Hello all. I finally have my 74 wagon on the road. Passed my "certificate of mechanical fitness" here in Canada last week and have been driving increasingly long journeys ever since. Because I never drove the car before I got it (had been sitting in a barn for 26 years) I have no idea what the handling is supposed to be like. Have owned and driven a 67 123GT and also a 78 245 but both of these seemed a lot more positive on the road. The suspension set up on this wagon is bog standard and the car handles like a marshmallow. Is this normal? Am I on my way down the anti-sway bar/stiffer shocks/shorter springs path? There are no other 140s in my area so I thought I would ask here. Any insight would be gratefully received. Warren

What tire pressure are you running? Just for yucks, try 5 pounds higher in each tire. If I remember correctly, our 740s had 3 different pressures depending on load. These cars seemed to always wear their tires smoothly.

what type of tires are you using? How old are they?

Consider leaving the car stock as to suspension, wheels and tire size.

Car and Driver tested a BMW with larger wheels - + 1, 2, and 3 inch larger wheels. the best performers with the same tires was the stock 14 inch wheels.

They were surprised - the talked to a BMW engineer and he said "You realize that the car was designed for 14 inch wheels"

A car that has been sitting that long needs all of the rubber bushings replaced along with the shocks. Some or all of the ball joints could be bad. It might have been parked because it was clapped out! New tires essential of course. How tough is the inspection? What work did you do before you took it in?

Thanks very much for the input. The inspection was very strict and I had to do a lot of work to get it through. Fuel system rebuilt from tank to injectors. Brakes completely rebuilt. Tie rods replaced. Ball joints inspected and one replaced along with an alignment. Brand new tires.

I don't think the car was parked because it was "clapped out" but who knows? It came with no back story at all except that it belonged to the seller's father and came as part of an estate. It runs and drives great aside from the mushy handling.

I think the advice on here is strong and I will start by replacing the shocks and see where that leads me. Then bushing by bushing.

Thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts with me.

Consider having the springs tested if unable to do yourself. 50 years old if original as are any original bushings… Be a waste of money if you end up removing your new shocks to replace the springs later….

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Will I buy another Volvo??? We'll see....

Thank you. I will definitely do this

You shouldn't have to lower it and all of that expense. I would change out shock absorbers . Tire pressure? Cool car the 140 wagon .

If those are the original shocks and springs that would explain the “marshmallow” feeling. Way overdue for replacement. If so, OEM replacements might do the job without going stiffer.



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Will I buy another Volvo??? We'll see....