'07 XC70 harsh ride?

[madbill683]

I’m puzzled as to why I have such a harsh ride in my ’07 XC70. I feel every bump in the road, but we do have lousy roads here in Tidewater. I have 80,000 miles on the car now, replaced struts and shocks, all stock, IPD HD spring seats, new strut mount bearings, all at 72,000 miles. Tires are Michelin Latitude Tour HP (H-rated, stock size), and have 22,000 miles on them, have been rotated. New sway bar end links. New upper stabilizer mount, new strut bar braces, too. Tire pressure kept at 36 psi.

Would lower control arms do this? Tire pressure too high? I do not have abnormal tire wear. Do all XCs ride harsh?


Bill

[IVIUSTANG]

I have 170,000 miles on my stock control arms, balljoints and struts; and even with stiffer lift springs my XC stills rides pretty nice. I also keep my tire pressure at 40 PSI. I don't think all XC70s ride harsh.

Jesse

[JRL]

40 lbs is WAY too much tire pressure

[boosted12a]

not sure about your 07 but the 08 up have a very plush ride. my 05 S80 needed control arm bushings at about 80K and that did make the ride smoother. I have a little over 100k on it now and it is getting close to time for new struts and shocks.

[JRL]

Different car

To the OP, have the LCA bushings checked, they seem to be the only thing left you haven't replaced.
With stock 16" wheels and tires you really should not have a rough ride.

A simple question, what tire gauge are you using.
All these tire gauges are notorious for being off and if your 36 is really 38 (or more) that alone could be one of your problems!
Try dropping them down to 34 on your gauge and see how it feels.
But whatever you do pressure wise always use the same gauge.

I had a gauge for years that I really liked.
I just like the way it felt and I liked the big dial face but I also knew it was over 3 lbs off so I "adjusted" my pressure accordingly.
(I finally replaced it with an expensive gauge)

[madbill683]

Thanks JRL. I have two decent digital gauges, and they are close; but I will try 34 psi. During the last 4 wheel alignment, the shop told me some numbers were slightly out of spec, and that they had seen that with lower control arms on these cars. I guess I just can't believe they affect the ride that much. I've looked at the bushings, they do not appear cracked.

BTW, I test drove an '08 before I found mu '07, and thought it rode pretty nice.

Guess I'll be replacing LCAs!

Bill

[skibo]

Is the Volvo new to you, or do you have another car that you ride in regularly?

Ride comfort is a very subjective thing. Compared to my Olds Regency, the Volvo rides like a buck-board.

[JRL]

You never answered, 16" wheels or 17"?
Makes a HUGE difference

Also I have to agree with the above poster, my "classic" 1994 Lincoln, with old 15" wheels and tires, in general rides 1000 times smoother than my XC70 and this is with a stiffer suspension than stock... (coilovers have replaced the airbag suspension) and BTW is for sale if anyone wants a cheap, lovely cruiser that's 100% perfect and will win its class in any car show entered!

Under $5000 (cheap plug in your thread, sorry).

http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww329/JRL1194/1994%20LINCOLN%20CONTINENTAL/IMG_4945.jpg (http://s732.photobucket.com/user/JRL1194/media/1994%20LINCOLN%20CONTINENTAL/IMG_4945.jpg.html)

[madbill683]

JRL, Sorry - I have the 16 inch rims. Want to keep everything stock. Great looking Lincoln, BTW.

Skibo - actually have had this XC since Jan 2011. Great car, really, have had in all types of weather, through the ice and snow last winter, and up forest service roads in western VA. Have kept up on the fluid changes to stay out of trouble. My other car is a 98 S70 NA, and I made the mistake of installing Bilstein TC struts and shocks. I will probably go back to Sachs soon. There are some days I wish I still had my Olds.

[IVIUSTANG]

40 lbs is WAY too much tire pressure

Maybe so, but the car out handles my old S70 T5 when I put the pressure at 40 PSI, and I have 17" rims and the XC still rides nice!

Jesse