Any 900 series buffs here?
Discussion
From a thread earlier today it got me thinking about 960's... and 940's.
It's just a passing fancy and nothing serious, we did actually have a 960 a long time back. Think it was a 4 pot auto though.
I've read Wiki and a few Google linked articles/sites. But I'm curious to know a little more.
Wiki says in 94/95 the 960 received a new multi link rear suspension and transverse leaf spring. What did it use before this setup when the 960 was launched?
I'm also curious what axle and suspension setup the 940's use. Were these IRS or some form of live axle?
And was the 960 3.0 six ever offered with a manual gearbox?
It's just a passing fancy and nothing serious, we did actually have a 960 a long time back. Think it was a 4 pot auto though.
I've read Wiki and a few Google linked articles/sites. But I'm curious to know a little more.
Wiki says in 94/95 the 960 received a new multi link rear suspension and transverse leaf spring. What did it use before this setup when the 960 was launched?
I'm also curious what axle and suspension setup the 940's use. Were these IRS or some form of live axle?
And was the 960 3.0 six ever offered with a manual gearbox?
I think all 900 series run live rear axles with the rear suspension set up used on the 760 volvo which is an independent multi-link set up with trailing arms. The 940 always ran with red block 4 cylinders mostly turbo charged, some even had the ultra rare 16v B234f lump.
960's were all 6 cylinder in either 2.5 or 3.0 displacement manual or automatic although some very early models ran the legendary B230Ft 2.3 high pressure turbo (someone on here had one ages ago) but these are extremely rare. The manual ran the M90 box - popular with customisers fitting T5 motors to earlier cars as it allows the T5 to be hooked up to a propshaft.
The 6 cylinder B6254 and B6304 are basically the same engine as the exceptional 5 cylinder modular engine fitted to the 850 and various other volvos since, effectively with an extra cylinder (the S40's engine is a 4 cylinder version)
Whilst it is essentially a decent engine, early models are prone to eating cambelts and several modifications were made over the years to improve on the problem. It was never quite as good as the 5 cylinder version in my opinion but did go on to be fitted in the S80 T6 in B6294T guise with twin turbo chargers and 280bhp (That would be fun in a 960!) This engine is cheaply available as S80's are largely worthless these days. The 850's T5 fits under the bonnet too with minimal work and these are more readily available and can easily be tuned to produce 250-300bhp with relative ease
Always been an 850 fan myself but I have to admit a late 960 or S90 does have serious road presence these days
960's were all 6 cylinder in either 2.5 or 3.0 displacement manual or automatic although some very early models ran the legendary B230Ft 2.3 high pressure turbo (someone on here had one ages ago) but these are extremely rare. The manual ran the M90 box - popular with customisers fitting T5 motors to earlier cars as it allows the T5 to be hooked up to a propshaft.
The 6 cylinder B6254 and B6304 are basically the same engine as the exceptional 5 cylinder modular engine fitted to the 850 and various other volvos since, effectively with an extra cylinder (the S40's engine is a 4 cylinder version)
Whilst it is essentially a decent engine, early models are prone to eating cambelts and several modifications were made over the years to improve on the problem. It was never quite as good as the 5 cylinder version in my opinion but did go on to be fitted in the S80 T6 in B6294T guise with twin turbo chargers and 280bhp (That would be fun in a 960!) This engine is cheaply available as S80's are largely worthless these days. The 850's T5 fits under the bonnet too with minimal work and these are more readily available and can easily be tuned to produce 250-300bhp with relative ease
Always been an 850 fan myself but I have to admit a late 960 or S90 does have serious road presence these days
My mate has a 1998 960, it has a plastic composite transverse leaf spring at the rear.
He has owned it for many years and it has been very reliable, build quality is superb, most components are still the originals. Bodywork is corrosion free, even the stone chips have not rusted, I don't think cars will ever be made with this kind of integrity again because of emissions/weight saving/cost cutting etc.
Thinking back, over 12 years I think all that has been replaced is an air-con compressor, a heater fan, front springs and a fuel level sensor, not bad for nearly 200K miles.
He has owned it for many years and it has been very reliable, build quality is superb, most components are still the originals. Bodywork is corrosion free, even the stone chips have not rusted, I don't think cars will ever be made with this kind of integrity again because of emissions/weight saving/cost cutting etc.
Thinking back, over 12 years I think all that has been replaced is an air-con compressor, a heater fan, front springs and a fuel level sensor, not bad for nearly 200K miles.
The_Burg said:
Leaf springs? 740 was definitely coils. I had a 740 2.3 on a C plate and it was coils all round. It was pre release in UK one too.
Had a 144 too, don't remember that being leafs. 340 / 60 series was.
300 series ran leaf springs but none of the others were from the 240 onwards - the 740 ran an interesting set up of volvos own design with a live axle, coil springs and torque rods above and below the axle - it's what makes them an excellent tow car - the 760 ran an independent rear end on coils but retained the favoured live axle for good traction Had a 144 too, don't remember that being leafs. 340 / 60 series was.
morgrp said:
the 760 ran an independent rear end on coils but retained the favoured live axle for good traction
morgrp said:
I think all 900 series run live rear axles with the rear suspension set up used on the 760 volvo which is an independent multi-link set up with trailing arms.
Many thanks for the info, although I'm feeling slightly confused. You've twice said they are independent and live in the same sentence. It can't be both to my mind 
All 940's AFAIK were coils springs with live axle. Some (rare) were LSD.
Majority were Nivomat rear shocks which are self levelling until they eventually leak. Even then they are pretty good. Also pretty expensive to replace which is why people swop over to Bilsteins then wonder why they are dragging their arse along the ground. Replacement shocks need uprated springs.
There was an alternative rear end (I think for the 960s), still live axle but different linkage but majority coils, nivos and live axle with a pressed steel trailing arm that holds the spring seat and shock mount.
Majority were Nivomat rear shocks which are self levelling until they eventually leak. Even then they are pretty good. Also pretty expensive to replace which is why people swop over to Bilsteins then wonder why they are dragging their arse along the ground. Replacement shocks need uprated springs.
There was an alternative rear end (I think for the 960s), still live axle but different linkage but majority coils, nivos and live axle with a pressed steel trailing arm that holds the spring seat and shock mount.
300bhp/ton said:
morgrp said:
the 760 ran an independent rear end on coils but retained the favoured live axle for good traction
morgrp said:
I think all 900 series run live rear axles with the rear suspension set up used on the 760 volvo which is an independent multi-link set up with trailing arms.
Many thanks for the info, although I'm feeling slightly confused. You've twice said they are independent and live in the same sentence. It can't be both to my mind Should look like this (or similar) on a 900:
This the torque rod live set up from the early 760 and 740:
Looking in one of my data books though there is a pic of a "900 series solid axle set up" i.e. a live set up support with trailing arms. Not sure which models had this - best guess some 940 models - certainly all late model (95-onwards) 960's were multilink
Edited by morgrp on Saturday 9th November 01:32
I have a 1996 960 2.9 estate with that beautiful straight six motor, and the facelift front end. The autobox is so smooth, sport mode is very useful too. I have had it for over 10 years now, my best car ever. The late models came fully loaded, and every gismo still works. The leather drivers seat needs a refurb, but the rest are mint. The built quality is just the best. I use it as my long distance dog carrier. The only gripe is the lack of legroom in the back...........but I sit in the front. Not many cars offer the large useable boot designed for two big dogs. 25mpg everywhere however you drive it, not good by todays standards, but hey, I wouldn't drive a 90mpg Eurobox anyway...........
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