Volvo 480 Club Europe

As some of you may have read my subframe failed a little while ago. I have just picked up a replacement and when repairing it all I thought I’d replace the shocks and springs and wishbones.
So where are people getting them from?
Are Bilstein B4 worth it? Is so, where are folk getting them from?
And I’d not what’s better? Or as good?
Also where a people getting wishbones from?
I thought id go from some 30mm lowering springs by klein on eBay £104 x 4 that Jeff suggested on FB
But open to other suggestions.
Fire away...all help/ ideas gratefully received

B4’s are a mighty fine option - possibly the best you can get.
Wishbones? Polar parts are my supplier of choice.
Kilen springs are the exact same as the lesjofars that people would usually recommend (it’s just a branding thing)

I can only find balance motorsport . Com selling Bilstein B4 in this country so far that say for Volvo 480, do you know the part numbers? Or another place, they seem to be cheaper from Germany but I’m going to incur import tax and may take an age?

I have used AUTODOC twice recently for callipers and wishbones for my celebration,not the quickest for delivery but pretty good value.

You'll incur VAT on anything from the EU, but unless what you are importing counts as "excise" import duties only kick in at £135 and upwards.

I can add a vote for the Bilsteins - they are what my GT rides on.

So pleased you have been able to reverse the original disaster!

David

Sadly I think we’re ever I get B4s from they’ll be more the £135. I’m going do do the rear I think while I’m spending money

check the spring pans whilst you are at it.

AFAIK they are NLA, so if yours are 'past best' consider getting coil-overs?

the coil-over option more expensive than normal coil/shocks but might be offset if you are think of tweaking?

Coil overs are mega money though aren’t they? I’m thinking this job with just standard is going to be expensive for me but I’ve always want to improve the ride in the corners so Bilstein and slightly lower i think is the way!?!

nigel poustie wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 13, 2022 7:14 pm

I can only find balance motorsport . Com selling Bilstein B4 in this country so far that say for Volvo 480, do you know the part numbers? Or another place, they seem to be cheaper from Germany but I’m going to incur import tax and may take an age?

fronts:



and the rears:

The full list:

Koni: Front 87-2586, Rear 26-1375
Boge: Front 32-b58-0, Rear 27-097-B
Sachs: Front 115 430, Rear 170 087
Monroe: Front 11153, Rear 42044
KYB: Front 633124, Rear 343243
KYB Sport: front 333102, rear 553169
Bilsten: Front VNE-4016, Rear BNE-1987

Last time I checked, Bilsteins were the only option.

Thank you

This may also help:

KILEN springs: KILENLOWB000728
Front Bilstein Dampers: 22-041067
Rear Bilstein Dampers: 19-019871
Top Mounts: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/273553089531 and https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272218786520
Strut bearings: SKF VKD 35001
Wishbones: Various available on Autodoc (or your chosen generic European parts supplier that all seem to be a variation of the same website)
R Drop Links: ibid
F Drop Links: ibid
Front ARB bushes: TEDGUM 00743843
Rear ARB bushes: 3432009
Trailing arm bushes: TEDGUM 00745354

If you want Bilsteins, I would call PartsforVolvos.com. I managed to get fronts and rears from them recently at a decent price. The rears are very difficult to find at the moment.

If you read my thread I make a few comments about my thoughts on the springs. I am currently running standard rears and Kilen fronts. Perhaps not an ideal setup but I didn't get on with the Kilen rears.

Regarding springs, avoid Monroe now as they don’t seem to differentiate the 440 and 480 which means a 480 looking pretty silly— like mine did before I got them changed to an old set.

Thanks everyone from your help.
Another question. The subframe needs new bushing.
Where do I get those from?

I have read again 100 post about springs
And I’m starting to have second thoughts, will 30mm lower be so hash it’s unusable as a family daily, it does have kids in the back regularly!

nigel poustie wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 15, 2022 1:01 pm

I have read again 100 post about springs
And I’m starting to have second thoughts, will 30mm lower be so hash it’s unusable as a family daily, it does have kids in the back regularly!

I think I had Monroe springs on the front, as my car was definitely very high at the front (as James mentioned above) before I got these new springs. Now I think it's perfect at the front. However, the rear was very low on the lowering springs and really compromised the comfort, not to mention my tendency to fill the back with stuff that would have resulted in the car sitting on the bumps stops! If I were you, if you have any doubt, I'd continue to use the standard springs and consider changing them in the future if you feel there is a need.

Subframe bushes: https://www.skandix.de/en/search/?q=1009367 (beware of extortionate shipping costs)

However, having read Jaykayems thread when he changes his, he mentioned that his later subframe accepts 4x identical bushes (as per the link above), but I don't know how you determine which subframe you have... Give his and jifflemon's car diaries a thorough read as it covers pretty much everything, with invaluable tips and part numbers! They gave me the confidence to do mine.

What brand spring would people consider standard, I’ve heard the turbo sits just a little lower but I can’t find anywhere that has different springs for turbo and non turbo, they just come back with 40mm lowering springs

nigel poustie wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 15, 2022 2:28 pm

What brand spring would people consider standard, I’ve heard the turbo sits just a little lower but I can’t find anywhere that has different springs for turbo and non turbo, they just come back with 40mm lowering springs

Not sure, perhaps give these a try? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/294326341711 ... BM2uSi3d9f

I think I got my B4s from here… maybe?

https://www.bilstein-shocks.co.uk/searc ... ilstein-b4

I think they may have come from somewhere like ‘performance parts online’ when I paid.

I got new subframe mounts too… I think that may have been polar parts? I got most of my parts from Polar Parts and managed to get a big order of only available at Skandix parts in just before the £££.

Just to update you all
I’ve order my Bilstein b4 shocks
Fronts (2) - Volvo parts on line - £113 posted
Rears (2) - Iqwxrem - £44.20 posted

Which I thought was good.