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240 Best 240 Shocks/Struts... for... Comfort?

kyote

kyote

Living The Dream
Joined
Apr 27, 2003
Location
La Porte TX
After years of being beat to death by stiffly suspended 240s, I am ready to have a cushier ride for my 2.5hr round trip daily ride.

Bought a new 245 to build into what I believe to be my ultimate daily.

If you were buying shocks, purely for smooth ride, which would you buy?

I am officially old now for asking this question.
 
kyote said:
After years of being beat to death by stiffly suspended 240s, I am ready to have a cushier ride for my 2.5hr round trip daily ride.

Bought a new 245 to build into what I believe to be my ultimate daily.

If you were buying shocks, purely for smooth ride, which would you buy?

I am officially old now for asking this question.
Click to expand...

I had a 245 on stock uncut springs with Bilstein HDs and just a 25mm front swaybar, stock rear bar, stock bushings - it was a soft ride but was still responsive and not a sloppy mess like totally stock suspension. Really it was pretty good. It was my 100 mile round trip daily for a year.

edit: hydras with good tires helped it not feel like a pig on turn-in, I'm sure
edit edit: and I really would choose Bilsteins with stock uncut springs for a smooth ride, because I think the stockness is too soft, too uncontrolled, especially if you have proper tires that allow you to utilize how much braking power a 240 has
 
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I just bought some Sach's "performance" quality struts, I also just ordered some of the 14.2mm springs from the other thread. It looks like the 245 I just bought is on front lowering springs but not the rear, it drives alright but there's something wrong with the left strut mount. The spring jumps around at full right lock and makes the car pull right. If I turn the wheel to the left it pops back and drives normally. I don't think the strut rod is tight enough but when I try to zap it down the strut rod just spins, when I grabbed it underneath I can feel a bend in the rod. Hence new struts, springs, strut mounts and boots. I'm so mad I had to order springs, I just scrapped 2 sets of uncut fronts. Anyway CSB I'll report back on the spring/strut combo once I get all my pieces
 
The older version of Sachs Performance gas shocks/struts are great for a comfortable ride. They have good damping quality without being too stiff. I don't think they offer a gas charged strut anymore. I think the closest thing to the Sachs are the Bilsteins.

OP, the SACHS shocks/struts these days are just the OEM Boge shocks/struts with a SACHS label over the Boge stamped logo. I just pulled a set out of a 1993 240 I parted out. SACHS and Boge are the same company.
 
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As mentioned above. The bilstein HD in stock for your volvo valving is pretty comfortable. But with the way the shock is setup you can count on some better handling if needed.

The other excellent comfortable ride is the Koni yellows with them set to comfort setting. A great ride and if you want to stiffen things up all the way to crazy you have two more settings. Sure they cost the most but they also give you the widest range of comfort to performance. Easy to adjust as well.

My wagon is due for a suspension make over and I'm going to be using the Bilsteins or Konis in front. HD bilsteins in the rear with the Gt springs in front and overloads in the rear. Still not set for sure on the rear springs as overloads can be a little harsh when you aren't carrying anything. I guess I will just have to add some more stuff to the back. lol.
 
I'm gonna agree with Redwood. Restore to stock. I think the blown out shocks removed from my girlfriends car were comfier than the brand new Bilstein Tourings put in. :lol: The car handles much better now though.
 
dl242gt said:
As mentioned above. The bilstein HD in stock for your volvo valving is pretty comfortable. But with the way the shock is setup you can count on some better handling if needed.

The other excellent comfortable ride is the Koni yellows with them set to comfort setting. A great ride and if you want to stiffen things up all the way to crazy you have two more settings. Sure they cost the most but they also give you the widest range of comfort to performance. Easy to adjust as well.

My wagon is due for a suspension make over and I'm going to be using the Bilsteins or Konis in front. HD bilsteins in the rear with the Gt springs in front and overloads in the rear. Still not set for sure on the rear springs as overloads can be a little harsh when you aren't carrying anything. I guess I will just have to add some more stuff to the back. lol.
Click to expand...

In a similar situation, with a 1992 240 wagon (Bilz HD's IPD 25/23)
removed lowering springs, installed 14.5mm HD sprngs(f), 14mm(r)
but not liking the front set up/too stiff in large part struts are old

Plan to swap out(rear) 14mm's for 13's
Considering a 23mm bar up front, and 21 or stock bar for the rear
replace strut cartridges
 
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I did an '89 wagon with Boges, 23/21 sways and I think most importantly for a comfy ride, that bigger sidewall, I did 195/70/14 Yokohama Avid touring tires, handles decent for on and off ramps is super smooth and comfy for all around driving
 
Found a set of Good Used DeCarbons in the shed that I had forgotten about :)
They are fitted with IPD lowering springs for now, if I don't like the ride back to stock.
 
kyote said:
Found a set of Good Used DeCarbons in the shed that I had forgotten about :)
They are fitted with IPD lowering springs for now, if I don't like the ride back to stock.
Click to expand...

Hopefully this comfort mobile is older and has struts with the removable spacer. I think the welded spacer started around 88-89. I've had an 89 and 90 models that had welded in spacers.

I like the decarbons a lot for the combo of comfort with handling. They were just so damn expensive even back in the day you would buy bilsteins or konis for less.
 
Yes, tis an 83. Strut housings were ****ed, no idea what year the new ones are, but they are not of the skinny early wheel bearing variety so good enough.
Having issues finding a rebuilt caliper, hope to have back on the road this weekend and will make a comfort update.
 
So IPD lowering springs with the Decarbons? That should be firm but comfortable. Won't be harsh if you are using a 205/60 tire as well. I like the slightly taller sidewall of the 205/60 for a bit more comfort than the stock 195/60. That is a 15" tire.

More comfort than that I go down to 14" wheels with a 195/65. Good for comfort and handling. Also a good 15" size now that I think about it. New comfort for the new year. :cool:
 
215 55 16 actually, had bought them for my (turned out to be bent) TSW Hockenheim Rs in 16x7.5. Not ideal on these Hydras, but t hey were already bought and just sitting. I like 205/60R15 for comfort, have them on my 15's on my 244. Helps keep the rims straight on these hellacious HTOWN streets.
 
I'd get a hold of a set of GAZs from Josh. Other than typical coilover NVH my 450/200 setup is about as crashy and harsh as a stocky stock 240 with stocky stock suspension. I can only imagine the improvement with them valved to suit stock springs on the slightly overdamped end of things.
 
If you are gonna go very affordable. I would get the yellow swedish auto parts shocks. Less than a buck for four shocks that should do the job for awhile is great.
 
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