2007 V8 XC90 Bilstein shocks and new bad handling issues!

Hi everyone,

I am a new member with my first post here. Thanks in advance!

I just bought a 2007/8 V8 XC90 and I did some repairs and upgrades straight away as I could feel a lot of issues as I bought sight unseen:(

-Issues were namely a bad shudder in the transmission when trying to remain smooth in power application and changing road inclines. Bad SHUDDDER! also front end felt a bit lose and the engine sloppy. few creeks and knocks from the front suspension.

Repairs/Replacements
-Replaced all engine and gearbox mounts with factory Volvo parts(5peices), top mount, 2 main engine centre, lower engine left side (when standing in front of the car looking into bonnet) and front gear box lower right.
-New strut mounts and pads.
-New H6 Bilstein front shocks
-Lower ball joints
-new control arms and bushes

I have flushed the gearbox with the correct fluids and it is getting much better will do again very soon to fix what I think was incorrect fluid in there.

The biggest issue now and remaining is poor handling. Acceleration and braking, or rough roads sees car twist and twitch all over the road, really unnerving. You can feel front wheels fighting each other and not running true. Have had wheel alignment done 3 times now, after the second one I also replaced swab bar links.

To me, it looks like there is significant positive camber and the car definitely sits a lot higher than before.

Thinking it is the shocks not being standard? and the higher ride causing positive camber and poor, scary handling.

Has anyone else had experience with these shocks and can you think why this could be as they were recommended and sold to me by IDPUSA?

The only other possible causes I could think of are control arms, non-Volvo part could be a poor rubber compound(Machter brand) causing too much movement and misaligning wheels under stress and finally, front springs may not be OEM parts, not sure but was suggested they are not by Volvo specialist? But this was not a problem before and I didn't change springs.

Look forward to hearing any thoughts and ideas.

And many thanks,

Regards Zev,
Sydney Australia(Yes we drive on the wrong side of the road)

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Originally Posted by Zev

Hi everyone,



The biggest issue now and remaining is poor handling. Acceleration and braking, or rough roads sees car twist and twitch all over the road, really unnerving. You can feel front wheels fighting each other and not running true. Have had wheel alignment done 3 times now, after the second one I also replaced swab bar links.

To me, it looks like there is significant positive camber and the car definitely sits a lot higher than before.

Thinking it is the shocks not being standard? and the higher ride causing positive camber and poor, scary handling.

Has anyone else had experience with these shocks and can you think why this could be as they were recommended and sold to me by IDPUSA?

The only other possible causes I could think of are control arms, non-Volvo part could be a poor rubber compound(Machter brand) causing too much movement and misaligning wheels under stress and finally, front springs may not be OEM parts, not sure but was suggested they are not by Volvo specialist? But this was not a problem before and I didn't change springs.

Look forward to hearing any thoughts and ideas.

And many thanks,

Regards Zev,
Sydney Australia(Yes we drive on the wrong side of the road)

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I had a lot of trouble with directional stability and a slight fade to the left when braking after replacing LCA bushings. I mounted a GoPro under the car and observed the LCA's moving excessively, so I changed front bushings to another maker. No improvement. Changed fronts again to Powerflex PU. No change again. Changed rear front LCA bushings to Powerflxc, and all healed. I examined the displaced brand-new rear bushings and saw that there was a major difference in the amount of rubber and it's placement from one to the other. Both were the same brand & PN. From a trusted vendor. Had I looked at them side-by-side before installing them; I would have seen it and never used them.
Moral of the story is that it's the rear bush in the front LCA that has the most impact on stability. Found that little gem in an obscure post in a thread on Swedespeed.
Your alignment report should provide camber?

HI Capndirk,
Thanks for that, I did the GoPro as well and they looked spungy to say the least. I did forget about camber issue. The new shocks and current springs are definitely making it sit high, an inch or so and the camber is neutral to positive. EG. When I start to do U-turn, the steering will drag into the turn not open up when you let go of wheel, it is awful and my tires are scrubbing out on the outer edges.

What brand are the lower suspension components?

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"What brand are the lower suspension components?"

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It's best to know about them for future references.