Volvo RWD 444-544 Forum

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How to improve further? 444-544

My 544 shook so bad when I first drove it that the steering wheel came off in my hands. New Kumho 165/75 tires and a balancing helped somewhat. After having the wheels _rebalanced_ the car will go up to about 80 mph before I get scared that something might fall off. The funny thing was that both balancing jobs were done at the same place. Apparently the first balancing was not nearly as good as the second.

IPD sway bars added more pleasure to driving the car than anything else done so far (tires, wheel balance, shocks, rebuilt carbs, paint, stereo . . .). There is no question that the car is less disturbed at highway speeds by wind buffeting. However, driving in heavy storms requires a white knuckled grip on the steering wheel.

I don't have trouble driving the 544 on rough roads. The car was designed before there were many good roads. Mine does need some new bushings and clunks when driven over pot holes or speed bumps but I don't feel a loss of control.

Perhaps upgrading the shocks, tires and sway bar have overburdened your springs and/or accentuated any bushing shortcomings. Weren't some cracked upper A arms discovered on some of these 40 - 50 year old cars?

Joe in WV






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New How to improve further? [444-544]
posted by  gert 444  on Sat May 29 08:50 CST 2004 >


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