Heavy duty or not. Bilstein HD or TOURING

[RedArrow]

A question on shocks. I`m ordering the heavy duty overload IPD springs (REAR) for the 740 wagon,... also thinking at this point about adding new shocks too (rear).
I`m thinking now,... like,... which option is a better match for the ipd HeavyDuty springs?

a, bilstein heavy duty shocks or
b, bilstein `touring` shocks

Any real experience, anyone? I`d need to hear opinions asap.
I appreciate the feedback. Would it be a stupid couple to have bilstein Touring rear shocks WITH the heavy duty ipd springs?
OR Is it better to have hd shocks WITH hd springs? Thanks

Ps.I have new Bilstein Touring-s at FRONT, not hd, but so far no complaints, very nice ride. I`m not using wagon for extremely heavy stuff. 200lbs 125cc dirtbike doesnt affect anything , but the 450 dirt is appr 300lbs on the factory volvo hitch, on an aluminium carrier/ramp that has weight to it too (~70lbs)
When loaded, rear is down like 5cm/2inches min. When bike is on, it is worse. Looks ugly. new front bilsteins are great but rear went down a bit after I installed them (front).
Recently thinking about hd overload springs all times. What shocks would u match with ipd hd springs? BILSTEINS strongly preferred here.

I just want to be safe(r), not look that saggy anymore, and/but have a stronger rear setup... BUT not a crazy thing to shake my leftover teeth out! I really dont want a harsh ride, i dont like sacrificing too much ride comfort. I always hated all our EU overload susp ford escort wagons that made so much noise on regular bumps... IPD didn`t answer my email today. (I have their front-rear anti sway installed btw)
So:

Q #1. HD shocks OR TOURING shocks to buy? (is Bilstein Touring a nice one with HD springs?)
Q #2. What (how much in cm-s) is considered a `normal` gap size at front fender? :) I currently have the 16 inch Hydras with 205/55 tires. and big fender-gap:) but hey stop thinking!... i`m not ordering their lowering kit springs:)

[v8volvo]

I think the HDs are a pretty stiff ride, but I know folks who do a lot of load hauling say they are the best thing to have for that and a good match for the overload coils. I had the overload springs on a wagon of mine a few years ago with a set of Bilstein TC's, and the ride was not bad, but I didn't haul a lot of heavy stuff with it.

Wagon looks great! :)

[Hanomag]

As far as shocks they are designed to dampen the spring and should not play a big factor when it comes to stiffness of your ride or height of your car. The spring will decide your ride stiffness and height. The HD shocks will hold up better as they are designed to handle the heat created by the up and down motion, so I would think that matching the two would be best. However, I honestly am not sure if regular guys who dont haul really heavy loads all the time would really notice a big difference. If the cost for the HD shocks is within your budget I would go for it.

[R.Mojica]

The struts / shocks do play a role in ride firmness. Look at vehicles like S60R and V70. They have 3 damper settings. Comfort sport and Advanced. Comfort is like an old caddy and advanced will rattle the sunroof out of the car. All this is controlled in the struts.

[RedArrow]

Guys, thx for all comments. I`ll share picts as soon as i can. IPD overload springs with Bilsteing Touring Shocks?..YES...it worked out fine, such a good match.
Very nicely balanced, no bullsh!t at all. Such a joy to drive now. Before this upgrade it behaved like cheap ship in stormy ocean...Wobbled, tilted a lot, shaked and rattled, did not roll nicely on bumps, ever. But now, Brick gained back its original height too, looking sexy. Tested on holiday camping, drove 270 to PA: Heavy loads+bad roads=NP! Car`s awesome; a dream thing it became on 4 new Bilstein Tourings &heavy duty springs. Both front sway bars installed earlier. Plus a few beers to celebrate.

Also i changed all 4 sealed beam lights to Silverlights. +front signal lenses new. A great new `face`, unbelievably stronger wide angle bright light. So much safer! Highly suggested. omg i was burning eyeballs on the way there nighttime...my own ones too... just by light reflecting back from roadside signs.
Found `Silverlight`sealed beams for $16. (2x H4656 and 2x H4651) ....Far away from `Standard`. The purple `XtraVision` is NOT as bright as Silverlight. Vintage wagon was hated a lot that night. Project continues

[R.Mojica]

Glad it all worked out in the end. The sway bars are awsome. I have a set on one of mine.

[RedArrow]

I think the HDs are a pretty stiff ride, but I know folks who do a lot of load hauling say they are the best thing to have for that and a good match for the overload coils.
Let`s see how ipd HD springs handle bigger dirtbike+load tomorrow but I currently dont feel like spending on a pair of new HD shocks; although there`s a guy who used four hd Bilsteins for a very short while, then sold(scrapped?) car, took them out, now back in box he`s trying to get 220 for the set including some leftover (new) ball joints,tie rod ends,sway end links but mine`s all OK there.


Glad it all worked out in the end. The sway bars are awsome. I have a set on one of mine.

Yes, driving it is soo much better now... putting them in was joy too, quick (hey they look great too but my car`s getting blue?!?... :). Most importantly it is a wonderful `long term investment`:O) into ride quality, safety + u cant stop fixing stuff once u jump into one :0)

I guess you have your set on the 760... Keep bricking

[R.Mojica]

The set I have is on the 90 745. My 760 just has an ipd front sway as it has IRS and a
ipd no longer makes "sets" for the independent rear cars. Also thats how I got it.

[casioqv]

I have the Bilstein HDs all around in my 760 sedan along with wagon overloads in the rear, 25mm iPd bars front and rear, and cherry turbo strut braces.

I think they are too stiff even for performance driving- the ride is quite rough, and I don't think the 7xx chassis itself is stiff enough to make good use of a suspension this stiff. Here in SoCal we have 'heat expansion' cracks on the freeway every few feet and these feel really rough with the HDs, but in my previous Mercedes diesel with stock shocks (Bilstein TCs?) I could barely feel the expansion cracks. Personally, if I were buying new shocks I'd go with KYBs- cheap but durable and good handling.

The HDs are appropriate when doing heavy towing or having a lot of extra weight in the car. If I have 4 passengers and a trunk full of 400lbs of tools for example most of the harshness disappears.

[RedArrow]

I have the Bilstein HDs all around in my 760 sedan along with wagon overloads in the rear, 25mm iPd bars front and rear, and cherry turbo strut braces.
The HDs are appropriate when doing heavy towing or having a lot of extra weight in the car. If I have 4 passengers and a trunk full of 400lbs of tools for example most of the harshness disappears.

I agree. My brick got stiff enough now, no need for those HD shocks at all. I have IPD front &rear bars, 4 new Bilstein Touring shocks and the rear ipd overload springs, they work nicely in perfect harmony. I haven`t towed a heavy trailer or anything yet but I`ve been using this EU spec 2x3 Volvo tow hitch for dirt bikes; no issues so far. The only thing that comes to mind to worry about is that tongue weight that Volvo says on sticker it is 165 or 175lbs at the ball. IDK. ...

Susp is nice.+gained back original height. My `old car` was a piece of sh!t compared to this `new car` I have now. :)

Else.Started using 215/60 r16 tires on my other set of Hydras since last week. it is a tight fit at strut plate and also at rear spring (sides)but I`d say it can take 225s too if that /60 goes lower...It is too high though. 60 here may be way too much with that 215 width, making total diameter of WHEEL somewhat 2inches (5cm) Bigger/taller.
I dont know if that can cause a problem later on.
My speedo measured 39miles on a 50mile trip. well, idk yet. any ideas?

Car looks mean on them. (offroad style) Currently on Hydras, which rims look small again, thanks to these fluffy tall tires. Pictures show the difference, +views of fresh wheel rear/front.

[RedArrow]

I added a few more pictures to show the new setup. Outer wheel/tire is a 205/55 r 16. Inner one is 215 /60 (16). --> 5 or 6cm taller.
And some time travel: a Firestone spare tire from looong time ago. Never used, still on original rim, stickered by Volvo. Bad news that Hydra wheel does not fit into trunk compartment of the wagon, they are too wide and too tall. Neither with 195-s on them which I had long ago.

[ngoma]

My speedo measured 39miles on a 50mile trip.
That's what, 22% off? Don't get any speeding tickets! :D

[casioqv]

My speedo measured 39miles on a 50mile trip. well, idk yet. any ideas?

I personally like the height of 195/65R15s on a 7 series, but you can buy digital adapters to make the speed read correctly with any tire size. Look at the Dakota Digital SGI-5.

[RedArrow]

That's what, 22% off? Don't get any speeding tickets! :D
Yes Sir, That`s a Catch-22 situation.



I personally like the height of 195/65R15s on a 7 series, but you can buy digital adapters to make the speed read correctly with any tire size. Look at the Dakota Digital SGI-5.

Oh, nice,I read the discription. I`d say `The less electric the better` but that unit is some serious business when you need it. :)
I`d rather spend time on finally wiring my roofrack fog leds...gosh

Feels great burning just a few sick swelling eyeballs (daily):), after shift-back smoking stupid tailgaters off. Combining the two with a visible 2x3 tow-hitch & a follow-up semi truck horn is best. As mean as it sounds but hey, it`s NYC. It must work. :-) (funny,disadvantages: A,must not be doing it w a cold motor; B,doesnt smoke much at op temp)

I use the Volvo mostly for longer trips where a windshield mounted TomTom does the trick (displays my real-time speed).
Wrangler buddy on hUgE ballOOns will love the Dakota gear!

Thank you TurboBricks for sharing this cool shot. You touched the `smoke-screw` again. STAY in the left lane!:) BRICKS ONLY.

[DieselScout]

I found the Bilstein HD Shocks to be too stiff for most driving with an empty cargo bay (especially on bumpy city roads)

They felt most comfortable with a few hundred pounds in the back and pretty much require the addition of HD Rear Springs to feel right.

I settled with the Bilstein Touring shocks for front and back.
I also stiffened the car with 25mm front and 22mm rear anti-sway bars, lower chassis braces, strut tower braces and firewall braces. Kept the stock springs.

[RedArrow]

I agree that there is no real need for HD bilsteins.

I have new ipd overload springs but the car is set `only` with new standard touring bilsteins and it is running awesome and feels really really great to drive

it is a wagon and it can tow without much sag and runs just perfect with 2tons behind it.

If I had hd bilsteins I think my dental bills would spike up pretty soon.

My car can already rattle enough so no thanks no hd shocks here.
I have matching new tires and not overinflated but still it has some feelable stiffness, which, I would never exchange to even worse (by adding hd shocks).

It`s my idea and I`m sure every car is a little dirfferent.
My wagon is very happy on 4 bilstein tourings, front and back ipd 25mm bars, rear overload ipd springs.

I also had thrown out the volvo spacer shims in the rear and replaced them with thicker spacers to help lift the butt of the wagon up. Looks and rides fantastic!

I dont even know what hd shocks are for but I understand some tow heavy stuff and haul serious weight.