The reason I ask is it normal is that most of the time all is well, and the shocks seem to be fine.

It is on a really bad washboard interstate road (one I get on often) It will almost beat you to death - and seems to be coming mainly from the rear. I mean it will jar the car really bad - bouncing too - but not out of control - like in bad shocks.

I am pretty sure that I am needing some new bushings back there - but the shocks seem fine. Is this in any way normal on a 92 745T?

Thanks
Andrew in AL
--
'91 940T (198K) , '94 940T (145K) , '92 745T (170K)

One way to check the shocks would be to take the car for a ride of 5 miles or so on a normal road, then check the temperature of the shocks. Let them cool if possible, then do 5 miles on the road in question, the shocks should be noticably warmer, if not , they are not working.

Your shocks could be "pumping down". Many, frequent bumps can move the fluid through the shock's valving, but there is not enough time for the fluid to return fully to be ready for the next bump.

I had a Honda dirt bike that had shocks that would perform fine until I took it on a stretch of RR tracks, soon the shocks were "dead" and the bike was squatting down in the rear and bouncing around. I had read about this problem in Cycle magazine.

There is plenty of force from the bump to push the shock up, but only the car's springs and pressure in the shock push it back down.
--
96 855R, 95 855,854, 90 744 Ti - 325,000 miles driven

Thanks James
That gives me some good insight on getting this corrected - if in fact it needs correction at all.

I do wonder, though. Are there shocks (and I am sure there are) that would be better at the handling at the 'rebounding' - being able to better handle the quicker, more pronounced ups and downs that we might get on such a road.

I know there are a couple of primary brands of shocks that are recommended, but are there others?

I have always thought of shocks as being somewhat of an afterthought - not really needing to be looked at until they are mush. I am seeing that I have been wrong.

Andrew in AL
--
'91 940T (198K) , '94 940T (145K) , '92 745T (170K)

It is probably just the road, I would drive on a better road in the same conditions, speed, etc and see if there is a difference. If there really is a problem it could be the drive shaft.

Well - it is really good on good to moderate roads. This is one particular stretch - I have to admit.

Thing is - it is REALLY ROUGH - I mean it gets to jumping up and down pretty bad in the back. Just makes me wonder if other wagon owners ever experience something simular.

Thanks for the reply
Andrew in AL
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'91 940T (198K) , '94 940T (145K) , '92 745T (170K)

I suspect it's resonance. The rhymic balance of the tires/suspension matches the lumps on the road, amplifying the bounce. Try driving that stretch at a different speed.

-- Kane
--
Blossom II - '91 745Ti/M46 ... Bubbles - '74 144GL/BW35 ... Buttercup - '86 245GL/AW70 ... The Wayback Machine - '64 P220/M40

Trust me - this is not resonance. It really bounces and jumps.

One day I will have the $ to redo the back end. In the mean while - all I wonder is if anyone else experiences anything like this with a wagon (or a sedan - for that matter).

Thanks for all replies
Andrew in AL
--
'91 940T (198K) , '94 940T (145K) , '92 745T (170K)

Not in a Volvo, but two of the company work trucks (both Chevy's) suffer from resonance on some freeways at 62-67 mph. Slower - it's fine, faster - it's fine. Between those speeds ... ugh - it feels like the front is bobbing at least 6 inches at a time.

-- Kane ... such is still my suspect, so.
--
Blossom II - '91 745Ti/M46 ... Bubbles - '74 144GL/BW35 ... Buttercup - '86 245GL/AW70 ... The Wayback Machine - '64 P220/M40