though they seem to merit the most expensive auto repair services, seemingly, with their tow truck service

Vett using the BBB and i-net social media comments.

Please be informed: Boge purchased Sachs, and then Boge was in turn purchased by ZF. Sachs has a factory in Mexico that produces all of the Boge and Sachs sold in the Americas. The quality is much less, and yet vendors will brand Sachs "Advantage" as "Boge Turbo Gas". Not the same.

As you own a 1999 Volvo S70, you may have a chance that Boge of Germany still makes and sells these through Volvo or through a vendor like iPd (in Portland, closer to you, FCP Euro in CT-state, Rock Auto, Shocks.com, and such). Though I doubt Boge of Europa sells to the Americas. My experience with Bilstein Touring on my 1992 240 GL has been spendiferous.

Please see iPd's Volvo S & V 70 Suspension offering, including dampers (shocks):

https://www.ipdusa.com/prodtype.asp?CAT_ID=987&numRecordPosition=0&categorycrumbs=

Depending on the miles on your 1999 Volvo S70, there may be additional items for inspection and service such as suspension bushing, U-joint boots and U-Joints (boot not torn, U-joint in acceptable condition, clean and replace grease pack), wheel bearing and splined axle shaft seals and grease pack condition.

Motor mounts?

I'm unsure how many miles is a time to consider inspection, service, and wear item replacement for any of these items. I'd imagine Klaus C and some other folks can provide guidance.

Hope that helps you.

MacDuffy's Tavern.
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Give your brickboard.com a big thumbs up! Way up! - Roger Ebert.

Hey Kitty, now I know the corporate merger history of Boge, Sachs and ZF...:)

If your car has more than 100k I highly recommend replacing spring seats as the struts will have to be removed to replace those anyway. Folks here seem to like using the Volvo XC90 spring seats instead of S70/V70/850 seats. They are more heavy duty and last longer.

Yes, before doing the strut job check all front end parts. Tie rods are usually good for 100k+, ball joints/control arms for 150k+. No universal joints in a FWD S70 that I know of except the steering shaft. Do check CV joint boot condition.

Oh, if you hear rattling going over bumps it might simply be sway bar end links. They don't last long in these cars unless you go heavy duty...

About 6 years ago I had a local shop in Santa Cruz CA, put on OEM (Sachs) all around. Wanted to stay with stock ride. It was $732 for fronts, which included new spring seats, and $359 for rears. Needed to be aligned after and that was another $96. So with tax it was about $1,300. Not cheap, but the new car ride made it worth it.