The Volvo 160 Series, specifically the Volvo 164, was Volvo's first inline-six cylinder car of the modern post-war era, produced from 1968 to 1975. Approximately 146,000 were built over the seven-year run, making it Volvo's flagship luxury sedan during that period. The 164 was a sister vehicle to the famous Volvo 140 series (4-cylinder sedans) but with a longer front clip housing the 3.0L B30 inline-6 engine, plus premium trim including optional leather seats, air conditioning, power steering, and overdrive transmission. The 164 competed in the luxury sedan market against Mercedes 250, BMW 2500/2800, and Jaguar XJ6.
The 164 used a double-wishbone front suspension design with coil springs and separate shock absorbers, technically not a MacPherson strut design (which would integrate the spring and shock into a single load-bearing strut). However, the term 'struts assembly' is commonly used for the complete coil-over-shock front suspension assembly sold for 164 restoration, since the assembly includes both the spring and shock together in a single unit ready to install. Replacing the complete assembly as a unit is the most common approach to refreshing the front suspension during full restoration.
After 50+ years of service, virtually no original 164 front suspension components remain in serviceable condition. Common failures include: shock absorber seal leak (oil visible on shock body), coil spring sag from decades of compression cycles (car sits low or unevenly), top mount bushing deterioration causing knocking sounds, body rust at spring perch and shock mounting points, lower control arm bushing deterioration, and ride quality complaints including bouncing, wallowing, or harsh impacts.
Volvo 164 restoration enthusiasts typically refresh the complete front suspension as a unit rather than piecing together individual components, since the work effort to access the suspension is significant and labor cost dominates over parts cost. Our coil-over-shock assembly at $189 each saves both time and money compared to sourcing original Volvo parts (no longer available new) or specialty reproductions ($250 to $400 each). Original specification damping and spring rates preserve the classic 164 ride character that defined Volvo luxury motoring in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Complete Coil-Over-Shock Assembly (this product) | Pre-assembled with shock, coil spring, upper and lower perches, dust boot, bump stop. Ready to install. Best for full restoration when refreshing both front corners. Saves assembly labor time. |
| Individual Shock Absorbers Only | Just the shock absorber, you reuse your existing coil springs and perches. Lower cost ($79 each) but more labor to disassemble and reassemble suspension. Better if your coil springs are still in good condition. |
| Individual Coil Springs Only | Just the coil springs to address spring sag. You reuse your existing shocks and perches. Use when shocks are recent but car sits low. Sold as pairs only ($120 pair). |
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| INCLUDED | Complete coil-over-shock assembly: shock absorber, coil spring (correct rate for 164), upper spring perch, lower spring perch, dust boot, bump stop. Pre-assembled and ready to install on the upper control arm to top hat mount and lower control arm pickup point. |
| NOT INCLUDED | Top hat/strut tower mount (reuse original or source separately if cracked), mounting nuts and bolts (reuse originals), lower control arm bushings (separate parts), sway bar links, brake calipers or rotors (all separate parts), wheels. |
| Tools You Need | SAE socket and wrench set (164 uses imperial fasteners on many points), spring compressor (CRITICAL for safe disassembly/assembly if doing individual components), jack and stands, penetrating oil for seized 55+ year-old bolts, torque wrench, floor jack rated for 2,000+ lbs. Most DIYers find this a 4 to 6 hour job per corner. |
The Volvo 160 series struts assembly is compatible with the Volvo 164 classic luxury sedan and its trim variants. Confirm year and trim before ordering.
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Volvo 164 Base (1968 to 1971) | Carburetor inline-6 standard variant |
| Volvo 164 (1968 to 1971) | Twin SU carburetors B30 I6 engine |
| Volvo 164E (1972 to 1975) | Fuel injected (E = Einspritzung German for injection) B30 I6 engine |
| Volvo 164TE (1970, very rare) | Twin-cam experimental variant, extremely rare |
| Volvo 165 Wagon Variant | NOT PRODUCED in series, 165 designation was experimental wagon prototype only |
| Year Cross-Compatibility | Suspension mounting unchanged across 1968 to 1975 production |
| Trim Cross-Compatibility | Base and E variants use same suspension assembly |
NOT compatible with the 140 series 4-cylinder sedans even though closely related (140 uses different front clip length and different spring rates). NOT compatible with Volvo 240/260 series (1974 to 1993) which succeeded the 164 as Volvo's RWD luxury sedan but used completely different front suspension geometry. ALSO NOT a MacPherson strut design despite the 'struts assembly' name, technically a double-wishbone with separate coil-over-shock unit. Call to confirm if your project requires specific authenticity verification.
Not sure if these Volvo 160 series struts fit your 164? Call (240) 301-0095 with your year (1968 to 1975), trim (164 base, 164E, or 164TE), and current suspension condition. Important note: the 164 uses double-wishbone front suspension, not true MacPherson struts despite the product name. Our 'struts assembly' refers to the complete coil-over-shock unit commonly sold under this name for 164 restoration. If you need just shocks or just springs separately, we have those individually too.
These new restoration-specification Volvo 160 series struts assemblies are inspected before shipping. Quality control includes:
Each assembly is labeled with position (front left or front right) and 164 application notes. Classic Volvo 164 restoration is a specialized task and we provide assemblies matching original specifications for authentic luxury 6-cylinder ride character. For modified 164s with non-stock engines or springs, mention modifications at order so we can advise on appropriate spring rate selection.
| Application | Volvo 164 classic luxury inline-6 sedan |
|---|---|
| Year Range | 1968 to 1975 |
| Trim Variants | 164 base, 164E (fuel injected), 164TE |
| Production Total | Approximately 146,000 vehicles produced |
| Engine Compatibility | B30 3.0L Inline-6 (Volvo first post-war I6) |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive (RWD) |
| Front Suspension Design | Double-wishbone with coil springs and separate shocks |
| Important | Not technically MacPherson strut design, "struts assembly" is the coil-over-shock unit |
| Includes | Shock, coil spring, perches, dust boot, bump stop |
| Position | Front (driver or passenger side, pair recommended) |
| Damping | Original 164 specification |
| Spring Rate | Original 164 specification |
| Mounting | Standard 164 double-wishbone mounting dimensions |
| Sold As | Individual or pair (pair recommended for balanced ride) |
| Warranty | 15 day replacement on manufacturing defects |
| Shipping | Free UPS or FedEx Ground to all 50 states (heavy item, 5 to 10 days) |
To file a claim, contact us within 15 days of delivery at (240) 301-0095 or support@vazautosolutions.com with the original order number, photos of the installed assembly, and a description of the defect. We process most warranty replacements within 48 hours.
