Nivomats

[monty400k]

Is there a source for replacement Nivomats to suit mk2 960s, mine are shot, I've tried Gaz coilovers in their place but they rattle and creak and although I've tried lots of different springs with helpers I can't seem to get them to work?

[classicswede]

I get no noise from mine - only done about 20,000 miles on them so far

I'm running at full height with a single spring and no slack, just a tiny amount of pre load in a 400lbs 9inch spring.

Are you running factory ride height or lowered?

[bob12]

Yes, direct from Volvo. You will possible get the best price at FRF, but they ain't cheap. They come with new springs and bump stops. Bob

[Forrest]

Looks as though Skandix have them too. Worth comparing prices. I got some for a 940 from Skandix last year and they arrived same week from Germany.

http://www.skandix.de/en/spare-parts...vomat/1004651/

[bob12]

I forgot to say that with Nivos you don't have to replace them as a pair as long as one is working OK and not leaking. You can also get new rubber gaiters - the bottom bushing unscrews from the piston and allows a new gaiter to be slipped on easily over the piston. Bob.

[jpliddy]

hi i have replaced single nivomats on my car . so good point . is it a big job to swop the gaiter ?

[bob12]

Originally Posted by jpliddy

..... . is it a big job to swop the gaiter ?

No is isn't, but you will need a very substantial vice (or something else) with soft aluminum secondary jaws that fits over the steel jaws to hold the piston efficiently. The secondary jaws stop any risk of damage to the chrome (or whatever the finish is) to the piston as you will need a considerable turning force/leverage on the bushing to get it to release/turn initially. You will think that it will not unscrew .... but it will!!

The thread is a usual right handed one, but Sach put a locking compound on the thread. It is best to wire brush carefully the area around the bushing/piston connection to clean it up and spray it with a good release oil for a day or two before you start. Before you screw the lower bush back on you should be able to spin the bushing easily all the way up and down the thread on the piston by hand.

Other than that, and cleaning up the thread before re-fitting, there is nothing to it except getting gaiters from Volvo, and putting some thread lock on before you finally re-attach the lower bushing.

Bob

[jpliddy]

hi bob woud you have any photos .regards jim

[bob12]

Ah ... yes, I have ... but they are limited as it is yet another job unfinished!! A complete set of photos would complete an earlier thread of mine of about July last year (2018) when I first investigated and embarked on this particular exercise. Currently, deep down on my work bench (Dave will approve!!) I have a couple of Nivos minus bottom bushings both more or less ready to be put together!!

At that time of my original thread the 745 was coming up for its MOT and I knew that one Nivo had been dodgy for a few years and had been 'dealing' with it! I had acquired a very good pair that only needed new gaiters. In anticipation of a red marker, I had new gaiters ready and had got the lower bushings off and cleaned up prior to giving the 'cylinders' a spray paint and slipping on new gaiters to finish the job by screwing back the lower bushings.

However, the car passed its MOT, and so time and the vagaries of life meant that the job and completion was put on the back burner. Consequently the easy bit of spray painting the 'cylinder'/slipping on the gaiter and screwing up the bottom bushing still needs to be completed!! I guess that I will do it shortly before August this year!!

As Dave might recall my large vice and some green poly(something) vice grips I bought were not up to the job of holding the piston in place. Luckily I know a man who has a very capable private workshop where we removed the bushings in his mammoth vice with a not inconsiderable lever on the end of a not inconsiderable Stilson on the bushing. Once we had done one the other was a doddle!!

Sorry, so no more photos as yet other than the ends of two Nivos with the bushings off and all cleaned up ready to put together!! However, what I have said is the way to replace a gaiter on a Nivo.

Bob

[Forrest]

There are some pictures that give an idea of what’s involved on a rival US Volvo site.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/fo...ic.php?t=72387