AWD: 70: Rear Nivomat Replacement on V70 AWD

[RWD]

Whilst replacing my duff turbo on Monday I noticed a patch of oil at the rear of the car, which turned out to be the OSR Nivomat! I know these aren't a cheap item to replace, so my options are

1 Replace the Nivomats with new (not happening without a lottery win!)
2 Replace with secondhand (possible, but depends on getting a good old unit)
3 Replace the shocks, springs and mounts with a standard kit. (Possible, but want to keep self levelling if possible)

4 Replace with Monroe Ride-Leveller (Most preferred option as I can get the kit for around the same price as 'normal' suspension components, yet keep an element of self levelling)

I decided on option 4, ordered the kit on the basis I can return if needed.

All looks good, the only snag is that the bottom of the Monroe shock is a standard fitting, whereas the AWD Nivomat is not! (this was despite assurances from our supplier that this kit fits the AWD, after asking more than once!)

Anyhow, here are a couple of piccies showing the difference.


The New Monroe Shock


Monroe bottom mount


Monroe bottom mount


Volvo Nivomat shock - note different mount in top right of pic

So, at the mo, I have two ideas. Firstly, try to swap the mount off the old Nivomat on to the new Monroe shock, but obviously if I bust it I have no suspension!

Or secondly, make a mount to fit the Monroe shock. I have access to a mate with a lathe, so was thinking of making a pin to slide into the bottom eye, drilled at both ends to fit the original AWD fitting, the shock is already bushed, so an almost interference fit should work i think? You can see the mount in the following pic (No.4)



If anyone has any ideas/hints/tips please shout up

[rogerb]

Hi,
Befor you chop up the old one check the closed and open length of each shock to see if they are the same.As they work on two compleatly diffrent types of supension.

regeards Rogerb

[Lmason]

from my experience, i have found that alot of non genuine volvo parts are listed wrong in their catalogues, for example, when i have ordered front wish bones for my t5, they always send the other type, cos they have them listed wrong in their copy pattern parts books. for the front wishbones for mine there are two types of fitting, maybe theyve made the same mistake with the rear ones too.

your best bet is to take one of your old ones in to where you got the monroe ones and show them it, my guess is that there is two types and theyve given you the other type.

[JimDay]

Hi RWD out of curiosty where did you get the Monroes from & at what cost, I was looking for a set last year but couldn't find any at the time so fitted std shocks with heavy duty springs.

EDIT :- That Nivomat looks very similar to the ones I had on my 4x4 Sierra estate I replaced one with a new shock but eventually changed to heavy duty springs & monroe load levellers but the monroes were not adjustable like the one in your picture anyway I still have the Nivomats in the shed let me have some dimensions you never know they might be the same

[440-Turbo]

What part number Volvo shock do you need?

I have a nearly new one with the green stripe on it

[Alan M]

If you do have access to machining facilities you can make a new bar to match the OE shock as you said an interference fit but it must be pressed in, in the same position as the old one. If its out even slightly it can make the rubber around it deteriorate to fast and fail. As above though check to see if the shock is the same length as the removed item.