1998 V70 XC AWD 2.4 Rear shock type?

rollingon · Post by **rollingon** » 06 Mar 2014, 12:53

Hello. I have a weeping rear shock absorber on my V70, and so will need to replace both shocks. I have not done anything to the rear shocks before, and am not completely sure that my car has self-levelling suspension, though I think it does. Can someone let me know for sure? Here is the information stamped on the ID plate which is under the hood on the inner left wing (right side, behind the air cleaner and battery, when you are looking at the engine):
876 W2 461788 31
YV1L25641W2461788 3080
01926
3WAMMWAZ

If I am correct that I need self-levelling shocks, which cost a painful =/-$280 per unit, can anyone tell me where to get these for the best price? I normally use FCP.

Thanks very much for any help.

Post by **precopster** » 06 Mar 2014, 13:39

A lot of AWD Volvo owners pull out the Nivomats and replace with standard shocks. The ride height should be matched with used springs from a non nivomat car IIRC.

Nivomats are easy to identify. They are an upside down shock absorber like old De Carbon shocks and have a rubber bellows on the upper section of the shock absorber.

holmie_da_clown · Post by **holmie_da_clown** » 06 Mar 2014, 19:27

Volvo nivomat shocks look like this:

: nivomat shock; th.jpg (3.97 KiB) Viewed 2992 times

rollingon · Post by **rollingon** » 07 Mar 2014, 23:46

Hello Mike - do you mean that I can just fit non self-leveling, Nivomat shocks, or that if I do I have to also change the springs?

Post by **precopster** » 08 Mar 2014, 04:31

Yes that's what I recall. If another member can chime in......

Post by **erikv11** » 08 Mar 2014, 07:30

rollingon wrote:Hello Mike - do you mean that I can just fit non self-leveling, Nivomat shocks, or that if I do I have to also change the springs?

Never done it, but read about it a bunch of times: if you go to non-nivomat, you must also change the springs.

frankv70xc · Post by **frankv70xc** » 16 Mar 2014, 08:54

Hi rollingon & al,

I am sure it is possible to modify the rear end on a V70 XC from Nivomat to non-Nivomat struts. I have taken mine apart to do just that, but decided to go Nivomat for the following reasons:

The XC model was only available with Nivomat struts here in Denmark, at least according to my local Volvo parts supplier. It may be different elsewhere in the world.

So there was no reference to go by regarding which after maket struts to fit when performing such a conversion.

Also the springs needs to be exchanged and again I was unable to get a reference.

Finally, in this country it would most probably not be legal to make a modification like this as it would void the current vehicle type approval.

So right now my V70 XC is still a project vehicle sitting on a couple of axle stands in my carport awaiting the arrival of a fresh set of, horribly expensive, Nivomat shock absorbers.

Post by **kahl** » 16 Mar 2014, 10:53

I got a pair of serviceable nivomat s from Erie that looked new for 220.00. Note the banding color on the nivomat. call some of the salvage yards that are sponsors. very easy remove and replace.

Post by **rspi** » 16 Mar 2014, 12:28

I just shipped a pair of those to a guy in Maine. There were pretty clean and come with a 30 or 180 day warranty. Let me know if you need help finding a used pair.