Rear shocks soon, maybe springs…Lesjofors from FCP?

jschaefer7406 · Jun 17, 2021

Hey guys,

Know the P2 XCs are known for spring breakage, and our "new" 2006 has 125k. Springs look good, finish is still decent and ride height is level. Will be doing rear shocks soon though, and am considering springs at the same time just as maintenance.

I'm looking at these from FCP, given this is our family trip car and is usually loaded (no towing or anything, just 2 teens in the back, luggage etc.):

Volvo Coil Spring - Lesjofors 4295844

www.fcpeuro.com

Anyone here used these HD springs? Wouldn't mind a slight ride height increase, but I think the P2 wagons look goofy with too much rake.

Thanks!
Joe

vtl · Jun 17, 2021

I've had Kilen's 66024, HD springs as well. With the V70R rear anti-sway bar the harshness on the empty vehicle became unbearable, though the back was still sagging quite a bit under load.

At the end I bit a bullet and replaced the springs/shocks with Nivomats. That made a huge difference both in comfort and payload capacity.

Goofy?

This has 16 mm subframe spacers, 20 mm strut pucks in front and 16 mm rear shock mount spacer + 6 mm shims to keep Nivomats happy, so about +20 mm ground to belly.

jschaefer7406 · Jun 17, 2021

vtl said:
I've had Kilen's 66024, HD springs as well. With the V70R rear anti-sway bar the harshness on the empty vehicle became unbearable, though the back was still sagging quite a bit under load.

At the end I bit a bullet and replaced the springs/shocks with Nivomats. That made a huge difference both in comfort and payload capacity.

Goofy?

This has 16 mm subframe spacers, 20 mm strut pucks in front and 16 mm rear shock mount spacer + 6 mm shims to keep Nivomats happy, so about +20 mm ground to belly.

…and Barents Blue, too? Nice! ?

No, your car looks great. When I said goofy, I meant only if raked too high. I looked at an '07 before buying this, had new rear springs. Sat real high in the back, and looked odd. Not sure what springs they were, or if she'd have settled over time or not.

I'm happy with the ride now, other than the bounce. That said, would you recommend leaving the stock springs alone and just doing shocks? I don't want a harsh ride, but also not sure how the ones you've tried compare to the ones at FCP. Mine is all stock suspension otherwise, which plays a part too I'm sure.

Thanks,

vtl · Jun 17, 2021

Lesjofors HD and Kilen HD are basically the same springs.

I've had a brand new Volvo suspension all around carefully picked up by suspension numbers on the ID plate. The back was still sagging badly.

I would still replace the springs with the new ones, because you still have to take the assembly apart, plus the springs do break. You can also preload the rear springs a bit by shimming the spring seat, it's removable on Sachs/Volvo shocks.

jschaefer7406 · Jun 17, 2021

Thanks for the info. So to clarify a couple of things, sorry if I’m redundant lol…

First, what height increase did you get with the Kilen? And what other components were you running at that time (were the pucks installed, front springs old or new, etc.)?

Second, I’m wondering if some of the harshness could have compounded from the other mods you have (R sway, pucks etc.)? Just trying to gauge what I’d be happy with, since you said stock springs still sat low.

Thanks!
Joe

vtl · Jun 17, 2021

Fully loaded Kilens gave me maybe 1.5 finger of clearance. No suspension mods back than, besides HD springs in back. Struct/shocks/springs all new. Sway bar was stock 14 mm, the softest.

Use stock springs (new ones), hammer off the spring perch/seat from the shock, measure OD of the shock, get a piece of pipe with same ID (it happens to be one of the US schedule sizes), saw off two rings like an inch high, install it under the seats. That will preload the spring, taking out the softest part of it out of question. The change is reversible.

If you DIY your suspension, this compressor is a life saver: https://www.amazon.com/MOSTPLUS-MacPherson-Compressor-Interchangeable-Extractor/dp/B07CV6L57D Or similar one, it comes under a thousand of different "brand" names on amazon/ebay for about the same price

jschaefer7406 · Aug 10, 2021

@vtl, On the XC, is it just the shock and spring that need to be swapped to convert to Nivomats? Know the P80 cars used a different lower mount, and required some fabrication to swap between the two.

Considering the swap, mostly sold other than cost lol. Where did you buy your parts?

Thanks,
Joe

vtl · Aug 10, 2021

jschaefer7406 said:
@vtl, On the XC, is it just the shock and spring that need to be swapped to convert to Nivomats? Know the P80 cars used a different lower mount, and required some fabrication to swap between the two.

Considering the swap, mostly sold other than cost lol. Where did you buy your parts?

Thanks,
Joe

Shock+spring only. The OE kit also comes with a 19 mm anti-sway bar.

jschaefer7406 · Aug 10, 2021

vtl said:
Shock+spring only. The OE kit also comes with a 19 mm anti-sway bar.

You're a damn genius. ?

Never thought to look for the accessory kit, was pricing parts separately (@ ~$1k for just shocks and aftermarket springs).

Is that the way you went, with the kit? Accessories.volvocars.com says only shocks and springs included, but like you said, most pics I can find show a sway bar and hardware as well.

vtl · Aug 10, 2021

No, I've got a V70R rear bar already, which is 3 mm thicker. And this was good for my field trips (full roof steel basket loaded with the stuff). So shocks+springs only. Tasca may be the cheapest, depending on where you are.

jschaefer7406 · Aug 11, 2021

vtl said:
No, I've got a V70R rear bar already, which is 3 mm thicker. And this was good for my field trips (full roof steel basket loaded with the stuff). So shocks+springs only. Tasca may be the cheapest, depending on where you are.

Thanks again for the help, I was ready to pull the trigger on separate components. Looks like the entire kit is only ~$800 retail, and that's with all OE Volvo parts. As you said, Tasca is probably even cheaper.

I think that'd be my best recourse. We took a 1300 mile trip last week, and she was sagging pretty bad with the kids and cargo. My older two are teens, so nivos would help for sure I think.

Thanks,
Joe

ScottishBrick · Aug 11, 2021

My XC with nivo kit and R bar

Fully loaded. Approx 700 lbs of tools and gear.
Works great.
PN for the kit is 9499143. May be able to get it for $700 and change these days after tax. Well worth it

jschaefer7406 · Aug 11, 2021

@ScottishBrick Awesome, thanks! So to confirm, you bought the kit and then upgraded to the R sway?

Definitely the way I'm going to go now, foolish not to for that price. Glad I was enlightened there was a kit, thanks to you both. Being a former tech I should have thought to check the accessory catalog I guess lol.

Thanks,
Joe

ScottishBrick · Aug 11, 2021

jschaefer7406 said:
@ScottishBrick Awesome, thanks! So to confirm, you bought the kit and then upgraded to the R sway?

Definitely the way I'm going to go now, foolish not to for that price. Glad I was enlightened there was a kit, thanks to you both. Being a former tech I should have thought to check the accessory catalog I guess lol.

Thanks,
Jo

Did both at the same time. Was Day Zero improvements to the OR while being "built".

Can usually sell the 19mm sway the kit comes with for $100 or so.

P2 V70 R 22mm Rear Sway Bar PN 8672168 approx $160

jschaefer7406 · Aug 11, 2021

ScottishBrick said:
Did both at the same time. Was Day Zero improvements to the OR while being "built".

Can usually sell the 19mm sway the kit comes with for $100 or so.

P2 V70 R 22mm Rear Sway Bar PN 8672168 approx $160

Great, thanks!

Any idea what size bar these normally have (with standard shocks)?

Joe

ScottishBrick · Aug 11, 2021

jschaefer7406 said:
Great, thanks!

Any idea what size bar these normally have (with standard shocks)?

Joe

14mm and the vR is 22mm

Canadian Moose · Aug 11, 2021

We installed LESJÖFORS 4295844 on my dad's XC70 last weekend after one of his springs broke. LESJÖFORS springs are 1 mm thicker than OEM and a bit shorter. Ride height is maybe a hair taller than stock.

Cperkins · Aug 12, 2021

Canadian Moose said:
We installed LESJÖFORS 4295844 on my dad's XC70 last weekend after one of his springs broke. LESJÖFORS springs are 1 mm thicker than OEM and a bit shorter. Ride height is maybe a hair taller than stock.

I put the standard Lesjfors 4295842 on a few months ago with new Sachs on. All good here! I've been running IPD sways front and rear for several years as well.

jschaefer7406 · Aug 14, 2021

Thanks everyone, leveling kit is ordered. 😎

Does anyone have direct experience swapping from the 19mm to 22mm bar alone, with no other changes (stock suspension preferred lol). Curious how much difference there is, whether I should try to peddle the kit bar and go with the R unit as @ScottishBrick mentioned.

Thanks!
Joe

ScottishBrick · Aug 14, 2021

jschaefer7406 said:
Thanks everyone, leveling kit is ordered. [emoji41]

Does anyone have direct experience swapping from the 19mm to 22mm bar alone, with no other changes (stock suspension preferred lol). Curious how much difference there is, whether I should try to peddle the kit bar and go with the R unit as @ScottishBrick mentioned.

Thanks!
Joe

Yea, we did it to another ocean race actually. Better, but 21-22mm is the sweet spot if you like a neutral chassis

Rear shocks soon, maybe springs…Lesjofors from FCP?

Volvo Coil Spring - Lesjofors 4295844

jschaefer7406

Volvo Coil Spring - Lesjofors 4295844

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