850T5M Posted October 4, 2010 Report Share Posted October 4, 2010 I have a question for all of you who own a 850. I never drove in another 850, so I have no car to compare too really. My dad has a 960, my mom has an accord, and my brother has a cobalt...all of these cars ride like heaven compared to my car. Im just wondering if its normal for the car to feel like a tank over small pot holes and little cracks. I recently (1 month ago) changed the back shocks (Bilstein Touring), OEM shock rubber holders, and stock springs. Have new endlinks in front (meyle i think is the company). I know I probably have to do my front struts as well, but the back of the car seems so ruff. Also the car is riding on stock 16" mags with "normal tires", not sure of the height but they aren't low profile... Is this normal? Should I be checking anything else? Thanks! edit: I spelled SUSPENSION wrong lol :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackBrick Posted October 4, 2010 Report Share Posted October 4, 2010 Yes, I have tried everything, and they are tanks. Although, my wagon feels more like a tank than my sedan. Don't know why. LIke you said, it just seems to be potholes and cracks. Bumps and uneven road are fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
850T5M Posted October 4, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2010 My car is less ruff over train tracks than over small potholes lol...its sad Anyone else have an input? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T5power Posted October 4, 2010 Report Share Posted October 4, 2010 what series profile tire are you running? these cars are built pretty tightly. they are european touring cars. not chevy malibus. moving up on the sidewall profile will definitely help. heck, i noticed a decent difference between 215-35-17's and 205-50-16's. the 16's ride like a dream. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
850T5M Posted October 4, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2010 what series profile tire are you running? these cars are built pretty tightly. they are european touring cars. not chevy malibus. moving up on the sidewall profile will definitely help. heck, i noticed a decent difference between 215-35-17's and 205-50-16's. the 16's ride like a dream. They're around the same as yours, 205-50-16 or 205-55-16 (if that exists). I just don't understand why my friends stuff cobalt with finished squeaking suspension rides sooo much nicer than a more "luxury" volvo... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest luke_jones Posted October 4, 2010 Report Share Posted October 4, 2010 Its probably because the cobalt isn't built as well as the volvo. My brother has one, and while it does ride pretty decent...it has way more body roll than my 855. That being said I currently own 2 855T's, hers: stock height with stock 16" Columbas and huge side walls, and mine: lowered with 215/45/17's and I'd have to say I thought the stock one rode pretty nice. It's definitely not as floaty as some cars, but I don't think there's anything irregular about how they ride stock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
850T5M Posted October 4, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2010 I guess I'll have to compare next year when I change the front suspension also. The struts are leaking a little I think... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James A Sousa Posted October 7, 2010 Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 Good luck - this has often been a topic on BBs When I have my 17" Volans on my 96 855R wagon, it bumps when I drive over the shadow of a telephone pole! It is much better over larger irregularities in the road. This was called "sticktion" - a harshness when a shock absorber first starts to move. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reximus Posted October 7, 2010 Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 I guess I'll have to compare next year when I change the front suspension also. The struts are leaking a little I think... do you have a particular shock absorber in mind for your replacement? if not, i heard that koni sport shocks are plushier when compared to bilstien hd shocks. the koni sport shocks would respond to the smallest movement that it's subjected to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
850T5M Posted October 7, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 do you have a particular shock absorber in mind for your replacement? if not, i heard that koni sport shocks are plushier when compared to bilstien hd shocks. the koni sport shocks would respond to the smallest movement that it's subjected to. I was thinking Bilstien Touring...Koni are a little expensive, tho I'm sure they are much superior to the Bilstein's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
czar Posted October 7, 2010 Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 I was thinking Bilstien Touring...Koni are a little expensive, tho I'm sure they are much superior to the Bilstein's I went with Bilstein Tourings up front and HD's in the rear. Meyle end links. same as you. New transverse arm bushings, too. Ride is hard in the city but this car handles like a sports car and rides smooth on the highway So, is it normal? Yes. And you don't want to run 55 series tires...here is why: http://volvospeed.com/Repair/2055516.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_HighVoltage_ Posted October 7, 2010 Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 Yep, it is hard. My rear suspension feels like I am in a horse and carriage. In the front I have Bilsteins too and they are hard. Annoyingly there is still a lot of body roll. 55 series tires will destroy your wheel wells, but that's something cosmetic - it won't hurt the car mechanically. If you like the ride better, you can switch to them. Just avoid doing turns in full lock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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