Suspension: Nivomat part number

[Luxobarge]

Originally Posted by Iceonfire

Someone has some listed on eBay, showing part numbers. Not sure if these are the same as yours.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/266212738...mis&media=COPY

Oooh, close, but a different part number. Judging by the rubber thingy at the top and the cross-piece through the bush at the bottom I'd guess they are for an AWD variant, so not right for mine. Good spot though, and thanks for letting me know

[bob12]

To see the numbers stamped on the piston cylinder you'll likely have to clean off the factory spray underseal and use a wire brush about the place. It should be there somewhere once cleaned off. Blue paint is a good indicator of Sach! Bob

[Luxobarge]

Originally Posted by bob12

To see the numbers stamped on the piston cylinder you'll likely have to clean off the factory spray underseal and use a wire brush about the place. It should be there somewhere once cleaned off. Blue paint is a good indicator of Sach! Bob

Nah, trust me Bob, they're that covered in rust that there's no chance. I wanted to give it a basic clean up to see what's what under the crud, and most of the rust had to be chipped off with a hammer - any stamped markings are long gone I'm afraid. However, with help from others on here via PM and e-mail I've solved the part number thing anyway, plus I have a usable (probably) pair of shocks on their way to me, so the issue is all solved - hopefully!

Cheers

[Luxobarge]

OK, so just to close this off, the update is that unfortunately one of the 2nd-hand Nivomats I was kindly sent by another member leaked really badly when fitted to the car - a PITA as I'd spent a lot of time cleaning, de-rusting and painting them, to no avail. I looked hard for another second-hand one but couldn't find one of the right part number, so in the end I bit the bullet and ordered a new pair from FRF - very painful though, just shy of £800 delivered!

However, arrived today, fitted and all working lovely, I'd say the ride quality is probably a bit better than before, it's certainly very quiet, and the ride height is very slightly higher than before because I think the old ones were saggging slightly. Anyway, expensive but should last the rest of the car's life and more probably.

So, what have I learned?

1) If the gaiters are shot, replace them immediately, if you leave it until the seals wear and they leak, it's expensive, as I found out 'cos I'm an idiot.
2) The correct part number for a FWD car with factory lowered suspension is 8626030 (Mine's a T5 and has the lowered suspension)
3) The part number for the standard ride height Nivomat is 8626027 or 8626028, not quite sure which.
4) The difference between the standard and factory lowered shock absorber is that the factory lowered version is overall 9mm shorter than the standard item, I don't know if there are any other differences, probably not.
5) The part number for the rubber gaiter/bellows is 1387105
6) They're actually quite easy to change, it helps a lot to have a decent scissor jack as well as a normal trolley jack, so you can adjust the height of the suspension to make it easy to fit them back in the car. Worth watching Robert DIY's video first though, as with so many jobs you haven't done before!
7) It's quite easy to get the lower bush eye off the shock absorber in order to replace the bellows, I used a pair of thin plumber's grips, thin enough so that the grip marks on the shaft are below the swept area of the shock absorber seals.
8) Folk on here are really helpful and generous, especial mention and thanks go to SteveSarre and Tweedle12. Actually, I haven't just learned this, I already knew it.

Now to book the MoT!

Cheers all

[SteveSarre]

Hi all,

The 8626028 is for FWD (without lowered suspension).
The 8626027 is for AWD (has a cross rod bottom attachment).

HTH
Steve

[Tweedle12]

Originally Posted by Luxobarge

OK, so just to close this off, the update is that unfortunately one of the 2nd-hand Nivomats I was kindly sent by another member leaked really badly when fitted to the car - a PITA as I'd spent a lot of time cleaning, de-rusting and painting them, to no avail. I looked hard for another second-hand one but couldn't find one of the right part number, so in the end I bit the bullet and ordered a new pair from FRF - very painful though, just shy of £800 delivered!

However, arrived today, fitted and all working lovely, I'd say the ride quality is probably a bit better than before, it's certainly very quiet, and the ride height is very slightly higher than before because I think the old ones were saggging slightly. Anyway, expensive but should last the rest of the car's life and more probably.

So, what have I learned?

1) If the gaiters are shot, replace them immediately, if you leave it until the seals wear and they leak, it's expensive, as I found out 'cos I'm an idiot.
2) The correct part number for a FWD car with factory lowered suspension is 8626030 (Mine's a T5 and has the lowered suspension)
3) The part number for the standard ride height Nivomat is 8626027 or 8626028, not quite sure which.
4) The difference between the standard and factory lowered shock absorber is that the factory lowered version is overall 9mm shorter than the standard item, I don't know if there are any other differences, probably not.
5) The part number for the rubber gaiter/bellows is 1387105
6) They're actually quite easy to change, it helps a lot to have a decent scissor jack as well as a normal trolley jack, so you can adjust the height of the suspension to make it easy to fit them back in the car. Worth watching Robert DIY's video first though, as with so many jobs you haven't done before!
7) It's quite easy to get the lower bush eye off the shock absorber in order to replace the bellows, I used a pair of thin plumber's grips, thin enough so that the grip marks on the shaft are below the swept area of the shock absorber seals.
8) Folk on here are really helpful and generous, especial mention and thanks go to SteveSarre and Tweedle12. Actually, I haven't just learned this, I already knew it.

Now to book the MoT!

Cheers all

I am glad you got sorted - albeit with a hefty bill for new Nivomats - still worth it in my opinion.

Did you manage to establish the overall difference in ride height and spring settings between the standard and factory lowered T5 chassis for FWD?

[Luxobarge]

Originally Posted by Tweedle12

Did you manage to establish the overall difference in ride height and spring settings between the standard and factory lowered T5 chassis for FWD?

Not accurately, no. However, as noted in "things I learned #4" the overall length of the shock absorber is 9mm shorter on the factory lowered version. Given that the attachment point of the lower eye of the shock is well inboard (i.e. forward) of the wheel axle, I reckon this translates into about 20-25mm difference in height at the wheel - I can't be precise, but it's around an inch or maybe slightly less. Which is a fair bit I'd say, so actually I'm glad I didn't compromise and go for the higher ride, and as you've already mentioned to me strictly I'd need to change the springs for the longer versions to do that too.