Suspension: - 850 rear shock absorbers – rejuvenated

Moose850 · Jul 20th, 2020, 23:43

Have I rejuvenated my rear self-leveling rear shock absorbers?

I recently replaced the rusty rear bumper brackets and did some other jobs whilst I was at it. This work resulted in the car being on the lift with the wheels hanging for 2 weeks.

Before it spent 2 weeks in the air the rear end would sink a little more than it used to after sitting for a couple of days but then after a short trip the rear would be up again although probably not quite as high as it should be.
After taking it off the lift I notice the rear of the car sitting at what I imagine is the perfect ride height and after 2 weeks of no use has not noticeably sunk.

Anyone heard of this before?

CNGBiFuel · Jul 21st, 2020, 09:29

They're Nivomat, yes? This is normal. Self-levelling, there's a large clue in the name. Pumped-up via suspension movement. Search Nivomat. Last forever until gaiters perish, then degrade quickly. Change the gaiters immediately, else finding new gets pricey. VERY.

When gaiters are left too long, they no longer pump to height, find £400 each.

Moose850 · Jul 21st, 2020, 11:01

I did mention above they are self-leveling.

My point is, the rear used to sink quite low after a few days of the car not being used. After a trip they did as they should and brough the rear ride height up but not quite as high as it should be.

Now, having hung for a couple of weeks the rear no longer sinks after a few days, in fact it ihas not sunk after two weeks.

It appears being extended for two weeks when on the lift has done something to improve them, I was just wondering if anyone knew. I am not familier with the internals workings.

CNGBiFuel · Jul 25th, 2020, 11:55

Self-leveling is not always Nivomat, but usually....

Sounds like they're on the way out. Left alone, they will drop, and in good order this takes a day or two. As they get tired (dirt via missing/ torn gaiters causes this) they drop in a matter of minutes.

Looked after, new gaiters and they're the best. Quality in the extreme. Good for 250K.

Moose850 · Jul 25th, 2020, 12:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by CNGBiFuel

Self-leveling is not always Nivomat, but usually....

Sounds like they're on the way out. Left alone, they will drop, and in good order this takes a day or two. As they get tired (dirt via missing/ torn gaiters causes this) they drop in a matter of minutes.

Looked after, new gaiters and they're the best. Quality in the extreme. Good for 250K.

Mine used to drop in a couple of days which you say is about right. If knackered you say they drop quicker when the car is left standing. Mine now do not drop in a week. That's why I wondered if in hanging them for a couple of weeks it has done something to improve them as now even the ride height when just returned from a journey is higher than it was and nearer the correct ride height than it has been for several years.

There are no leaks and they have done 260,000 miles.

Derek UK · Jul 25th, 2020, 13:10

It's just possible I suppose that having them move beyond their normal working range has exercised and cleaned the valves. Result, they now work better. It may not last of course. If they appear to work fine as shock absorbers that's all that's needed. Lots of miles on smooth roads mean that shocks rarely move outside of a smallish range of movement, so a few trips up and down some bumpy tracks is probably good for them.

CNGBiFuel · Jul 25th, 2020, 13:33

Quote:

There are no leaks and they have done 260,000 miles.

The gaiters must be tired or cracked. Change 'em or cry in your beer. New, they're £8-900!

Moose850 · Jul 25th, 2020, 16:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek UK

It's just possible I suppose that having them move beyond their normal working range has exercised and cleaned the valves. Result, they now work better. It may not last of course. If they appear to work fine as shock absorbers that's all that's needed. Lots of miles on smooth roads mean that shocks rarely move outside of a smallish range of movement, so a few trips up and down some bumpy tracks is probably good for them.

Thanks for that. They get plenty of bumpy Norfolk back roads at speed too. If they go back to how they were that'll be fine.

Moose850 · Jul 25th, 2020, 16:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by CNGBiFuel

The gaiters must be tired or cracked. Change 'em or cry in your beer. New, they're £8-900!

Don't understand what the gaiters have to do with it, the shock are not knackered.

CNGBiFuel · Jul 26th, 2020, 11:16

Well... what can be said? We tried. Where you can't join the dots now, and won't be told, it's a matter of time before you're forced.

Jul 20th, 2020, 23:43	#1
Moose850 Member Last Online: Sep 17th, 2020 14:17 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Norfolk, England.	850 rear shock absorbers – rejuvenated Have I rejuvenated my rear self-leveling rear shock absorbers? I recently replaced the rusty rear bumper brackets and did some other jobs whilst I was at it. This work resulted in the car being on the lift with the wheels hanging for 2 weeks. Before it spent 2 weeks in the air the rear end would sink a little more than it used to after sitting for a couple of days but then after a short trip the rear would be up again although probably not quite as high as it should be. After taking it off the lift I notice the rear of the car sitting at what I imagine is the perfect ride height and after 2 weeks of no use has not noticeably sunk. Anyone heard of this before? __________________ *The Power of the Moose* 850 2.0L 20 valve 2WD Estate 1996. MK1 Escort Twin Cam 1969.

Jul 21st, 2020, 09:29	#2
CNGBiFuel Classic P80 1999 BiFuel Last Online: Mar 6th, 2024 00:34 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: 48mph Middle Lane M4	They're Nivomat, yes? This is normal. Self-levelling, there's a large clue in the name. Pumped-up via suspension movement. Search Nivomat. Last forever until gaiters perish, then degrade quickly. Change the gaiters immediately, else finding new gets pricey. VERY. When gaiters are left too long, they no longer pump to height, find £400 each. __________________ Bifuel V70 Classic 1999 [The Old Grumpy in the Corner, "When I was a lad... blah, bl*dy blah."] Last edited by CNGBiFuel; Jul 21st, 2020 at 09:43.*

Jul 21st, 2020, 11:01	#3
Moose850 Member Last Online: Sep 17th, 2020 14:17 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Norfolk, England.	I did mention above they are self-leveling. My point is, the rear used to sink quite low after a few days of the car not being used. After a trip they did as they should and brough the rear ride height up but not quite as high as it should be. Now, having hung for a couple of weeks the rear no longer sinks after a few days, in fact it ihas not sunk after two weeks. It appears being extended for two weeks when on the lift has done something to improve them, I was just wondering if anyone knew. I am not familier with the internals workings. __________________ *The Power of the Moose* 850 2.0L 20 valve 2WD Estate 1996. MK1 Escort Twin Cam 1969.

Jul 25th, 2020, 11:55	#4
CNGBiFuel Classic P80 1999 BiFuel Last Online: Mar 6th, 2024 00:34 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: 48mph Middle Lane M4	Self-leveling is not always Nivomat, but usually.... Sounds like they're on the way out. Left alone, they will drop, and in good order this takes a day or two. As they get tired (dirt via missing/ torn gaiters causes this) they drop in a matter of minutes. Looked after, new gaiters and they're the best. Quality in the extreme. Good for 250K. __________________ Bifuel V70 Classic 1999 [The Old Grumpy in the Corner, "When I was a lad... blah, bl*dy blah."] Last edited by CNGBiFuel; Jul 25th, 2020 at 12:00.*

Jul 26th, 2020, 11:16	#10
CNGBiFuel Classic P80 1999 BiFuel Last Online: Mar 6th, 2024 00:34 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: 48mph Middle Lane M4	Well... what can be said? We tried. Where you can't join the dots now, and won't be told, it's a matter of time before you're forced. __________________ Bifuel V70 Classic 1999 [The Old Grumpy in the Corner, "When I was a lad... blah, bl*dy blah."] Last edited by CNGBiFuel; Jul 26th, 2020 at 11:35.*

Jul 25th, 2020, 13:10	#6
Derek UK VOC Member Last Online: Today 14:29 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chatham	It's just possible I suppose that having them move beyond their normal working range has exercised and cleaned the valves. Result, they now work better. It may not last of course. If they appear to work fine as shock absorbers that's all that's needed. Lots of miles on smooth roads mean that shocks rarely move outside of a smallish range of movement, so a few trips up and down some bumpy tracks is probably good for them.

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