V70: Suspension - 2009 R Design Nivomat Suspension

Calum86 · Aug 23rd, 2022, 05:38

Hi,

I have a leaking rear shock absorber and have discovered to my horror, that it is a nivomat self levelling type. Not wanting to spend the eye watering cost for a new one (pick up has just had £3k worth of work) what other options are there?

Is refurbished an option or can I convert them out for cheaper? Any help would really be appreciated.

Thanks

100K+ · Aug 23rd, 2022, 09:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calum86

Hi,

I have a leaking rear shock absorber and have discovered to my horror, that it is a nivomat self levelling type. Not wanting to spend the eye watering cost for a new one (pick up has just had £3k worth of work) what other options are there?

Is refurbished an option or can I convert them out for cheaper? Any help would really be appreciated.

Thanks

In the P2 section there are regular requests for info about converting nivomats to a normal suspension. IIRC bottom of the suspension need the work and the effort/cost of the conversion is not always considered worth the effort.

How this transfers to the P3 I don't know.

Cheers
Bob

apersson850 · Aug 23rd, 2022, 13:24

Hole for attaching the shock absorber to the support arm is different for levelling and standard shock absorber.
Coil spring is different stiffness for self levelling and standard shock absorber.

Value of having Nivomat is well above the cost.

Calum86 · Aug 23rd, 2022, 15:11

The cost per shocker is £500, I am not sure the value is there to be honest. However might be the only option unless the conversion kit fron Sweden works.

S60D5-185 · Aug 23rd, 2022, 15:47

The generally accepted view is that Nivomats are not like normal shockers and are either working 100% or are totally goosed.

Following on from that thought ( loads of threads on here about this ) there is no problem fitting a good used Nivomat to replace the broken one whereas I would always fit a pair of new conventional shockers if one was leaking.

At the end of the day the choice is yours but if a Nivomat on my XC90 expired I would be fitting ONE used one .

Check Ebay, looks like some on there for about £120

Calum86 · Aug 23rd, 2022, 16:45

I have had a good look on ebay and see loads of Xc90 ones but struggling to find ones for the v70. Maybe need to look again and harder.

Thanks for the info on them though, it is good to know. My thinking was do both as that was my approach to standard shocks

Calum86 · Aug 23rd, 2022, 17:20

Found these and company claims they fit with no further modifications

https://geparts.se/en/rebuildingkit-...v70-iii-2.html

S60D5-185 · Aug 23rd, 2022, 20:24

Could be worth checking with this one if you do decide to try used.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/295177728...temCondition=4

simboc2004 · Aug 24th, 2022, 08:48

Can you fit Nivomats in place of standard shocks?

apersson850 · Aug 24th, 2022, 09:42

"It depends". For some cars, the holes to mount them in the support arm are different sizes.
Cars with Nivomat have softer springs, since they shock absorber carries part of the load.
The Nivomat advantage is most noticeable when towing long and heavy trailers on one axle. Also it helps keeping the ground clearance where it should be on your XC70. They are too low as they are. Don't ask how I know that...

Aug 23rd, 2022, 05:38	#1
Calum86 New Member Last Online: Feb 3rd, 2024 15:31 Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Halkirk	2009 R Design Nivomat Suspension Hi, I have a leaking rear shock absorber and have discovered to my horror, that it is a nivomat self levelling type. Not wanting to spend the eye watering cost for a new one (pick up has just had £3k worth of work) what other options are there? Is refurbished an option or can I convert them out for cheaper? Any help would really be appreciated. Thanks

Aug 23rd, 2022, 15:47	#5
S60D5-185 Me ? Surely Not! Last Online: Apr 5th, 2024 16:23 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: 2007 Volvo XC90 D5 Geartronic. South of Hadrians Wall.	The generally accepted view is that Nivomats are not like normal shockers and are either working 100% or are totally goosed. Following on from that thought ( loads of threads on here about this ) there is no problem fitting a good used Nivomat to replace the broken one whereas I would always fit a pair of new conventional shockers if one was leaking. At the end of the day the choice is yours but if a Nivomat on my XC90 expired I would be fitting ONE used one . Check Ebay, looks like some on there for about £120 __________________ “Do the right thing. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest.” – Mark Twain 😊 2007 Volvo XC90 D5 SE Geartronic Last edited by S60D5-185; Aug 23rd, 2022 at 15:51.

Aug 23rd, 2022, 20:24	#8
S60D5-185 Me ? Surely Not! Last Online: Apr 5th, 2024 16:23 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: 2007 Volvo XC90 D5 Geartronic. South of Hadrians Wall.	Could be worth checking with this one if you do decide to try used. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/295177728...temCondition=4 __________________ “Do the right thing. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest.” – Mark Twain 😊 2007 Volvo XC90 D5 SE Geartronic

Aug 24th, 2022, 08:48	#9
simboc2004 SimboC2004 Last Online: Apr 17th, 2024 22:24 Join Date: May 2019 Location: Diss	Can you fit Nivomats in place of standard shocks? __________________ Volvo V70 P3 ES D3/D4 2011 - 170,000 miles in Black Stone Volvo V40 R-Design Nav Plus D4 190 - 60,000 miles in Osmium Grey Past: '90 944 2.0 turbo, '91 944 2.0, '92 945 2.0 turbo, '95 945 2.3 HPT, '09 C30 2.0D R Design 180bhp+, '13 C30 D2 Lux.

Aug 23rd, 2022, 13:24	#3
apersson850 Premier Member Last Online: Apr 17th, 2024 21:40 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Traryd View Photos By: apersson850	Hole for attaching the shock absorber to the support arm is different for levelling and standard shock absorber. Coil spring is different stiffness for self levelling and standard shock absorber. Value of having Nivomat is well above the cost.

Aug 23rd, 2022, 15:11	#4
Calum86 New Member Last Online: Feb 3rd, 2024 15:31 Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Halkirk	The cost per shocker is £500, I am not sure the value is there to be honest. However might be the only option unless the conversion kit fron Sweden works.

Aug 23rd, 2022, 16:45	#6
Calum86 New Member Last Online: Feb 3rd, 2024 15:31 Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Halkirk	I have had a good look on ebay and see loads of Xc90 ones but struggling to find ones for the v70. Maybe need to look again and harder. Thanks for the info on them though, it is good to know. My thinking was do both as that was my approach to standard shocks

Aug 23rd, 2022, 17:20	#7
Calum86 New Member Last Online: Feb 3rd, 2024 15:31 Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Halkirk	Found these and company claims they fit with no further modifications https://geparts.se/en/rebuildingkit-...v70-iii-2.html

Aug 24th, 2022, 09:42	#10
apersson850 Premier Member Last Online: Apr 17th, 2024 21:40 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Traryd View Photos By: apersson850	"It depends". For some cars, the holes to mount them in the support arm are different sizes. Cars with Nivomat have softer springs, since they shock absorber carries part of the load. The Nivomat advantage is most noticeable when towing long and heavy trailers on one axle. Also it helps keeping the ground clearance where it should be on your XC70. They are too low as they are. Don't ask how I know that...

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