Turbo / Non turbo springs

Springs, shock absorbers, wheels. Questions about this can be asked in this category.

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nigel poustie
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Location: Leeds

Turbo / Non turbo springs

Post by nigel poustie » Tue Feb 15, 2022 4:47 pm

Sorry for all the questions lately.
Is it true that the turbo sits slightly lower?
Are their springs stiffer too?
Do they have a different part number to the 2.0l?
And does anyone have the relevant numbers to hand?
I’m assuming the turbo spring would fit on a 2.0l?
1995 -storm grey Celebration - 108

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jamescarruthers
480 Is my middle name
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Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2003 3:19 pm
Location: Cambridge

Re: Turbo / Non turbo springs

Post by jamescarruthers » Tue Feb 15, 2022 5:20 pm

Hi Nigel. I'd really advises you to keep your original springs-- they will be the best you will ever get, unless you want to lower the car or they've already been replaced due to a breakage in the car's life. Some will disagree but I think a lowered 480 may feel a little sportier but i standard set -up is pretty well handling. It is easy to confuse lack of travel for handling prowess in my opinion. The quality of the steel in springs has gone down considerably over the years too. Aftermarket springs will just fit the 480 in general and not take in to account of the below information which will be engine, gearbox and towing specific.

480's can have a few different spring variations on them from the factory, not necessarily "turbo" springs. The original springs are marked with a blob of paint and for the front can be:
unmarked (3430963), 17Nm Spring Stiffness; 372mm length‎
blue (3436036), 20Nm 360‎ length‎
green (3451455) 17nM 362 length‎‎ or
yellow (3451456) 20Nm 350 length‎‎
[N.B. there are some other colours that would fit, but are NOT in the 480 parts book so are probably 440/460 springs]

and for the rear:
unmarked (3430788) 19.7NM spring stiffness; 322mm length‎ or
yellow (3418057) 17.2NM spring stiffness 310‎ mm length

The difference is:
FRONT: because of the weight of the car (mainly on the front springs) due to the engine and gearbox
REAR: because of the weight of the car due addition of the big steel tow bar and also when towing to stop it hitting the bump stops-- which are also officially cut shorter when equipped for towing!

There is NO way you will get the correct original springs from Volvo so I'd use your originals for as long as you can and only then move the the aftermarket ones which will be a compromise of one-size-fits-all-- even down to accommodating the fat-boy 440/460 in some cases.


I'd say leave the springs well alone and also work just on the front first as that's the more complicated bit.

Also, a word of warning on Bilstein rear shocks-- some people have found their rear ones to be a poor fit and rattle a little-- certainly not everyone though.


References:
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=10933
viewtopic.php?t=10927
1987 Volvo 480 ES, 507274, 217 - Red (Ness)
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
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)

nigel poustie
Knows where Volvo is from
Posts: 110
Joined: Tue Oct 09, 2018 7:44 pm
Location: Leeds

Re: Turbo / Non turbo springs

Post by nigel poustie » Tue Feb 15, 2022 5:28 pm

Thanks for that in sight.
One of my front spring is broken, so I’m definitely doing both front, so I think it makes sense to do all 4 corners as I’m doing all shocks too
1995 -storm grey Celebration - 108

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jamescarruthers
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 2501
Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2003 3:19 pm
Location: Cambridge

Re: Turbo / Non turbo springs

Post by jamescarruthers » Tue Feb 15, 2022 5:37 pm

Ah, well the fronts are rather essential then! In which case, I hope you can get something you are happy with and recommendations on other posts get you something decent.

I completely understand the logic of doing all four springs and shocks together too. I am advising caution as I ended with a goofy looking 480 when I got the wrong rear springs in my own big refresh. Remember springs and shocks on the rear are separate to much easier to change, with the warning that I think you've been given elsewhere that the spring seats might be crispy!
1987 Volvo 480 ES, 507274, 217 - Red (Ness)
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
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)

nigel poustie
Knows where Volvo is from
Posts: 110
Joined: Tue Oct 09, 2018 7:44 pm
Location: Leeds

Re: Turbo / Non turbo springs

Post by nigel poustie » Wed Feb 16, 2022 1:04 pm

Thanks for the info James
I have read though those posts and I’m no clearer when it comes to purchasing!
They just seems to be no way of knowing what you are getting!?! It’s a nightmare.
From reading the the yellow ones front p/n 34514456 350mm 20Nm and rear p/n 3418057 310mm 17.2Nm
Is potentially what I’m looking for but you put that into the internet and they are all showing different lengths.
I don’t want to change the springs and it end up looking like a 4x4 and I the same breath I don’t want such a rash ride it unusable.
It’s primarily a family daily but I do do roughly 2 track days a year in it.
There just too many different OEM lengths to know what your getting and some that don’t specify a length 😬
Where are folk getting their replacement springs from and what are they going for?
1995 -storm grey Celebration - 108

User avatar
jamescarruthers
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 2501
Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2003 3:19 pm
Location: Cambridge

Re: Turbo / Non turbo springs

Post by jamescarruthers » Wed Feb 16, 2022 1:54 pm

After my own spring debatable, I actually ended up installing second hand springs on my car and getting rid of the Monroe ones! If not, take your chances with one’s recommended on here and you should get a decent set up.
1987 Volvo 480 ES, 507274, 217 - Red (Ness)
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
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)

nigel poustie
Knows where Volvo is from
Posts: 110
Joined: Tue Oct 09, 2018 7:44 pm
Location: Leeds

Re: Turbo / Non turbo springs

Post by nigel poustie » Wed Feb 16, 2022 2:17 pm

What is recommended on here though?
1995 -storm grey Celebration - 108

User avatar
jamescarruthers
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 2501
Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2003 3:19 pm
Location: Cambridge

Re: Turbo / Non turbo springs

Post by jamescarruthers » Wed Feb 16, 2022 2:50 pm

Klein and Lesjöfors I think are well regarded on here. It seems that Lesjoförs made the originals and that Klein are closely affiliated, possibly the same company. Likely the best you will get for new springs. Just be careful not to buy lowering ones unless that’s what you want.
1987 Volvo 480 ES, 507274, 217 - Red (Ness)
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
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)

jifflemon
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 2464
Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2016 11:03 am

Re: Turbo / Non turbo springs

Post by jifflemon » Wed Feb 16, 2022 8:05 pm

jamescarruthers wrote:
Wed Feb 16, 2022 2:50 pm
Klein and Lesjöfors I think are well regarded on here. It seems that Lesjoförs made the originals and that Klein are closely affiliated, possibly the same company.
Exactly the same company. It appears that Lesjöfors is the brand name used when the cars are “new”, then the product is moved to the other company after a certain number of years. I found this out because I was threatening legal action after buying Lesjöfors and being sent Kilen springs. At the time (about 2 years ago) both “companies” shared identical addresses, email domains etc etc.

Can only assume there’s some tax loophole to doing it,

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