Rear dampers

[classicswede]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

There is also the availability problem for them now, i know those for the 7xx seem to be NLA at last check, not sure about the 9xx with the newer IRS/multi-link. I's rather have normal dampers and springs than things that officially don't work and pay in limb/organ propoprtions for the privilege.

The mk2 IRS does give a much better ride be it Nivo or the normal damper setup. They do not have a normal spring but a transverse leaf

[Rversteeg]

I know of someone who had his Nivomats refurbished by a racing suspension specialist in Holland. Surely there must be similar companies in the UK. With these prices it might be worth a try.

[Dippydog]

Tried phoning FRF today but got no answer after the automated message bit[closed due to lockdown?]to try and find out if mine does indeed have self levellers,so no further forward on this at present.Whether it makes a difference or not I don't know but my car has the manual rotary headlight adjuster on the dash.If I get underneath to look at the dampers what if anything would indicate whether nivomats are fitted as opposed to ordinary dampers?Granted it may have had the dampers replaced previously so may not be originals but may give a clue after all although it's 25 yrs old now it's only covered 125,000mls and never had a tow bar fitted so it's not been used for towing.

[bob12]

Originally Posted by Dippydog

Tried phoning FRF today but got no answer after the automated message bit[closed due to lockdown?]to try and find out if mine does indeed have self levellers,so no further forward on this at present.Whether it makes a difference or not I don't know but my car has the manual rotary headlight adjuster on the dash.If I get underneath to look at the dampers what if anything would indicate whether nivomats are fitted as opposed to ordinary dampers?Granted it may have had the dampers replaced previously so may not be originals but may give a clue after all although it's 25 yrs old now it's only covered 125,000mls and never had a tow bar fitted so it's not been used for towing.

Nivos have a rubber gaiter over the piston. I believe they will look something like this although the top and bottom eyes and the size will be different as these are a pair of Boge's I refurbished for my 745.

Bob

[jpliddy]

hi bob
yours look the same as my 1995 940 dampers ive swopped them a few times over the last 21 years of ownership . the failure on mine was leaking oil from piston it shows up on the bottom knuckle easy to spot it will show a drip eventually

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Dippydog

Whether it makes a difference or not I don't know but my car has the manual rotary headlight adjuster on the dash.

At about that age those things were mandatory, sadly most people have no clue they even exist and even less idea what they're used for or how.

Later they were replaced by auto-leveling headlamp systems

[bob12]

Originally Posted by jpliddy

hi bob
yours look the same as my 1995 940 dampers ive swopped them a few times over the last 21 years of ownership . the failure on mine was leaking oil from piston it shows up on the bottom knuckle easy to spot it will show a drip eventually

Yes, that's the age failure problem with Nivos when the piston bottom seal fails and weeps oil to the extent that it can be seen at the bottom eye and fixing at the arm.

The primary cause of the problem is clearly due to the failure of the rubber gaiter letting road grit etc. in on to the moving piston. The gaiter degrades to the extent it becomes paper brittle and breaks up into several parts keeping absolutely nothing at bay!

Actually those Boges with Sach numbers came off a 760 and clearly weren't original. They are a dream.

Bob.

[bob12]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

At about that age those things were mandatory, sadly most people have no clue they even exist and even less idea what they're used for or how.

Later they were replaced by auto-leveling headlamp systems

I once had a new Peugeot 605 estate (never buy at Pugit again!!) which was a total disaster and amongst other French idiosyncrasies had a twiddle knob for the headlights.

Bob

[Dippydog]

Been in touch with FRF today unfortunately their system doesn't go back far enough to be able to tell what type was fitted.A look underneath the car as best I could tell they're ordinary dampers and a look through the history I got with the car shows Northwood Auto Services of Middlesex fitted two new rear dampers[parts cost £136+vat]in 2016.I presume a professional garage wouldn't have swapped out Nivomats for standard dampers,so mine wouldn't have self levelling.Obviously this doesn't answer the question of why it sits slightly low at the rear but as there is no sign of wayward handling investigation as to the cause will have to wait for warmer-certainly drier-weather.But any suggestions gratefully received.

[griston64]

Originally Posted by Dippydog

Been in touch with FRF today unfortunately their system doesn't go back far enough to be able to tell what type was fitted.A look underneath the car as best I could tell they're ordinary dampers and a look through the history I got with the car shows Northwood Auto Services of Middlesex fitted two new rear dampers[parts cost £136+vat]in 2016.I presume a professional garage wouldn't have swapped out Nivomats for standard dampers,so mine wouldn't have self levelling.Obviously this doesn't answer the question of why it sits slightly low at the rear but as there is no sign of wayward handling investigation as to the cause will have to wait for warmer-certainly drier-weather.But any suggestions gratefully received.

I was going to suggest knackered springs but you don't have them. I'm not sure how the composite leaf springs wear on the setup on your car. Swede will be the person to ask regarding that