Can shock absorbers be repaired?
Discussion
Self levelling shockers are seriously expensive and sometimes only available OE no correct aftermarket replacements, been there got T shirt, luckily back in the day you could wander round scrap yards and i found almost brand new Volvo and Renault self levellers which were bought for peanuts.
The problem is that self levellers come from the factory with less substantial springs than the same car would without self levellers due to the springing assistance the self levellers offer and if you just replace the shockers alone the car will sag at the back, the usual cure is to buy a set of the correct springs to go with new standard shocks that you'll fit at the same time.
Might be a question best asked on a make specific forum where people will have been where you are already and can tell you what to and what not to buy, its getting the right springs, too stiff and the ride suffers, too soft and you get a sagging arse.
The problem is that self levellers come from the factory with less substantial springs than the same car would without self levellers due to the springing assistance the self levellers offer and if you just replace the shockers alone the car will sag at the back, the usual cure is to buy a set of the correct springs to go with new standard shocks that you'll fit at the same time.
Might be a question best asked on a make specific forum where people will have been where you are already and can tell you what to and what not to buy, its getting the right springs, too stiff and the ride suffers, too soft and you get a sagging arse.
Edited by Smint on Sunday 19th June 08:25
Smint said:
Self levelling shockers are seriously expensive and sometimes only available OE no correct aftermarket replacements, been there got T shirt, luckily back in the day you could wander round scrap yards and i found almost brand new Volvo and Renault self levellers which were bought for peanuts.
The problem is that self levellers come from the factory with less substantial springs than the same car would without self levellers due to the springing assistance the self levellers offer and if you just replace the shockers alone the car will sag at the back, the usual cure is to buy a set of the correct springs to go with new standard shocks that you'll fit at the same time.
Might be a question best asked on a make specific forum where people will have been where you are already and can tell you what to and what not to buy, its getting the right springs, too stiff and the ride suffers, too soft and you get a sagging arse.
Thank you for your informative response, indeed the mechanic I took my car to thought this was over his head and self levelling shocks were not even on his system to order. I wondered about the springs myself as the car seemed way too bouncy even with dodgy shocks.The problem is that self levellers come from the factory with less substantial springs than the same car would without self levellers due to the springing assistance the self levellers offer and if you just replace the shockers alone the car will sag at the back, the usual cure is to buy a set of the correct springs to go with new standard shocks that you'll fit at the same time.
Might be a question best asked on a make specific forum where people will have been where you are already and can tell you what to and what not to buy, its getting the right springs, too stiff and the ride suffers, too soft and you get a sagging arse.
Edited by Smint on Sunday 19th June 08:25
The car is Volvo S80 2010. Can we then replace the shocks with normal ones then? I checked many sites before buying standard shocks to see if it fit the car and it was all confirmed. The dealer however wants £150 just to check if they can turn off the shocks without it showing a dashboard light.
I did post about my issue on a Volvo specific forum however after 1,100 views nobody responded.
IAmTheWalrus said:
The car is Volvo S80 2010. Can we then replace the shocks with normal ones then? I checked many sites before buying standard shocks to see if it fit the car and it was all confirmed. The dealer however wants £150 just to check if they can turn off the shocks without it showing a dashboard light.
I did post about my issue on a Volvo specific forum however after 1,100 views nobody responded.
Fat lot of help on the Volvo forum.I did post about my issue on a Volvo specific forum however after 1,100 views nobody responded.
Are there any Volvo indy specialists near you who would be more inclined to know what's what, there is (or was) one at Wellingborough who was well regarded by my late BiL who had work done to his XC90 or whatever the big 4x4 was called, knowledgeable enough to know the ins and outs of geartronic fixing at a fraction the dealer wanted, Avalon Cars spring to mind, certainly worth a phone call.
If the shocks are confirmed as a direct fit it would seem to me that standard stronger springs to go with those shocks would be easily available too (possibly as a full kit), you could always slip a set of standard shocks on and see what the resultant ride height and handling is like, maybe the self levellers on the saloon don't have the same level of assistance that an estate car would warrant, springs can always be added later if you find sagging an issue.
Might not need the self levellers deleting from the ECU, i know on Prados you can remove the TEMS electronically adjustable shocks and replace with standards that don't cost you a kidney without triggering any warning lights and on Subarus the same, and can see no reason why this should be any different on the Volvo, even if it does need deleting from the ECU any good Volvo indy should be able to do that for you without the pee taking £150 just to plug it in at the dealer.
Smint said:
Fat lot of help on the Volvo forum.
Are there any Volvo indy specialists near you who would be more inclined to know what's what, there is (or was) one at Wellingborough who was well regarded by my late BiL who had work done to his XC90 or whatever the big 4x4 was called, knowledgeable enough to know the ins and outs of geartronic fixing at a fraction the dealer wanted, Avalon Cars spring to mind, certainly worth a phone call.
If the shocks are confirmed as a direct fit it would seem to me that standard stronger springs to go with those shocks would be easily available too (possibly as a full kit), you could always slip a set of standard shocks on and see what the resultant ride height and handling is like, maybe the self levellers on the saloon don't have the same level of assistance that an estate car would warrant, springs can always be added later if you find sagging an issue.
Might not need the self levellers deleting from the ECU, i know on Prados you can remove the TEMS electronically adjustable shocks and replace with standards that don't cost you a kidney without triggering any warning lights and on Subarus the same, and can see no reason why this should be any different on the Volvo, even if it does need deleting from the ECU any good Volvo indy should be able to do that for you without the pee taking £150 just to plug it in at the dealer.
Thanks for the response I emailed avalon? I never have anything or anyone else in the car would sagging still be an issue? I live in the countryside with lots of bumpy and winding lanes though I no longer drive like I did with the bmw 320 ci sport, should the volvo be alright without more springs? Are there any Volvo indy specialists near you who would be more inclined to know what's what, there is (or was) one at Wellingborough who was well regarded by my late BiL who had work done to his XC90 or whatever the big 4x4 was called, knowledgeable enough to know the ins and outs of geartronic fixing at a fraction the dealer wanted, Avalon Cars spring to mind, certainly worth a phone call.
If the shocks are confirmed as a direct fit it would seem to me that standard stronger springs to go with those shocks would be easily available too (possibly as a full kit), you could always slip a set of standard shocks on and see what the resultant ride height and handling is like, maybe the self levellers on the saloon don't have the same level of assistance that an estate car would warrant, springs can always be added later if you find sagging an issue.
Might not need the self levellers deleting from the ECU, i know on Prados you can remove the TEMS electronically adjustable shocks and replace with standards that don't cost you a kidney without triggering any warning lights and on Subarus the same, and can see no reason why this should be any different on the Volvo, even if it does need deleting from the ECU any good Volvo indy should be able to do that for you without the pee taking £150 just to plug it in at the dealer.
Edited by IAmTheWalrus on Sunday 19th June 13:59
Curiously my request on whocanfixmycar.com got me 6 quotes already ranging from £233 to £412, so its strange these standard garages are happy to quote a change, including the garage was in yesterday lol.. It didn't occur to me or the garage guy yesterday at formula1 autocentre to consider standard shocks.
FWIW the Range Rover Classic had a Boge self levelling device on the centre of rear axle which self adjusted to keep the car level regardless (within reason!) of the load carried.
Meant softer springs could be used which gave a better ride.
Shock absorbers fitted as well, one each end of the axle.
The self levellers haven't been available for years & no-one repairs them. Someone did try & IIRC had someone who specialised in the Citroen suspension to have a go, but it didn't work & nothing ever came of it.
The Disco 1 didn't use the Boge & in the event of failure on the RRC it's usual to replace the springs with a set of Disco ones - the two cars being much the same underneath.
If you're looking at going that sort of route with your Volvo be careful not to fit too heavy duty springs.
I tried a set of HD ones on my Range Rover & whilst superb when the car was fully loaded &/or towing they'll rattle your fillings when empty!
Meant softer springs could be used which gave a better ride.
Shock absorbers fitted as well, one each end of the axle.
The self levellers haven't been available for years & no-one repairs them. Someone did try & IIRC had someone who specialised in the Citroen suspension to have a go, but it didn't work & nothing ever came of it.
The Disco 1 didn't use the Boge & in the event of failure on the RRC it's usual to replace the springs with a set of Disco ones - the two cars being much the same underneath.
If you're looking at going that sort of route with your Volvo be careful not to fit too heavy duty springs.
I tried a set of HD ones on my Range Rover & whilst superb when the car was fully loaded &/or towing they'll rattle your fillings when empty!
Edited by paintman on Sunday 19th June 15:37
OK so local indy says it sounds too tricky for parts and referred me to his parts supplier to see if they have adaptor as appropriate for using normal ones in my car. He says mounts have to be changed. I'm now awaiting a response from the parts company.
Do any companies do repairs on originals? Thanks in advance.
Do any companies do repairs on originals? Thanks in advance.
IAmTheWalrus said:
Do any companies do repairs on originals? Thanks in advance.
I don't know about Volvo specifically, but there's a similar situation with adaptive suspension on the BMW Z4 E89.This company - https://nagengast.pl/en/regeneration-of-shock-abso... - can repair them.
They even have a repair service listed at £240 for an S80 for a pair of front shocks.
Jakg said:
IAmTheWalrus said:
Do any companies do repairs on originals? Thanks in advance.
I don't know about Volvo specifically, but there's a similar situation with adaptive suspension on the BMW Z4 E89.This company - https://nagengast.pl/en/regeneration-of-shock-abso... - can repair them.
They even have a repair service listed at £240 for an S80 for a pair of front shocks.
This is so effing annoying, I didn't even want the car it was bought in a hurry.
Jakg said:
IAmTheWalrus said:
Do any companies do repairs on originals? Thanks in advance.
I don't know about Volvo specifically, but there's a similar situation with adaptive suspension on the BMW Z4 E89.This company - https://nagengast.pl/en/regeneration-of-shock-abso... - can repair them.
They even have a repair service listed at £240 for an S80 for a pair of front shocks.
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