Polo G40 vs Volvo 360 front shocks

Post by **meintag** » 13 Feb 2008 08:57 pm

Hi all !

Before to buy the 360, I had a Polo G40, and some days ago, taking a look in my garage I found a pair of Bilstein inserts for G40.

WTF ! This insert looks like 360 ones !

I've taken some pics to show the differences and asking for your opinion if they can fit a 360 strut or not. Here the pics:

Differences in the insert diameter at the top side.

Differences between lenght of the body. 2mm or so

I don't know the word in english, but the metal that goes inside the shock ( Vástago in spanish ), It's a bit shorter in the Polo ones, and they have more travelling in compression, better with lowering springs I think...

What do you think guys ? It will fit ?

Greetings from Spain !

Post by **Ozbrick** » 14 Feb 2008 12:24 am

It's a possibility they may fit if the mountings are right.

I also found that the front shocks are identical to a 1995 Mazda 121 shock, KYB do an insert for them.

Mazdaspeed 360 here I come!!

P.S. Good luck with the polo inserts!!!

Post by **classicswede** » 14 Feb 2008 01:58 pm

The problem you will have is the stem (threaded part at the top) will not go far enough through the rubber mounting at the top to put a nut on.

It could be worth a go to see if it will fit into the casing

Post by **meintag** » 14 Feb 2008 05:46 pm

The stem would be machined with no problems

Somebody with a strut out of the car can measure the top to see if there is 45mm of diameter ?

Thanks !!

Post by **dalahare** » 14 Feb 2008 06:21 pm

Basically, nothing is the same, and some things are similar, i think you will find hundreds of shocks that fit that discription.

Post by **dalahare** » 14 Feb 2008 06:27 pm

And Ozbrik, i think the 121 shocks you are thinking of is the one from the 70s

Not the one from the 90s

I've got new shocks from the 70's model sitting in the shed and they look very similar to maintags photos.

Post by **Ozbrick** » 14 Feb 2008 11:53 pm

Yep your right, 76-79, RX-5/121/121L shocks

Post by **IvanAE86** » 15 Feb 2008 09:20 am

The valving would totally suck on G40 dampers.. in a 360, about 2/3's of the cars weight is on the front wheels.. (at least, that's how it feels after you've stripped one from all interior bits). This kind of weight needs suitable damping. The 70's 121 might come closer to the 360's weight, but I dont see how parts for an obscure 70's japanese car can offer advantages over volvo 360 specific stuff.

Post by **hatch360** » 15 Feb 2008 09:36 am

Ozbrick wrote:Yep your right, 76-79, RX-5/121/121L shocks

lol i bought the ones of ebay i thought it was for the newer 121's to

Post by **classicswede** » 15 Feb 2008 02:13 pm

meintag wrote:The stem would be machined with no problems

Somebody with a strut out of the car can measure the top to see if there is 45mm of diameter ?

Thanks !!

I'll have a measure for you. I've got a feeling they are tight ish as it is.

Post by **Frits** » 17 Feb 2008 11:06 am

Look what I found, they look like volvo300 rears:

http://link.marktplaats.nl/142501001

Post by **Ronnie** » 17 Feb 2008 11:31 am

They look shorter to me. It's been said the Giulia rear shocks are very similar to the 300

Post by **Chris_C** » 17 Feb 2008 01:47 pm

German ebay has some interesting ones atm

Fronts and rears.

Post by **meintag** » 17 Feb 2008 02:00 pm

Chris_C wrote:German ebay has some interesting ones atm Fronts and rears.

Thanks Chris !

I need the front ones

Do you know who made them ? Bilstein ? Sachs ?

Greetz from Spain !

Post by **Chris_C** » 17 Feb 2008 07:57 pm

They are B14 r-sport ones

I wasn't going to post the link incase anyone had spotted them, but I can do as I know you'd put them to good use!

I just noticed they finished an hour ago... but luckily I also noted who's the highest bidder

Nice one buddy.