Suspension: - Nivomat rear shockers shock!!

pashtun · Aug 9th, 2013, 22:24

Hi All,
My 54 plate XC90 has failed its MOT on a leaking rear shocker, whihc to my shock the garage has said is a Nivomat self levelling shocker which I didn't realise after 4 years of ownership! Been quoted £400 for one unit!!! AArrgghh!
Does anyone know if you can replace them with standard shockers? The garage has said they cant see any electrical connections from them to the computer etc?? Any help welcomed as want to avoid a huge bill but MOT expires on 16th!!
Thanks all

pookie · Aug 9th, 2013, 23:02

The MOT test you have just failed overrides your previous MOT!
You are driving around without an MOT!!!
Sorry!

Pookie

John_C · Aug 10th, 2013, 09:22

No it doesn't, I thought that too up until a few weeks ago but the current MoT is still valid.

OP you can change to normal shocks but you have to change the springs too and do both sides. This post might help as you could probably recoup a lot of the cost by selling the unused bits.

http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=170605

Clan · Aug 10th, 2013, 09:37

As far as i know all UK XC90's have nivomat It is part of the standard specification and altering that affects handling and insurance , It would be cheaper just to replace the damper ...
You have a Potentialy £50000 car you cant expect the running costs of a Ford Fiesta .
Unfortunate though , these dampers give very little trouble normaly .

poisondart · Aug 10th, 2013, 11:34

Yes, Clan you're right, all XC90s have Nivomat self levelling shocks.

And you're right again, it'll cost what it costs to have 'em fixed. Luxurious, comfortable and safe it is, but the XC90 is not cheap to fix when it goes wrong. It's not a Zafira.

Clan · Aug 10th, 2013, 11:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by poisondart

Yes, Clan you're right, all XC90s have Nivomat self levelling shocks.

And you're right again, it'll cost what it costs to have 'em fixed. Luxurious, comfortable and safe it is, but the XC90 is not cheap to fix when it goes wrong. It's not a Zafira.

I thought so , i can never remember seeing anything other than NIVOMAT on the back of the many XC90 i look under . These are substantial dampers and cost what they cost .....

mikealder · Aug 10th, 2013, 11:48

There are plenty of XC90 listed as breaking on e-bay which might furnish you with a cheaper alternate to new ones - Mike

pashtun · Aug 10th, 2013, 12:35

Thanks all,

Have ordered the upgrade kit from a uk Volvo dealer for £427 for both sides which means that I will have a couple of springs for sale I guess next week that are on it already, any one interested please let me know!
Thanks again!

Just Drive · Aug 10th, 2013, 12:45

"...upgrade kit...." ? Is this an upgrade from original spec?

What did you insurer say about modifying from original spec?

pashtun · Aug 10th, 2013, 12:51

hi,
It's a kit that Volvo sell from their UK dealers that you can upgrade from a non self levelling suspension spec car to a Novimat system, our XC90 has the Novimat system already so am just replacing both shockers with the two in the kit rather than ordering one from Sweden at a quoted cost of £397 for one shocker, as opposed to £427 for the kit that has both shockers and springs apparently, so seems a much better option?
Thanks

Aug 9th, 2013, 22:24	#1
pashtun New Member Last Online: Oct 3rd, 2014 09:25 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Inverness	Nivomat rear shockers shock!! Hi All, My 54 plate XC90 has failed its MOT on a leaking rear shocker, whihc to my shock the garage has said is a Nivomat self levelling shocker which I didn't realise after 4 years of ownership! Been quoted £400 for one unit!!! AArrgghh! Does anyone know if you can replace them with standard shockers? The garage has said they cant see any electrical connections from them to the computer etc?? Any help welcomed as want to avoid a huge bill but MOT expires on 16th!! Thanks all

Aug 9th, 2013, 23:02	#2
pookie Premier Member Last Online: Apr 2nd, 2021 21:13 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Stockport	The MOT test you have just failed overrides your previous MOT! You are driving around without an MOT!!! Sorry! Pookie __________________ Growing old disgracefully

Aug 10th, 2013, 09:37	#4
Clan Experienced Member Last Online: Yesterday 23:54 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: L/H side	As far as i know all UK XC90's have nivomat It is part of the standard specification and altering that affects handling and insurance , It would be cheaper just to replace the damper ... You have a Potentialy £50000 car you cant expect the running costs of a Ford Fiesta . Unfortunate though , these dampers give very little trouble normaly . __________________ My comments are only based on my opinions and vast experience .

Aug 10th, 2013, 11:34	#5
poisondart Well la dee frickin' da Last Online: Mar 31st, 2024 10:19 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Everywhere	Yes, Clan you're right, all XC90s have Nivomat self levelling shocks. And you're right again, it'll cost what it costs to have 'em fixed. Luxurious, comfortable and safe it is, but the XC90 is not cheap to fix when it goes wrong. It's not a Zafira. __________________ Current: 2012 XC90 D5 SE, 2005 XC70 D5 SE & 2003 S60 D5 SE. Past: 2009 XC90 D5 R-Design Premium - Had that for 9 years. 2004 XC90 T6 Exec Steak puns are a rare medium to be done well.

Aug 10th, 2013, 12:35	#8
pashtun New Member Last Online: Oct 3rd, 2014 09:25 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Inverness	Shockers Thanks all, Have ordered the upgrade kit from a uk Volvo dealer for £427 for both sides which means that I will have a couple of springs for sale I guess next week that are on it already, any one interested please let me know! Thanks again!

Aug 10th, 2013, 09:22	#3
John_C Allons-y! Last Online: Jun 8th, 2020 15:32 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Winchester	No it doesn't, I thought that too up until a few weeks ago but the current MoT is still valid. OP you can change to normal shocks but you have to change the springs too and do both sides. This post might help as you could probably recoup a lot of the cost by selling the unused bits. http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=170605

Aug 10th, 2013, 11:48	#7
mikealder VOC Member Last Online: Nov 6th, 2016 10:18 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Blackpool UK	There are plenty of XC90 listed as breaking on e-bay which might furnish you with a cheaper alternate to new ones - Mike

Aug 10th, 2013, 12:45	#9
Just Drive Member Last Online: Feb 7th, 2021 13:43 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Scotland	"...upgrade kit...." ? Is this an upgrade from original spec? What did you insurer say about modifying from original spec?

Aug 10th, 2013, 12:51	#10
pashtun New Member Last Online: Oct 3rd, 2014 09:25 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Inverness	hi, It's a kit that Volvo sell from their UK dealers that you can upgrade from a non self levelling suspension spec car to a Novimat system, our XC90 has the Novimat system already so am just replacing both shockers with the two in the kit rather than ordering one from Sweden at a quoted cost of £397 for one shocker, as opposed to £427 for the kit that has both shockers and springs apparently, so seems a much better option? Thanks

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