1997 V70 T5 - Spring options....

[XCR]

Ok, I'm just back from MOT with a fail sheet. Both rear springs are apparently broken and require replacement.
What options do I have ?
Is now a good opportunity to fit a lowering spring kit ?
Any recommendations from those who have done this ?
Do I have Nivomat and how would this affect my choices ?

Any and all help greatly appreciated.....

[SteveSarre]

Hi XCR

You can tell if you have Nivomat by looking at the rear shocks.

Standard rear shocks don't have rubber bellows. Nivomats do.

Check that first and let us know because it will affect what you might want to do with the springs.

Steve

[SteveSarre]

PS

If both your rear springs really are broken (not just corroded), and if you don't have Nivomats then I would expect the car to be riding noticeably low at the back.


If it is not really riding low, you probably do have Nivomats. (But check for the bellows).

Is your car AWD or FWD? What year (in case it makes any difference)?

Steve

[XCR]

Good info, thanks. I've just had a look and compared what I could see with google images of Nivomats and they look the same. The car is not riding any lower at all, so that makes sense. Do I take it that OEM spec is the only option then ?
Just FWD and as title, 1997.

[volvo again]

One option is to change to standard dampers and springs.
PFS do a kit, standard or hd

https://www.partsforvolvosonline.com...oducts_id=5030

https://www.partsforvolvosonline.com...oducts_id=8283

[XCR]

So, not a vast range of options then ?

[sdg1970]

My 97 V70r had seized Nivomats - I wasn't prepared to pay Volvo's £800+ for a replacement pair, so I purchased Standard shocks for a V70 and fitted Lesjofors lowering springs from PFS parts. On a 97 car your Nivomats might well be on their last legs and could also require replacement - inspect them well and make a decision from there. The Lesjofors springs are very good as it happens and lower the car tastefully to a 'non-Halfords car park on a Saturday night' level..

Or alternatively - I have a reasonable pair of Nivomat springs for a 2wd car I can sell you cheap.

[sdg1970]

As per our email here's a pic of the springs:

[XCR]

Hi Stuart, Payment sent along with new address details.
To be honest the pic doesn't help as I've not seen, or am I unlikely to see, the springs off the car until the work is done.
I assumed as you were offering them that they are the same.

Mines a 1997 T5, yours a 1997 R.
Could someone confirm they are the same ?
Both with Nivomat.

I suppose that, as you're unable to send until Monday anyway, we've got the weekend to get a definitive answer from a knowledgable forum member....

Thanks,
Mark.

[sdg1970]

Originally Posted by XCR

Hi Stuart, Payment sent along with new address details.
To be honest the pic doesn't help as I've not seen, or am I unlikely to see, the springs off the car until the work is done.
I assumed as you were offering them that they are the same.

Mines a 1997 T5, yours a 1997 R.
Could someone confirm they are the same ?
Both with Nivomat.

I suppose that, as you're unable to send until Monday anyway, we've got the weekend to get a definitive answer from a knowledgable forum member....

Thanks,
Mark.

If yours are Nivomats they will be the same - I just posted the pic so you could cross-reference and be reassured. I'll send them Monday and we'll go from there.