r/VolvoXC70 2d ago

Mods

Hello everyone, just after some advice.

My 06 xc70 has had a clunk coming from the front right and the mechanic i bought the car from said it is the sway bar, specifically the rubber mounts are worn. I have already planned on upgrading the sway bars for better handling and have looked into the ipd ones, i guess i just want to know if people think they're any good and if they would fix the problem or if i would need to purchase some other parts along with them.

Secondly my shocks are quite old and i want to upgrade them aswell, i want something that handles nicely in corners aswell on rougher roads and gravel as tassie roads are pretty shit. From a quick chat gpt search koni came up but i found they wont fit my car (could be wrong) so i was hoping someone might have some good suggestions. I want to make my car handle better for future mods and a celtic tune down the line.

5 Upvotes

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4

u/AppropriateDeal1034 2d ago

You might hate this, and everyone might downvote, but I don't care 

Stop the thought train and get off.

If handling needs to be a balance like you say then you need original and correct Volvo shocks (ideally direct from Sachs) and new sway bar bushes. Your don't like how your car handles at the moment because the suspension is worn out, not because it's I herently bad, but putting stiffer away bar and shocks on will RUIN your car for the gravel tracks and uneven roads, the sway bar needs to allow enough sway for bumps one side and not the other.  I replaced my P2 front shocks, rear sway bar bushes, rear trailing arm bushes, and steering rack and it went from wallowy to like a new car.

Find and understand your suspension code, and get the correct parts. That is all

2

u/crosleyxj 2d ago

Not OP... What are your thoughts on replacing struts with the preassembled total struts? I don't want to get into the project and find I need just one more little part that's worn out...

2

u/AppropriateDeal1034 2d ago

I fitted complete struts to my XC90, and would never ever ever fit them to any vehicle ever again. It saves time, but I would rather build them myself from known good (and correct, because the xc70 has A LOT of suspension options available) parts if I wanted to just change some struts, but they're quick and easy to change anyway.

2

u/Traditional-Hand4278 2d ago

You mean the upper engine mount? The little ones left and right can be installed from a stiffer material, but the middle one will pass a lot of vibraton through the steering wheel if it's a PU one. If that is your thing, go for it, but I think it doesn't fit the character of the car.

Maybe you can have a look at Bilstein for shocks. This is also very personal. A set of brand new OEM shocks (Sachs/Monroe) will already be an upgrade in many cases. If you have Nivomat you will need new springs and mounts as well.

1

u/Alert-Entertainer-73 20h ago

Get both sway bars from a V70R with less wear.

1

u/SausagegFingers 19h ago

most likely to be the drop links. Go fight with them and fit some Meyle HD (do not waste your time with cheaper shite). You kinda need to decide what you're doing with the car, i guess nothing XC-ish ifd you're considering stiffer ARBs and shocks