Hi Folks,

I am trying to decide what shocks/struts to install in my 94 945. Any suggestions?

Definitely want to upgrade from the mushy stock shocks but not sure I want to go all the way to Bilstein HDs... I run Bilstien HDs in my 91 245 and like the tight ride but they are stiff and am considering something a little softer and cheaper for the 945.

There are several negative comments posted about the Sachs Advantage shocks (inferior Mexican production?).

And quite a few comments about Bilstein Touring shocks having improper sized fittings which make the rears knock.

KYB seem to be copies of the OEM ride, so not really an option.

What's left then? Bilstein HD for big money or poor qualtiy Sachs for less money...

Nivomat?

Thanks for any input.

FYI: Am planning on installing IPD saybars and new bushings also.

Bert

Thanks for all the feedback.

Right now the front runners are the Sachs Advantage (German made if I can find them).

But why would it be a real problem to mix shocks/struts between types? Is the balance that critical, say like with tires?

I am contemplating a mix of BilHD rear and Bil Touring fronts...

I just installed Sachs advantage purchased from FCP groton and as I recall the box indicated Made in Germany. I am happy with the ride. I will change the rears when it warms up. The bilstein touring shocks in teh rear have rattled for a while now. Anxious to see them go.

Matt


--
'90 245 295k, '93 945 308k

the Bilestine Touring or Sports are considerably less than the HD and give the ride you are describing.

I was in the same boat with my 93 that my daughter mostly drives.

I ended up with the Sachs Advantage, got 'em from FCP. The front strut inserts were the same as what I removed Boge Turbo Gas, still made in Germany. The rears were also the same as what I removed, Boge Turbo Gas, and made in Mexico like the Boge's I removed. They work fine, but these are relatively soft shocks, OK for a DD, cruising on highway, not the deal for sporty driving and I have the IPD bars on this car, so it's better than stock. However, I just put 1300 miles on it over the holidays and it cruised the highways just fine at speeds up to 80. I've had this set up on for about 9 months now, like I said, works like its supposed to, and is better than stock and the 12 year old ones I had on there.

The only KYB's for the front are the ExcelG, which are a really basic shock, although gas. I have some new ones never installed for sale btw, $60/pr.

I have had many varieties of shocks and struts on my cars. One car has the BilHD's all around, and I have had them in other cars also, and yes they are stiff. These came in my latest car, a 94 940T, and had been recently installed. They did not have the allen key fitting in the top, but only a round hole. Whether this indicates anything I don't know, but these do ride nicer than all the others I have had in other cars. Whether Bil re-specced the valving, or if they were re-valved, no one seems to know and the former owner was unavailable.

The one combo I have had that I also really liked was BilTouring front and KYB GasAJust rear, this is pretty good. Bil HD rear with Touring in front is also good and more stiff of course; the rear HD's according to many are underdamped, and they do seem to work well with the Touring front.
I have an extra pair of BilHD rears for sale, $90/pr

I recently put in some Boge TurboGas made in Germany, NOS, in the front of my 95 wagon, with KYB GasAJust rears. This to me is too soft but is a comfy ride. Had I known that they were softer than the Touring fronts I'd have swapped them before I sold the car the Tourings were in.

Re: the Bil Touring rear noises; both kinds of Bils come with rubber spacers that fit onto the sleeve the bolt goes through. This sleeve on most or all other brands is fixed in place, but on the Bils it is removable. So the shock can slip sideways on the sleeve if these bumper/spacers are not installed. I have seen the result several times, which is that the shock body did slide sideways and hit the trailing arm. I wonder if leaving these off is the source of the noise that some have reported; I did not realize this possibility at the time I was reading about this issue.

I'll mention that I have also added the 960 crossmember braces, the Volvo underchassis brace, and done the 'camber mod' to all my cars. I highly recommend all these and would not do any work without adding these on any 7/9 car, these are all that good.

I have an extra pair of BilHD rears for sale, $90/pr

If the OP does not buy them.
I am interested.
Didn't want to post it on this thread, but I don't know if this website is able to post private message.

Well if I don't hear from the OP shortly you're first in line. Contact me at
bikeguy (at) fastmail (dot) fm

Sent an email regarding the BilHDs.

Thanks for the shock reviews. Some interesting info...

I was not sure if mixing types front and rear was a viable option. Sounds like either the BilTouring/KYB or BilTouring/BilHD match up could work. ???

I may be interested in the BilHD rears you have. Are they new or used?

I just picked up the car last month, and since the weather has been so unreasonable, I have not actually confirmed if the car has Nivomats on the rear. From what I've read I hope it doesn't (i.e. smaller springs). How would I confirm Nivomat?

And since I'm new to 940 suspension, would you mind explaining a little about the "camber mod"?

If you have a 940 you do not have Nivomats. But they are easy to identify, they are 'upside down' and have a thick rubber bellows.
Camber mod, do a search on Turbobricks; type this into google;

camber mod site=turbobricks.com

Basically the upper strut mount is moved inward slightly. Some move the entire thing, some move only the front bolt, I slot the front bolt hole and pivot the strut mount inwards a bit, approx 12 mm or so. Some go more, max is about 23mm. Everyone who has done it says it is the best thing they have ever done for handling.

Sounds like either the BilTouring/KYB or BilTouring/BilHD match up could work. ???

Yes, very much so IMO. I had KYB rear on one of my cars, a friend had BilHD on his, both were good, his better I thought.
My BilHD's are used and good.
I also have the braces for sale btw.
Oh, and you may need brackets and two bolts to put a sway on the rear, if there isn't one now. They are cheap used, and easy to put on, use the ones from any 7/940 sedan.

Uncle MrNabisco!!!!

I enjoy your shredded wheat daily!

I'll advise against mixing dampener brands and models front to rear. When you buy a set of dampeners (front struts and rear shocks, or struts), keep the brand and model the same.

Some may use different dampeners by make and brand as the hard suspension bits such as spring rate, stabilizer bar, bushings (Volvo OEM Rubber OR quality urethane [use synthetic silicon grease like Super Lube brand for urethane bushes] - do your research!), wheel size, tire make and model, all have bearing on ride quality and handling. Over-steer versus under-steer balance. A squat ride like some Cadillac where when you brake hard the front end pitches forward as you may have now with failed shocks on your 940.

If you have the Nivomat brand rear dampeners, and that may be unlikely, you may have to replace with Nivomat though I have read the RWD Volvo community has options for those wanting to keep the 940 IRS, yet use regular rear dampeners.

In order:
1. Bilstein Touring. Your cost in USD is maybe 200-260$ shipped to you.
2. Made in Germany Boge Turbo Gas or (softer) Boge Automatics. Unknown. Research required.

FCP Groton, shox.com, iPd, and other vendors abound.

Avoid KYB, Gabriel, Monroe, and the like.

And if you feel spendy, the made in Holland performance dampeners from Koni may have options for you as many Koni dampener models are, after installation, adjustable on rebound or compression (maybe both, by now? I forget.). Most Koni models are hydraulic, yet respond crisply.

Made in Mexico Sachs, at least the set of Sachs Advantage (marketed by some as same as Made in Germany Boge Turbo Gas and that is a lie) strut cartridges I have now for less than a year on my 1990 240 DL wagon are unsurprisingly alright. For being a gas-charged shock, they have no crispness and behave and a purely hydraulic dampener. There is no gas charged sound when you bounce the bumper up and down. I forget the lower Sachs model.

Unless Made in Mexico Sachs has improved them, the gland nut (or ring nut) that secures the strut cartridge into the strut housing is poorly made. I had to use Made in Germany Boge gland nuts I'd collected as I disassembled front suspension in junkyard for parts and a good work out. I informed the retail vendor I purchased the Made in Mexico Sachs Advantage from. They indicate they've notified the Made in Mexico Sachs company as to the faulty gland NUTZ!

The mushy stock shocks you have on your 940 may have failed. If so, even Sachs Advantage would be a huge safety and handling improvement.

Hope that helps.

Volvo "Buttermilk" MacDuff.
--
He wished for his dream car. A 1998 Volvo 940, normally aspired, with beefy Getrag manual transmission. He was unsure what Getrag model. He slipped into Stockholm unnoticed in a dark Winter Solstice night, and when the Swedes slept soundly, Nordica was short one 1998 Volvo 940 the following day, while mighty, Mighty, MIGHTY Washington State, now annexed by a just, true, verdant, and debt-free Canada WITH single payor health care, like they have in Sweden, now has one extra 1998 Volvo 940.

"teh."