Does your 480 have tracking-problems? Does your car pull to one side? Or is your steering wheel vibrating? Read the posts in this category to find out what's going on.
Moderators: jifflemon, coyote1980, Rachel
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jifflemon
- 480 Is my middle name
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by jifflemon » Wed Apr 17, 2019 1:03 pm
So, posting this as an info post...
Just tried to order a Bilstein B4 set of shocks, and despite saying "10 in stock", received a message saying
"Unfortunately ourselves and Bilstein are currently out of stock of the rear shock absorbers from this set. New stock is due to arrive in June."
My concern now is that if Bilstein are out of stock, they may not produce any more new stock.....
Shall be keeping you all updated...
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jamescarruthers
- 480 Is my middle name
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by jamescarruthers » Wed Apr 17, 2019 3:31 pm
They were out of stock of fronts when I ordered mine and made a new batch. Hope that gives you some confidence.
I can recommend Spring Loaded:
www.spring-loaded.co.uk 01409-211663
1987 Volvo 480 ES, 507274, 217 - Red (Ness)
2001 Volvo C70 2.4T convertible (Olivolvo)
2008 Mini Cooper convertible (Mau)
Previous 480's:
J123 CFU -- ES
J449 MNL -- ES auto
D864 CPV -- ES
L691 JFC -- Turbo
F70 MNR -- ES
H858 FGV -- Turbo auto
E981 KHM -- ES (509849)
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100
- 480 Newbie
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by 100 » Thu May 16, 2019 8:29 am
On Demon Tweeks, why is it that the description of all these dampers are "Rear", or maybe I'm being dense.
https://www.demon-tweeks.com/uk/search/ ... 1ce6af48b/
Also Jeff, could you elaborate on springs, I understand you went for Lesjofors, may I ask why? What lengths did you go for - presumably some sort of "sport spring"?
1992 Volvo 480 ES Limited Edition
2005 Renault Clio V6 255
1962 Land Rover Series II
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jifflemon
- 480 Is my middle name
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by jifflemon » Thu May 16, 2019 8:47 am
Easiest way to start is with the online catalog:
http://web.tecdoc.net/lesjofors
Drop your registration in and it'll give you the answers.
Sports springs are the way forward!
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mathrock
- 480 Newbie
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by mathrock » Thu May 16, 2019 3:03 pm
100 wrote: ↑Thu May 16, 2019 8:29 am
On Demon Tweeks, why is it that the description of all these dampers are "Rear", or maybe I'm being dense.
https://www.demon-tweeks.com/uk/search/ ... 1ce6af48b/
Also Jeff, could you elaborate on springs, I understand you went for Lesjofors, may I ask why? What lengths did you go for - presumably some sort of "sport spring"?
Ah, I do concur that the description of the front bilstein b4 talk about the rear. However, the part number does match the part number for the front. FWIW I ordered a pair of both front and rears from them and did get all the correct parts.
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edie_fox
- Knows where Volvo is from
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Contact:
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by edie_fox » Thu May 16, 2019 6:04 pm
If one were to be a Basic Brenda, are the B4s and the Monroe springs what I would be looking for to replace originals or are they only recommended for people who want to take part in fancy modification behaviours to their 480?
I don't want cheap, I do want decent. I just wasn't sure if these suggestions were part of losing millimetres or simply the best quality available.
Thanks.

2019 - 1990 FOX 480B White Auto Turbo.
2016 -1990 G866 XPO 1.7 Light Blue ES
2008 - 1994 M314 NJA 2.0 Red ES
2005 - 1991 J795 AWU 1.7 Paris Blue ES
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jifflemon
- 480 Is my middle name
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by jifflemon » Thu May 16, 2019 6:44 pm
For standard replacements, I'd probably look at KYB's
Fronts: 633124
Rears: 343243
or if you wanted all Monroe
Fronts: 11153
Rears: 42044
At this stage of the game, its more about availability!
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edie_fox
- Knows where Volvo is from
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by edie_fox » Thu May 16, 2019 8:10 pm
Thank you so much

I need everyone on speed dial! I have questions about so many things that I can never quite seem to find definitive answers to!

2019 - 1990 FOX 480B White Auto Turbo.
2016 -1990 G866 XPO 1.7 Light Blue ES
2008 - 1994 M314 NJA 2.0 Red ES
2005 - 1991 J795 AWU 1.7 Paris Blue ES
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dekkb
- 480 Newbie
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by dekkb » Fri May 17, 2019 6:38 am
Why can't there just be a nice simple kit available, from one bloomin' supplier a like there is for almost every other car in the world
I'm still trying to sort a full set of springs and shocks for ours

but some of that issue is genetics

Previous: 440 turbo ( broken with an impressive loud bang) 2008
Current: 1993 480 ES
2009 Subaru Legacy sportsback
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jifflemon
- 480 Is my middle name
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by jifflemon » Fri May 17, 2019 7:39 am
well, if you pop back to 1996, there probably was.
Sadly, with such a small slice of market, its a wonder there's any parts still available!
KYB's seem readily available as a standard shock (i struggled to find the uprated ones).
I'd definitely recommend everyone check the lower spring mountings as these as NLA

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Alan 480
- 480 Is my middle name
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by Alan 480 » Fri May 17, 2019 12:00 pm
jifflemon wrote: ↑Fri May 17, 2019 7:39 am
KYB's seem readily available as a standard shock (i struggled to find the uprated ones).
I'd definitely recommend everyone check the lower spring mountings as these as NLA
so pushed into going for 'aftermarket' adjustable 'coil-overs'
which is an effective option but not the cheapest . . . .

Alan
480 ES 2litre x 2, C30 1.8ES, SS1
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jifflemon
- 480 Is my middle name
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by jifflemon » Sun May 19, 2019 7:06 pm
Just a word of warning....
Beware of the eBay seller "autoperformanceonline".
Here's the ad:
and here's what you get....
I didn't realise that "lesjofors" was spelt with "Kilen".
Thankfully I discovered it before my returns window had closed, so they'll be going back tomorrow.... VERY tempted to add some bricks into the box to hike up the postage charge (that THEY pay - there's
some good things about eBay/Paypal)
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jifflemon
- 480 Is my middle name
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by jifflemon » Mon May 20, 2019 11:16 am
And so, a follow up.....
Googling revealed that the kilen website looks shockingly similar to the lesjofors website. They’re the same damn company.
To allay my fears, I spoke to the customer service department of lesjofors this morning, who said they’re the exact same spring in a different box.
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100
- 480 Newbie
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by 100 » Mon May 20, 2019 4:26 pm
So are you keeping them?
1992 Volvo 480 ES Limited Edition
2005 Renault Clio V6 255
1962 Land Rover Series II
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Alan 480
- 480 Is my middle name
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- Location: Aberdeen
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by Alan 480 » Mon May 20, 2019 8:27 pm
jifflemon wrote: ↑Mon May 20, 2019 11:16 am
And so, a follow up.....
Googling revealed that the kilen website looks shockingly similar to the lesjofors website. They’re the same damn company.
To allay my fears, I spoke to the customer service department of lesjofors this morning, who said they’re the exact same spring in a different box.
for what it's worth that looks like the same boxes that the last springs I bought came in!!!
previously I think hey were the KYB, but as I just use my local motor factors they still seem able to get stuff, I don't ask where, just happy that they can source it!! especially the last pair of drive shaft boots

and for what it's worth the clip departed a few weeks ago

but half hour fix with a new SS clip, I'd bought a pack of ten . . . . . (SS1 rear also CV type so not overly excessive)
Alan
480 ES 2litre x 2, C30 1.8ES, SS1