Nivomat Fluctuations

[benpineapple]

Hello! Been a while since posting, V70 has been running like a dream. Just hit 236xxx miles this week. Still no issues since pulling the engine last winter and replacing all the trans seals/RMS. Last month I did my routine PCV change, and tried rspi's method of fabricating your own breather hoses out of copper, for durability. No issues there either!

So, maybe 2 months ago, I finally found a V70 at the local pick n pull with Nivomats on it, and they were in great shape! Boots intact, no evidence of fluid leaking, no rust on the outside. Pick n pull charged me $5.50usd each. I installed them, and instantly my ride-height was back where it should be at 25.5"-26" (ground to center of rear wheelwell), up from a saggy 24" (with nothing loaded in the car). These new-to-me Nivos have been great, until a few weeks ago I experienced a hiccough.

Had some home repair to do, went out and bought a bunch of materials, to get the materials to fit, I removed the front passenger seat, so I could set long things in the car (I have done this before). I loaded about 10 2x4s, and 5 sheets of 4x8 plywood (trimmed to 2x8, to fit). I kept the materials in my car while I was working on the projects, all-in-all materials sat in my car for about 3 days. Once empty, I noticed the rear of my car was saggy again! Car stayed saggy for about a week, then in the past few days is back up to about 25.5" rear ride height.

Is this an issue with the used Nivos, or a fluke, or directly related to the weight of the materials? Not sure if relevant, but we also had a cold snap during the time it went saggy; nighttime temps down to about 40, highs around 60-65, for an entire 2 weeks. Nighttime temps are now around 50-55, with highs 75-80.

If something is wrong with my Nivos, I'm just going to replace them with new. Because of the sagging rear end (before getting the used Nivos), my rear tires wore down in the inside a great deal, and need replaced soon before winter hits. I don't want to replace tires if they're just going to get trashed again.

TL/DR: good looking used Nivomats are fluctuating ride height, bad or just effected by weather?

Thanks! Let me know if you have any questions!

[BEJinFbk]

Not Nivo related, but did you know that the front passenger seat folds flat?
Might make those trips to the lumber yard a little easier.

[scot850]

Maybe the nivomats have a slight leak down, just like fuel pressure. After 2 weeks I am not surprised they leaked down with a bunch of weight in them. Nivomats need motion to pump them up so I would suggest you don't have an issue.

Neil.

[benpineapple]

Maybe the nivomats have a slight leak down, just like fuel pressure. After 2 weeks I am not surprised they leaked down with a bunch of weight in them. Nivomats need motion to pump them up so I would suggest you don't have an issue.

Neil.

Glad to hear, wasn't aware that motion pumps them up, maybe I performed a super fast stop that shocked them back into proper ride height...Still not seeing any leaking on them though, bottoms are dry, peeled the boot up a bit, no fluid in there.

[benpineapple]

Not Nivo related, but did you know that the front passenger seat folds flat?
Might make those trips to the lumber yard a little easier.

Haha, now I feel silly. Had no idea! Just looked up the tutorial on how to do it. I had noticed the levers on the back low side, figured it was so a rear passenger could slide seat forward.

Thanks!

[Clemens]

That depends on the seat. I think power seats do not fold down (at least I haven´t found the fold down lever on my memory seats).

[BEJinFbk]

That depends on the seat. I think power seats do not fold down (at least I haven´t found the fold down lever on my memory seats).

http://new.volvocars.com/ownersdocs/199 ... 7.htm#pg63