1998 V70XC. Has anyone used standard shocks instead of Nivomats?

Post by **shiloh51933** » 18 Mar 2016, 16:31

I have a new rear set of Sachs shocks for the rear of my '98 XC but haven't had money for new set of correct rear springs to match standard shocks. My XC came with the Nivomats and I planned on swapping in the standard shocks/springs when I got the springs but the R/R nivo is bad. I thinking about just swapping in the Sachs I got now and wanted to see if anyone here has done this and there experience in doing so.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 18 Mar 2016, 18:29

I had standard shocks with the Nivomat springs on my first XC and the car handled terribly and a bag of dog food would cause the rear to squat 4 or 5 inches. They were nearly new. I found a set of used Nivomats at a Pick-N-Pull and swapped them in and the car was much, MUCH, better.

...Lee

Post by **kahl** » 18 Mar 2016, 18:46

Look in the for sale forum, I know of at one set of nivomats for sale.

Post by **scot850** » 18 Mar 2016, 19:02

There are a pair for sale in what looks like good condition in the For Sale section. I also have a pair I pulled today in really good condition. Don't need them but when they are good I hate to see them wasted! I'll put them up on the For Sale at some point once the others have gone.

The V70Xc sits taller than the regular AWD cars so if you change the springs you will throw out the rear end geometry. Also the Nivomats give self-levelling that regular shocks don't. Finally the rear hubs on the V70R and AWD are different to the V70XC.

The old saying is though, if you want to try it go ahead (or nothing ventured......).

I know some folks have tried regular shocks but found the rear bumper was in the weeds with little load applied.

Neil.