Bilstein Tc V/s Hd

[jdlc]

98 V70 N/A, 90k, running on 205/45R17 - beginning to hear noises in my suspension, both front and rear.

Good reason enough for me to fix the suspension, starting with the shocks and spring seats.

Might throw in new sway bar links and lower arm bushings while I'm in there. I'm hoping to re-use the strut mounts if they are still good since they are expensive.

I'm hoping to do it this late in the year. I have no plan to replace springs but hope to improve handling with a stiffer shocks, and also set on getting Bilstein. Any input on the matter is appreciated, so here it goes:

1) If Bilstein TC is a litter stiffer than stock shocks (say 15% like a member here said/heard), how stiff is HD relative to stock, 50%, 100% (that is, twice as stiff)?

2) Can they be mixed and matched - if so, front/rear HD/TC or TC/HD and why?

3) Both TC and HD are gas-shocks and stock is not, is this correct?

3) Is urethane bushing available for lower arms on this car?

4) Is it necessary to use new nut and bolts when doing suspsnsion for everything like suggested?

Thanks

[yangotang]

98 V70 N/A, 90k, running on 205/45R17 - beginning to hear noises in my suspension, both front and rear.

Good reason enough for me to fix the suspension, starting with the shocks and spring seats.

Might throw in new sway bar links and lower arm bushings while I'm in there. I'm hoping to re-use the strut mounts if they are still good since they are expensive.

I'm hoping to do it this late in the year. I have no plan to replace springs but hope to improve handling with a stiffer shocks, and also set on getting Bilstein. Any input on the matter is appreciated, so here it goes:

1) If Bilstein TC is a litter stiffer than stock shocks (say 15% like a member here said/heard), how stiff is HD relative to stock, 50%, 100% (that is, twice as stiff)?

2) Can they be mixed and matched - if so, front/rear HD/TC or TC/HD and why?

3) Both TC and HD are gas-shocks and stock is not, is this correct?

3) Is urethane bushing available for lower arms on this car?

4) Is it necessary to use new nut and bolts when doing suspsnsion for everything like suggested?

Thanks

1) I won't answer that, they feel really stiff to me but I haven't ridden in a car with TCs and have no basis for comparison. I know that they are a lot stiffer than stock.

2) People usually put TCs in the front HDs in the rear in order to allow for a heavier load to be placed on the rear. I know that JustReallyLame (JRL) on SwedeSpeed insists that this is the *best* combination.

3) Lower A-Arm you mean? No, I don' believe so. You might want to consider waiting for a while until Slater releases his control arms which have delrin bushings pressed into them.

4) You don't have to use new hardware. However, as a general rule of thumb, if something is rusted, it's probably better off to replace it rather than trying to use it again and having it snap later on.

EDIT: Please fill in your location information in your profile and car information in your signature.

[jdlc]

Thanks for the feedback.

I know my first question is subjective, but I hear you when you say HD 'is a lot stiffer'.

I'm kind of leaning towards TC front, HD rear, and with your feedback, I'm more into it.

I have no intent of replacing the whole lower-a-arm, so if no urethane bushing is available, I will probably just replace it with oem rubber.

And I have updated my location and profile.

Thanks

[MadeInJapan]

I've got TC's all around and am well pleased with them. They don't feel any stiffer than the OEM's in my opinion. JustReallyLame (JRL?)...hehe...that made me laugh.

[pete0r]

lol, JRL from sweedespeed. nice nice

[kenhoeve]

TC's are not distinguishable from stock. they just last longer. you will also not notice HD's in the rear, but I do recommend them if you load the car frequently. and the car will handle a little better as the rear of the 850 tends to be a little loose. hd's help slightly.

[jdlc]

Thanks all for your feedback, more and more, I'm convinced that front/rear - TC/HD is the way to go, for improved handling and occasional loading-up of the car.

98 V70 FWD shares the same rear delta suspension with 850s, right? Then I would think 850s share the same handling characteristics as my V70.

Thanks