Seat-Suspension, Original Equipment All Metal

First Published Aug 2022, R. Kwas  [Comments added]

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Late (injected) chassis of the 1800 (and the 140 series) went to an all-metal seat suspension from the factory.  These suspensions are made of (high carbon) springsteel, so they are not similarly susceptible to deteriorate as the organic Pirelli bands.  Its somewhat rare, but I have seen individual wires of these all metal suspensions corrode and also fail. [...possibly due to too many second burritos!?!]  In this situation, the individual broken wires can be replaced as a repair. 

I don't have an exact chassis number where the change-over from Pirelli Band to metal wires occurred.  I expect it was concurrent with the change to injection on the 1800 models, but simply unsnapping the cushion under the front, and lifting it to see below, will allow verifying which suspension is present.  The all-metal factory suspension of an ES is shown below.  Some surface rust on wires is evident.  [...possibly suggesting owner doesn't order the second burrito too often...!]   

Reference picture of the later all/(mostly!) metal Seat Suspension by S. Pittleman, shown with his kind permission.

Picture of an all metal Seat Suspension from a later injected/'72 ES (some of the wires are wrapped in a paper, but this is not critical to the structure which is indeed all-metal).  Screws of two front cushion securing snaps are visible at Yellow...access to unsnap them is from in front and below of seat cushion! 

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External material sources are attributed.  Otherwise, this article is Copyright © 2022.  Ronald Kwas.   The terms Volvo is used for reference only.  I have no affiliation with this company other than to keep its products working for me, help other enthusiasts do the same, and also present my highly opinionated results of the use of their products here.  The information presented comes from my own experience and carefully considered opinion, and can be used (or not!), or ridiculed and laughed at, or worshipped, at the readers discretion.  As with any recipe, your results may vary, and you are, and will always be, in charge of your own knuckles, and future! 

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