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Spent the weekend putting in new suspension goodies I got from IPD. What a DIFFERENCE! I replaced both rear and front bushings, not recommended for the faint of heart. After destroying one of the new small torque rod bushings I went to my friendly neighborhood Volvo mechanic and admitted I bit off more than I could chew. Turns out it was more than he could chew, too. He killed the other small bushing so he sent me out back to pull a used rod from a junker for free. He said in 15 years of servicing Volvos he has never had to replace one of those bushings. Anyway, one of the large bushings WAS shot but was much easier to replace. So, a lesson learned. Don't screw with them unless they are bad.
Next came new Sport Springs, rears were easy, fronts were less so, I used a spring compressor on the fronts.
New tranny mount and the thunk is gone when I start moving (there is still a shudder which I suspect is the center carrier rubber).
IPD sway bars, easy to install but I don't like the way the front links are bolted to the control arm (poly bushings). The old bushing had a steel core the bolt torqued down on, the new poly bushings do not. It seems you have to rely on loctite to keep them from unscrewing. This is an item I will be checking regularly!
Next came upper & lower chassis braces, also easy.
After the entire package was installed, the ride is definitely different. Smooth and tight on flat roads. You do feel any road imperfections but I expected that so it was not a surprise. Handling is greatly improved in cornering which is what I was after. It is whole new car in that aspect. I am very pleased.
The observent will have noticed I did not mention shocks. The pocketbook didn't allow that this time but I plan on Bilsteins as soon as I'm solvent again. Any questions, feel free to ask. After the Bilsteins? Bigger exhaust, working toward more horsepower. SLEEPER WAGON!
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Bob Kraushaar '94 945T, '91 940T, '88 240, '94 F-150, '68 Shelby GT-500 KR
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