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)