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960 new shocks, whatelse to get?

Hi

Our 1993 960 is in the shop for a transmission gear selector switch and we've decided to have some extra work done to it.

The suspension has been wallowy and choppy for a while now, it was never this bad when I learned to drive on it, and my dad had the car since new and he said it was great at cornering and a smooth ride for most of its life (car has 160K Kms and was built November 1992, purchased new August 1993) - we do tow with it and use it for hauling heavy loads now and then.... It's a Volvo, it's doing what Volvo's were built to do basically.

But it has come time to make it ride like one again... They are going to replace the shocks all around (Mac Phearson struts at front and the Nivomats at the rear).... should we be doing springs? (car doesn't sag) Should the anti roll bars be looked at? Bushings? etc etc... they are going over the car but if I can point at a certain item and say definately change that out it would be helpful.

I recommended only the shocks because I had new shocks put in on my Volkswagen Golf (99.5 with 100K Kms at the time) and it made a world of difference, especially on the rather harsh roads around Southern Ontario... I didn't do springs and I didn't change any bushing etc, but it is a much newer car... and at over $1000 that was enough money, tho the Volvo is going to be $1500 (Nivomats are pricey, my dad only buys genuine Volvo parts - I mean they have a great service life and we know what to expect, so why not right?)

Reply to
Rob Guenther
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Nivomats usually don't wear out in that fashion. If the car is sitting level, then both the springs and the levelling function of the Nivomats are OK. I'd start by just changing the front shocks and any suspension bushings, front or rear, that have worn out or are cracked.

By the way, Nivomats are made for Volvo by Boge, Nivomats bought in a Boge box from an aftermarket source will be the exact same part as you get from the Volvo dealer, except the word "Volvo" won't be engraved on them. And as a benefit, on the front suspension, the nut that holds the insert into the strut housing will almost certainly be seized and will be destroyed when removed. The aftermarket replacements come with that nut in the box, the Volvo originals don't - and Volvo will charge $30 each! for them.

Reply to
Mike F

Reply to
Rob Guenther

also do the regular things. .. . flush the tranny & radiator, etc.

960s are fine cars. we have a 96 and a 97 (S90). (the last with the "normal" engine placement). the s70 and 850 model, with the crossways engine, seem lots noisier.

you mention some tough roads (chuck holes?). one thing that will make a ride noisy and the handling seem not what it used to be are rims that hit some chuck holes, making for odd tire wear and sounds that shouldn't be in the classic nice-ness of a 960.

Reply to
bg4a

The S70 and 850 don't use the 960/S90 engine (although it is a similar engine). The S80 does have a direct descendant of the S90 engine, but placed transversely; On the few occasions I've been in one, it seems no noisier than a 960.

I agree with you that the S70 and 850 engines are more noisy than the 6-banger used in the 960.

Beverly

Reply to
Bev A. Kupf

Rough roads are more uneven and broken pavement... they patch the pot-holes... Our rims are straight and true, thankfully.

Radiator is new this summer, brake fluid was done a year or so ago, and the transmission fluid was checked, deemed not needed to be changed this time.

Thanks for the suggestions :-).

Reply to
Rob Guenther

Rob, Volvo do not state a specific ATF replenishment timing. In the VOC we recommend that the ATF (fully synthetic) be replaced at 100,000 mile intervals. Of course a flush is also recommended at this interval.

Cheers, Peter.

Reply to
Peter K L Milnes

It's been done 2-3 times already with 160K Kms on it, last flush was 2 years ago.

Reply to
Rob Guenther

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