Volvo RWD 200 Forum

INDEX FOR 1/2026(CURRENT) INDEX FOR 6/2003 200 INDEX

[<<]  [>>]


 VIEW    REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

Do I need short struts? Cut springs, now have steering problem. Long post, sorry. 200

Joshua,

When it comes to lowering your car, you have succeeded, but failed on the cost and safety side in HUGE ways. You have paid for two alignments and a rebuilt steering rack (that you didn't need), you have also (by letting the springs pop out of their seats) worn the upper strut bushings and seals between the rod and the tube.

I must say that you are very lucky in that the spring didn't hop out of the spring perch far enough to contact the inside sidewall of the tire... blowouts like that can result in massive crashes. DAMHIK, but I made the same mistake many years ago on a 76 280Z.

The cheapest "correction" is to put the stock springs back in before you kill yourself. The second cheapest solution is to install nylon mesh spring straps that act like chains, they run from the top perch to the bottom perch... beware, they don't make noise like a chain, but they do fail!

Spend the money on properly designed Eibach or similar lowering springs, a progressive rate spring is recommended for best performance and feel.

Glad to hear you posting, rather than someone else posting your obituary here! You got lucky!

jorrell


--
92 245 284K miles, IPD'd to the hilt, 06 XC70, 00 Eclipse custom Turbo setup...currently taking names and kicking reputations!






THREADED THREADED EXPANDED FLAT PRINT ALL
MESSAGES IN THIS THREAD

New Do I need short struts? Cut springs, now have steering problem. Long post, sorry. [200]
posted by  jdeitner353  on Sat Sep 5 09:57 CST 2009 >


<< < > >>



©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.