Lower my 1965 Volvo Amazon Estate

depends on the gap between the coils/how many coils there are to start with

The standard springs are too soft to be cut really, they're very wallowy on cut springs.

Thanks Omega, very constructive

You'll basically have to use spring compressors, and the windy up type are bad enough with the struts off the car. I recommend you do take the struts out but if you've worked on cars before, you might be able to get away with a friend and some scaffold bar pulling the strut down just far enough so that you can compress the springs and cut them in-situ. I saw this done on a Volvo 940 for literally 10 minute lowering.

But I recommend you do it properly (struts out) if you've not worked on cars much like this before.

Omega... What are you on about dude?



My post was in answer to this. Please stop causing hassle in this poor guy's thread.

You don't need a spring compressor on the amazon! The springs are plenty long enough even when cut, but you will find them very soft and it will ride the front bump stops.

You will need to take out around 2 coils at the front and 2 to 3 at the back. I wouldn't cut this many to start with obviously in case your springs are already quite tired.

.....so have you lowered it yet?

IIRC, the front springs are still under compression even when the suspension is at full drop & on the bumpstops, so care is needed when dismantling. Depending on the year, your lower shock mounts are either one bolt or two bolts per side. Undo those, and also the top nut on the shock that holds it to the crossmember, and then the shock should be free to remove from below. The lower balljoint is probably the easiest part of the suspension to undo in order to get the spring out - with the rest of the car properly supported, support the wishbone with a jack, and then lower it gently once the balljoint is unbolted from the wishbone. Whilst doing this, make sure that the upright is secured properly, so that it doesn't put any strain on the brake hose. I have heard of some people bolting the balljoint to the top of the wishbone (rather than underneath), in order to gain some extra height reduction / restore some suspension travel, but cannot comment on whether that's a good idea or not from an engineering point of view.

Btw, many apologies if you already know the above. Also, if you haven't already seen it, this site may be of use:

www.volvoamazonpictures.se/

All the factory manuals, parts books etc can be downloaded from the documents section.

If you want a specific old volvo forum for detailed and experienced tech advice etc that's specific to these cars, then Turbobricks & the Brickboard in the States or the UK's Volvo Owners Club forum have loads of info. The latter also has quite a few active members from the USA & Canada who own Amazons.

Oh, and lastly, please post up a project / build thread