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strut insert - Bilstein HD or Touring
To upgrade or not to upgrade that is the question.
I am developing a tendency to upgrade when I can ... and do not know that is altogether a good idea.
If I'm only driving in traffic on asphalt would I benefit from Heavy Duty front strut inserts? I will grant that driving on the District of Columbia's road maintenance can sometimes be like going off road.
Thanks.
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Just as an aside, I also understand that the HD's are not for use on ABS equipped vehicles.
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Previous owner of my 740 wagon installed the Bilstein HD's, but found the ride too harsh. He shipped them to Bilstein's HQ in the USA, and had them revalved for slightly softer damping at $25 each. This was some years ago, so price and availability of this service may have changed.
I would say that he did the right thing, as the ride is still pretty stiff over anything but smooth pavement. Car has stock springs, IPD bars, upper and lower strut mount braces. Handling is outstanding for the car's age and basic design, but you do pay a price on choppy city streets.
My son's '81GL has the Boge TurboGas struts and shocks and IPD bars. IMO, this gives a good compromise between handling and ride stiffness.
--
Bob (son's 81-244GL B21F-M46, dtr's 94-940 B230FD, my 83-244DL B23F-M46, 89-745(LT1 V8), 98-S90, 77MGB and four old motorcycles)
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Besides three 940Ts, and three 7xxts in the family, I own a 1988 744T with a 5 liter Ford. It has IPD lowering springs, IPD sway bars, and Bilstein HDs. The ride definitely wears you out. It drives and rides like a race care. I like the Boge Turbo gas for a nice compromise. I had KYBs on a 745T we owned for ten years, and they also rode quite nicely.
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john
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For the driving and driving style I do, I love the Billy HDs. Fairly good roads out here,(Pacific Northwest) no frost heaves or nasty potholes too often. They do ride a little bit rougher than the other shocks I've tried, but for me the trade-off is well worth it. Complete the package with a set of IPD sways and you'll have a broad smile on your face.
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This is a question I'm struggling with too, except it's with my 740. Last year during one of my parts orders to IPD I ordered a full set of the Bilstein HD's. Haven't installed them yet. The roads here, in Edmonton Alberta, aren't the greatest, though they're constantly working on them. I've never had a super-performancy car before, and I don't know how I'll like the ride. Maybe it's not worth installing them, I don't know. I mean, this car is only the B230F, non-turbo automatic, so it's not exactly a high-performance machine. I think I mostly want it for reliability and comfort... hence the work I've been doing to sort out the issues that had developed with it over the years. I'm getting there.
So, for comfort, maybe the HD's are not a good idea. I guess my contribution here is to ask others what their opinions are on those shocks in terms of the "comfort-level" of the ride. Any opinions are greatly appreciated, thanks in advance.
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If your roads are like driving off-road do NOT upgrade to the HD front struts! I drove our 92 245 with lowering springs and HD struts/shock and blew out power steering rack U-bolts and tie rod ends in 9 months! Please note, all of those part were no older than 2 years.
On smooth roads, HD front struts are great, the rear HD shocks do not have enough rebound damping.
My advice is KYB GR2 and KYB Gas adjust.
jorrell
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92 245 278K miles, IPD'd to the hilt, 06 XC70, 00 Eclipse custom Turbo setup...currently taking names and kicking reputations!
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"HD struts/shock and blew out power steering rack U-bolts and tie rod ends in 9 months!"
How do you figure you were putting stress on the steering rack 'U' Bolts and tie rod ends from a stiffer Shock? Seems there would be less movement not more and the control arm takes all the force.
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Ive had Bisteins HD shocks and struts,IPD sway bars 15 and 16 inch tires on two different 240s and I like them.Almost 10 yrs now on the 87 and 6 yrs on the 88 no problems
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How about the Boge Automatics? How do they compare w/ KYB - performance and installation?
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Boge Automatic's are what Volvo put on the car originally (OEM). Basically a hydraulic strut/shock, and what I would use where roads are poor (like New England!).
KYB GR2's are supposedly similar to OEM based on the KYB site. The KYB "gas-a-just" is a bit firmer. On my '90 245, just a few weeks ago, I put Boge Turbo Gas up front and KYB gas-a-just in the rear. I really like the ride. Much sportier than the year old Sachs Touring (AKA Boge Automatic).
New set-up is great on nice SE Ohio roads, just a pinch on the harsh side on New England roads (which are horrible) when combined with a 20 year old driver's seat cushion. :-)
-Ryan
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Athens, Ohio
1987 245 DL 314k, Dog-mobile
1990 245 DL 134k M47, E-codes, GT Sway Bars, GT Braces
1991 745 GL 300k, Regina, 23/21mm Turbo Sway Bars
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