Genuine Volvo stiffer springs!
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- Ettore Bugatti
- 480 Is my middle name
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brown=dirty yellow?
I have had a look in the service manual, but not all colours were available on the 480.
After some maths I conclude that the softest front springs would give the lowest ride (at the front)
I think Volvo used different springs to cope with the weight differences due to options like turbo, airco.
I have had a look in the service manual, but not all colours were available on the 480.
After some maths I conclude that the softest front springs would give the lowest ride (at the front)
I think Volvo used different springs to cope with the weight differences due to options like turbo, airco.
Volvo 480 ES, chassis 283, dec 1999-aug 2005
Nissan Micra 1.0 Nismo, feb 2006-
Rover Mini 1000, june 2009-
Peugeot 106 1.4 Roland Garros, oct 2011-
Nissan Micra 1.0 Nismo, feb 2006-
Rover Mini 1000, june 2009-
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- rpruen
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I think maybe the blue springs are for the volvo lowering kit if you have the larger fuel tank, and yelow without? As you say optional extras that add wieght to the car (autobox etc.) may have diferent springs again.Ettore Bugatti wrote:brown=dirty yellow?
I have had a look in the service manual, but not all colours were available on the 480.
After some maths I conclude that the softest front springs would give the lowest ride (at the front)
I think Volvo used different springs to cope with the weight differences due to options like turbo, airco.
Richard
Car Status: Squashed :(
Now have 765 GLE 2.8 V6
Now have 765 GLE 2.8 V6
- Ettore Bugatti
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The parts list only lists black, blue, green and yellow for the front springs on a 480. So the grey and red front springs never were intented for the 480.
For the rear the partsbook only lists black and yellow. So the rear green and red ones are never intented for the 480.
Mine theory is that Turbo's used the yellow springs at front and changed to blue if A/C and/ or automatic was choosen and if a tow bar was put on the changed the rear springs from yellow to black.
The ES, S started with green springs at the front and changed to black if A/C and/or automatic was bought and as the turbo the rear springs changed from yellow to black when a tow bar was attached to the car.
So RPruen change your front springs from blue to yellow and you will lower the car by approx 10mm. Change to green front springs and your car will become a lowrider.
BTW What is your colourmarking on the rear springs?
edit change the rear spring theory
For the rear the partsbook only lists black and yellow. So the rear green and red ones are never intented for the 480.
Mine theory is that Turbo's used the yellow springs at front and changed to blue if A/C and/ or automatic was choosen and if a tow bar was put on the changed the rear springs from yellow to black.
The ES, S started with green springs at the front and changed to black if A/C and/or automatic was bought and as the turbo the rear springs changed from yellow to black when a tow bar was attached to the car.
So RPruen change your front springs from blue to yellow and you will lower the car by approx 10mm. Change to green front springs and your car will become a lowrider.
BTW What is your colourmarking on the rear springs?
edit change the rear spring theory
Last edited by Ettore Bugatti on Fri Oct 26, 2007 3:00 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Volvo 480 ES, chassis 283, dec 1999-aug 2005
Nissan Micra 1.0 Nismo, feb 2006-
Rover Mini 1000, june 2009-
Peugeot 106 1.4 Roland Garros, oct 2011-
Nissan Micra 1.0 Nismo, feb 2006-
Rover Mini 1000, june 2009-
Peugeot 106 1.4 Roland Garros, oct 2011-
- rpruen
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Hm...Ettore Bugatti wrote:So RPruen change your front springs from blue to yellow and you will lower the car by approx 10mm. Change to green front springs and your car will become a lowrider.
BTW What is your colourmarking on the rear springs?
I don't want the front any lower because I have a pipe under the car that is close to getting hit by speedbumps as it is
Not sure about the springs on the rear.. I'll have a look.
I don't doubt what you say at all. However my car is slightly lower than standard. When compared to several other 480s before adding any extra bits. I wonder what is different about the front struts, the spring holders may be different.... I guess I need to measure / compare to standard parts. Unfortunatly I didn't fit the kit,so I didn't get a chance to comapare all the parts side by side
Richard
Car Status: Squashed :(
Now have 765 GLE 2.8 V6
Now have 765 GLE 2.8 V6
- Ettore Bugatti
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I dont have the data by hand but if I remember correctly the dimensions of the springs were the same except for height and wire thickness. The number of windings and overall diametre were the same.
Volvo also stated in the service manual the lengths of the springs at a given weight.
All the 4 front springs for the 480 have the same height for various loads.
The data also was given for the rear springs, but strangely when I added this values(weights for the given spring height) I ended with weight wich are are about 10% then the weight of a 480...
Volvo also stated in the service manual the lengths of the springs at a given weight.
All the 4 front springs for the 480 have the same height for various loads.
The data also was given for the rear springs, but strangely when I added this values(weights for the given spring height) I ended with weight wich are are about 10% then the weight of a 480...
Volvo 480 ES, chassis 283, dec 1999-aug 2005
Nissan Micra 1.0 Nismo, feb 2006-
Rover Mini 1000, june 2009-
Peugeot 106 1.4 Roland Garros, oct 2011-
Nissan Micra 1.0 Nismo, feb 2006-
Rover Mini 1000, june 2009-
Peugeot 106 1.4 Roland Garros, oct 2011-
- coyote1980
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- Ettore Bugatti
- 480 Is my middle name
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- Joined: Tue Mar 18, 2003 1:58 pm
- Location: not in a Volvo 480
Hhhmm, so far the theory seems to be correct.coyote1980 wrote:I just had a new front-left spring fitted two weeks ago, that was a blue one! (1995 Turbo)
Anyone with an S/ES?
Volvo 480 ES, chassis 283, dec 1999-aug 2005
Nissan Micra 1.0 Nismo, feb 2006-
Rover Mini 1000, june 2009-
Peugeot 106 1.4 Roland Garros, oct 2011-
Nissan Micra 1.0 Nismo, feb 2006-
Rover Mini 1000, june 2009-
Peugeot 106 1.4 Roland Garros, oct 2011-
Mine are green on the front, but i want more stiffness!!!
Ryan.
1992 480 ES, 110k, Paris blue, custom SS side-exit exhaust, De-catted, custom fibreglass lightweight bonnet, custom fibreglass front spoiler, stripped interior, Slate Black textured metal paint throughout, Cobra Imola S drivers Seat, Ricco 4 point 3 inch harness, Magnecor KV85 leads.
Current Status: A very impressive track car. :-D
1992 480 ES, 110k, Paris blue, custom SS side-exit exhaust, De-catted, custom fibreglass lightweight bonnet, custom fibreglass front spoiler, stripped interior, Slate Black textured metal paint throughout, Cobra Imola S drivers Seat, Ricco 4 point 3 inch harness, Magnecor KV85 leads.
Current Status: A very impressive track car. :-D
- guitarcarfanatic
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Just to add...on a 1991 turbo, smaller fuel tank with air con, I have Blue springs. Noticed yesterday when changing my coolant. Look good nick too- doubt they are though!!!
1996 Saab 9000 CSE 2litre EcoTurbo
Previously...
Peugeot 406 executive TD - The devil!
1991 Red Turbo - Great condition and surprisingly un-rusty!
1989 Light Blue metallic Turbo - Sold!
1993 Steel grey S - Bought for parts
1990 Red ES - Now resting in car heaven!
1989 Black ES - Great runner
1989 Black ES - Spares Car. I murdered it!
Previously...
Peugeot 406 executive TD - The devil!
1991 Red Turbo - Great condition and surprisingly un-rusty!
1989 Light Blue metallic Turbo - Sold!
1993 Steel grey S - Bought for parts
1990 Red ES - Now resting in car heaven!
1989 Black ES - Great runner
1989 Black ES - Spares Car. I murdered it!
- Ettore Bugatti
- 480 Is my middle name
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- Joined: Tue Mar 18, 2003 1:58 pm
- Location: not in a Volvo 480
Ok I have read through the posts and am now completely confused
I need to sort the handling which means I need stiffer springs all round, for the record I have a 1990 480ES.
Now after reading the posts here I just want to check I have understood this fully.
To get a stiffer ride and better handling I would need:-
Front - Red Springs
Rear - Red Springs
Is this correct? If so where is the best place to get these springs from, can I get them off the net or do I need to take a second mortgage out and go talk to my local Volvo dealer
Thanks in advanced.
I need to sort the handling which means I need stiffer springs all round, for the record I have a 1990 480ES.
Now after reading the posts here I just want to check I have understood this fully.
To get a stiffer ride and better handling I would need:-
Front - Red Springs
Rear - Red Springs
Is this correct? If so where is the best place to get these springs from, can I get them off the net or do I need to take a second mortgage out and go talk to my local Volvo dealer
Thanks in advanced.
The trouble with doing something right the first time is that nobody appreciates how difficult it is.
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- Ettore Bugatti
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Not 100% sure but I think they are black as I can't seem to see any other colour marking, and yes before you ask I have cleaned the mud off the springs
I was looking at the Jamex or the system 2 from proven-products, as I have heard both of these are much stiffer springs.
I was looking at the Jamex or the system 2 from proven-products, as I have heard both of these are much stiffer springs.
The trouble with doing something right the first time is that nobody appreciates how difficult it is.
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changing just the springs will lower the suspension and stiffen it a little but if you want it to be stiff and not change the ride height then sports shocks would be a better bet koni yellows would do the trick or try to find monroe gas shocks
if youre after going low as well as stiff i would change the springs and the shocks as lowering with springs and o/e shocks will only wear the o/e shocks out quicker pi springs are the lowest stiffest springs out there pi stands for physical injury there that harsh
Hope this helps......
Adam
if youre after going low as well as stiff i would change the springs and the shocks as lowering with springs and o/e shocks will only wear the o/e shocks out quicker pi springs are the lowest stiffest springs out there pi stands for physical injury there that harsh
Hope this helps......
Adam
volvo 480 1994 vase green 2.0 es mods- lowered 45mm, 16" gold ssp rims, K&N induction kit, high lift cam, walbro fuel pump
1985 celicasupra ( Project )
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Thanks Adam, I was looking at changing the shocks too. Had not seen which ones to go with yet, was looking at Koni adjustable but like most things I am having a tough time finding the right ones for the 480
The trouble with doing something right the first time is that nobody appreciates how difficult it is.
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Guys any one running Bilstein Streetline kit?
I have been told about them by a racing buddy, who said they were a bit too hard for normal every day use, but would be fine for the track. The kit I was looking at was from Parts For Volvos Online. Sorry but I can't post the address as I'm too new
I would love to know if anyone was using these? If so what are they like?
Thanks in advanced.
I have been told about them by a racing buddy, who said they were a bit too hard for normal every day use, but would be fine for the track. The kit I was looking at was from Parts For Volvos Online. Sorry but I can't post the address as I'm too new
I would love to know if anyone was using these? If so what are they like?
Thanks in advanced.
The trouble with doing something right the first time is that nobody appreciates how difficult it is.
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Bilstiens are a good make if not a tad too harsh also the rears seem to suffer with over sized bushes so bang quite alot with bumps other than that a good siff shocker that will have youre teeth rattled out in no time koni red adjustables are the same if you run them on fully hard but with these you have the option of softening them up for the road use but there uber hard to find and then theres the koni yellows that are just good all round fast road shocks
volvo 480 1994 vase green 2.0 es mods- lowered 45mm, 16" gold ssp rims, K&N induction kit, high lift cam, walbro fuel pump
1985 celicasupra ( Project )
member 3285
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Its a volvo not a HONDA you silly chav[img]http://www.coolavatars.net/avatars/18/starwars.gif[/img]
1985 celicasupra ( Project )
member 3285
[img]http://www.coolavatars.net/avatars/18/veggies_then_fruit.gif[/img]
Its a volvo not a HONDA you silly chav[img]http://www.coolavatars.net/avatars/18/starwars.gif[/img]
- Ettore Bugatti
- 480 Is my middle name
- Posts: 1273
- Joined: Tue Mar 18, 2003 1:58 pm
- Location: not in a Volvo 480
An on-line shop offers Bilstein kit (springs+dampers) for the 480.
Rumour says that Fintec springs + Koni yellows reproduce the Volvo sports suspension.
Rumour says that Fintec springs + Koni yellows reproduce the Volvo sports suspension.
Volvo 480 ES, chassis 283, dec 1999-aug 2005
Nissan Micra 1.0 Nismo, feb 2006-
Rover Mini 1000, june 2009-
Peugeot 106 1.4 Roland Garros, oct 2011-
Nissan Micra 1.0 Nismo, feb 2006-
Rover Mini 1000, june 2009-
Peugeot 106 1.4 Roland Garros, oct 2011-