Got a 240 estate, 1993, which is very soft, so gonna get new shockers, and springs. Where in the UK is best to get this, I will fit them myself. Also is it worthwhile upgrading for better handling? lastly got a clonk coming from the front Nearside, any ideas? I was thinking anti roll bar? What do you reckon?

Craig :banana:

Hi Craig,
Chances are your shocks have worn out but your springs are O.K. It would be worthwhile upgrading - I'm sure Koni's are available in Britain.
Your clonk could be a number of things. Ball joint, strut insert, tie-rod end, strut upper bearing, loose wheel bearing. Honestly the anti-roll bar is not the prime suspect for knocks. The bushes can fail and the end-links occasionally snap but that's about it. You've have to jack it up and pull the wheel around to see what is moving. If the rubber covers on the ball joints and tie-rod ends are ripped they will have to be replaced.
The good news is that most of these parts are easy to replace you may have to soak some parts (e.g. tie-rod ends) in penetrating oil if there is corrosion.
Which part of Scotland?

Thats great info, I'll get it up on the ramps at the weekend, I live ina place called Lesmahagow, its about 25 miles south of Glasgow, its a semi rural village, its been here sice 1053!
Craig

Craig,
Good to hear back from you. I used to live in Glasgow. The front end clunks on both of our 240s were due to balljoint wear while one had an extremely worn strut. If you plan to do the work yourself a 19 mm ring spanner, a few 1/2" sockets (19mm and 17 mm) and a long 1/2" bar with a U-joint will make the job a lot easier.
The front anti-roll bar on US market 240s was 21 mm unlike the earlier 19.75 mm ones- I don't know if this is true in UK market ones- so measure it before ordering the bushes for it if they need replacing.
Ewan

Ewan, thats a great help, I have a decent workshop and access to a decent volvo spares supplier in Glasgow, its up near Possilpark!
I'll let you know how I get on!
Hands accross the ocean!
Craig

Hi Craig,
I have just got myself a 240 and i live in Glasgow too - can you post up the address for the parts dealer you mentioned in Possilpark?


thanks

Longboat