97 855R suspension: to renew nivomat or not?

[Peevarino]

The new dad wagon needs some rear shocks, the nivomats are shot. I’m on the fence about swapping out springs and getting Bilstein or the like, or finding low mileage nivomats. I’m cheap, and the car needs a few other things before I spring for $200 plus each for new nivos.

Not looking to lower, stock height. Any good combinations of spring/shock to look into?

I’m not against new nivomats, but have some maintenance, heater not working gremlins, and cosmetic bits to replace

[erikv11]

I really like these with Bilstein touring (TC) shocks: https://www.ipdusa.com/products/8817/12 ... 70-v70-fwd

[bmdubya1198]

It really depends on if you really need/want the load leveling. If you don't need it, go for an upgraded shock like Koni or Bilstein. Otherwise, replace the Nivos.
I'm not sure if the FWD nivos are the same as the AWD nivos as far as the spring setup (I know they mount differently, so I'm sure you can just bolt in a regular shock) but you'll want standard springs, whether they be lowering springs, stock springs, or those iPd overload springs. The springs with nivomat shocks are only helper springs, and not designed to bear the weight of the car on their own. The rear end will sag pretty badly.

[Peevarino]

I know I need to swap out springs if I don’t get nivos, pretty sure I would also need different upper shock mounts, but would anything have to change for the springs?

I don’t really see a need for the leveling aspect of nivomats, so unless I can find a good used set I’ll add springs to the list of what is getting replaced.

[bmdubya1198]

I don't think there is any difference in the spring mounting. You can replace the spring perch or bump stop since it's likely worn out, but I don't think there's anything that NEEDS to be replaced.

Take a look at this thread: http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/topic/16 ... r-end-855/

[Peevarino]

Ha, I just finished reading that thread this morning

[erikv11]

The overload springs actually improve the handling some (they are stiffer) without lowering the car. And they are especially great when you put four people or a load of whatever into the wagon.

[Sommerfeldt]

You need new upper shock mounts, and you need "reinforced" springs. Nivos use a reinforced shock mount that won't work with other stuff. If the Nivos are shot, be prepared for the car to ride a little higher on the "regular" springs than where the old Nivos would have kept it.

You cannot - absolutely not - keep the current springs (Nivos carry the car, instead of the springs, which is the reason for the bulky shock mounts. W/o the Nivos, you need the springs to carry the weight), but there's no difference other than the type of spring. Seats and everything else is the same, so just pop them in there. When I replaced my worn-out Nivos for regular stuff (Koni yellows and "reinforced" springs), I also noticed the added stiffness and improved handling that erikv mentions.

As bmdubya says, get new bump stops.

- S

[Ozark Lee]

There are different Nivomats for different springs and I'm pretty sure they are different between wagons and sedans. That said, I scored a pair for the XC off of a S70 AWD model at the U Pull lot for about $7.00 each. Bolted them on and they worked fine. The PO had put a set of Bilstien TCs on the rear with the Nivomat springs and if anyone was riding in the back seat the rear bumper about dragged the ground. Although perhaps not perfectly matched and even having over 100k on them they fixed everything.

...Lee

[Peevarino]

I’ve seen several on fleabay and elsewhere, but wrong part number for an 850. Most look like they’ve at least 100k miles on them. I haven’t had any time to see the few (and far between) Volvos at my local pull a part. Maybe I’ll get lucky?

Strongly leaning towards the ipd overloads and Sachs at least. With new struts and springs up front, I’d like the rear to be similarly freshened up. But cheap low mileage nivos would help free up funds for the rest of Hela’s needed work.