Generally what’s the most likely cause of tear siting low

[Richard240]

Thanks so much. Much as I'd like to revert to Nivomat's, E1000 plus import tax is prohibitively expensive, so I'll take your advice and go with stiffer springs to compensate for the standard Bilsteins. It may even surprise me and feel better than the 31 year old Nivomats.

[360beast]

Originally Posted by Richard240

Reading this thread I fear I've had my shock absorbers replaced incorrectly and feeling pretty stupid about it...

Last year I had fitted two pairs of new Bilstein B4 shock absorbers from Autodoc to the front and rear because of an MOT failure. He fitted the B4s and we have had a saggy backside ever since. I carry heavy loads regularly and at night get other drivers flashing their lights at me assuming I'm on full beam!

The mechanic (not a Volvo expert) noted the old rear shocks were much chunkier, and I suspect now may have been self levelling ones. I have attached a picture of the old shock absorber. Does anyone recognise this? Might it be a Nivomat?

What are my options to fix the sag (picture attached of the saggy car yesterday loaded heavily with nine 70 litre sacks of bark chippings and my father in law in the rear seat)?
1. Stick with the weak shocks and upgrade the rear springs. If so, to what?
2. Find some Nivomats and switch the shocks back to more what they were like?
3. Get different shocks?

My priority is making sure the car drives comfortably and safely, no need for a big upgrade or changing it's ride height from standard. But I'm enduring a big downgrade at the moment.

Thanks for any thoughts.

Richard

https://www.partsforvolvosonline.com...0057bdc0b18767

Those should sort you out

[Othen]

Originally Posted by 2011dandd

Hi guys as the title suggests.....
What is the most likely cause for the rear of my 240 estate sitting very low even without load?
I have read that rear trailing arm bushes could be likely. But do the springs start to loose there spring?

Cheers

Try these (for free) and see if they solve the issue if you like:

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showp...23&postcount=1

You could have these swapped over in an hour… you are just down the road from Corby del Sol.



Addendum: I’ve just noticed the OP was nearly 4 years ago - silly me!

[classicswede]

Originally Posted by Othen

Try these (for free) and see if they solve the issue if you like:

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showp...23&postcount=1

You could have these swapped over in an hour… you are just down the road from Corby del Sol.

!

They are saloon springs so too soft for an estate

[classicswede]

If you always carry weight then fixed rate heavy duty springs will sort you out https://www.classicswede.org/shop/hd...=6060e3abd7a69

if you are sometimes empty and sometimes loaded then the progressive springs will be just the ticket https://www.classicswede.org/shop/pr...=6060e3abd7a69

If you want new standard springs the nearest you can get are a little stiffer and lower about 20mm so you either have to swap the fronts to match or add the spacers