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Suspension Upgrades 850 1997

posted by  fruckman on  Tue Mar 5 16:39 CST 2002
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last visit: Sat Apr 23 19:08 CST 2011
[RELATED]

My 97 850 GLT has 145,000 miles on it and has never had any suspension work. Believe it's getting time for new struts. Like the stiff suspension, but don't like the harsh ride (doesn't absorb bumps and cracks). Any recommendations to improve my ride?








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    Suspension Upgrades 850 1997

    posted by  georgepwebster on  Wed Mar 6 23:23 CST 2002
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    last visit: Sun Dec 16 10:45 CST 2001
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    Just installed Bilsteins,IPD strut brace,and IPD rear overload springs on my 97 GLT Wagon. Transient response much improved. Feels much more secure at highway speeds. Don't notice any deterioration in ride quality. Expansion joints are traversed more quietly.Ground clearance is so low I'm not ready to give up wheel travel to stiffer anti-roll bars. Have IPD skid plate, just in case.








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    Suspension Upgrades 850 1997

    posted by  John G on  Wed Mar 6 03:18 CST 2002
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    last visit: Thu Jun 28 20:37 CST 2012
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    I just upgraded to the bilsteins on my '95 T5R and I like the change a lot. One other thing I highly recommend is the strut tower brace. I got the Volvo brace for about $150 from Volvo Houston. It made a huge difference after adding the bilsteins. I also did the IPD springs at the same time as well as the spring bushings.








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      Suspension Upgrades 850 1997

      posted by  Gerald C on  Wed Mar 6 04:24 CST 2002
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      John G-- How would you describe the change you got? Less harsh ride? Better handling? etc.








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        Suspension Upgrades 850 1997

        posted by  John G on  Wed Mar 6 04:58 CST 2002
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        last visit: Thu Jun 28 20:37 CST 2012
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        The ride is a lot less harsh. The bilsteins and springs are still quite firm but the car is more composred than before. The strut brace got rid of a lot of the creaks and noises from the dash. I am very happy with the ride now. i would like to get rid of the factory sway bars as soon as IPD finishes their redesign.








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          Suspension Upgrades 850 1997

          posted by  fruckman on  Wed Mar 6 15:40 CST 2002
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          last visit: Sat Apr 23 19:08 CST 2011
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          How much should I expect to pay for bilsteins, springs and the strut brace, installed?








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            Suspension Upgrades 850 1997

            posted by  John G on  Thu Mar 7 03:27 CST 2002
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            last visit: Thu Jun 28 20:37 CST 2012
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            The bilsteins were $400(USD), the strut brace was $156 and the springs were $207. Install ran about $400.








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              Suspension Upgrades 850 1997

              posted by  fruckman on  Thu Mar 7 14:14 CST 2002
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              last visit: Sat Apr 23 19:08 CST 2011
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              So nearly $1,200 installed, for all 4 wheels, right? How many miles did you have on the original suspension parts at the time you installed new parts?








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                Suspension Upgrades 850 1997

                posted by  John G on  Mon Mar 11 04:27 CST 2002
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                last visit: Thu Jun 28 20:37 CST 2012
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                90,000. I also replaced the spring bushings/mounts at the same time. That actually was the motivation for all this. The passenger side bushing was broken so I just replaced it all.








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    Suspension Upgrades 850 1997

    posted by  TWB on  Tue Mar 5 21:38 CST 2002
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    Bilsteins. You are way over due. IPD prices are high though, but those are the parts you want. Get the parts number off the web site so you can shop.

    Thanks, Thomas








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      Suspension Upgrades 850 1997

      posted by  Yuri on  Wed Mar 6 04:31 CST 2002
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      What is the good price for a pair of Bilsteins? How much more expensive are Bilsteins comparing to the stock parts?

      My concern is that Bilsteins are rough, and this would make NYC driving very uncomfortable ( a lot of sharp-edged potholes)
      --
      '95 Volvo 850 GLT, 93K, all stock








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        Suspension Upgrades 850 1995

        posted by  steve s on  Wed Mar 6 05:42 CST 2002
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        last visit: Thu Mar 10 02:18 CST 2011
        [RELATED]

        bilsteins should be fine if not better than stock in nyc. just get a softer set of springs than ipd's if u're worried about being too stiff/harsh, maybe a set of oem stock springs, oem sport, or oem r springs.








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          Suspension Upgrades 850 1995

          posted by  John G on  Thu Mar 7 03:28 CST 2002
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          last visit: Thu Jun 28 20:37 CST 2012
          [RELATED]

          On my T5R, I had the stock lowered suspension and the IPD springs are softer than the factory springs and give a much better ride.







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