Soft springs for S60?

[vtl]

Nivomats come with their own special springs. They are not generic springs for regular shocks. If you manage to somehow increase stiffness of Nivomat springs or change the Nivomat's shaft length in neutral position (lift or drop it) - your Nivomat days are counted.

[MoVolvos]

My tyres are standard, 215/55/R16, the only explanation is too long/stiff springs. Unfortunately I do not know which models had less stiff springs/less compressed) Since a spring that is stiff will handle better, but a spring that is softer will handle potholes/uneven roads better.

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You are barking up the wrong tree with the springs and struts. Very little variation in weight in the S60 line, Even with all the AWD parts the % of extra weight ratio to GVW is minuscule as you split the weight 4 ways (springs).

Since you are already have stock Volvo springs and Volvo / Sach struts no amount of guessing, research or discussion will shed more light unless you start replacing those parts. Those of us who enjoy Suspension Dynamics, ASE Certified in Suspension and Steering at one time and have spent time and resource over the years know it's the tires even though yours are standard size.

Variation in tires causing ride quality issues is a wide chasm that can't be known by discussion only and the only way is for you to try another brand when the time comes.
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[scot850]

If you have stock/original springs, Volvo should be able to tell you assuming the color code paint marks have rusted off. Normally the spring rating used to be part of the information on the Vin# plate in the engine bay.

Nivomats if worn out will make the suspension harder. They are not just shocks, but load leveling so also help the springs. If the shocks or springs are worn at the back they will both need replaced.

Neil.

[dikidera]

All is original on the car, from the springs to the nivomats. Well the front struts are new-ish, 1 year old SACHS the old ones were terrible.

While it is possible the nivomats have started to degrade, it's obvious that springs affect ride quality as much as anything else. They also affect ride height, and stability when cornering.

I have recently ridden on two cars that are several orders of magnitude better whilst being very poorly maintained.

A ford focus 2001 station wagon, I was driven on the very same poor roads in the rural village where I currently need to reside, it felt like I was in some 2025 car with air suspension.
Then I was given a ride on a 2001 Skoda Octavia station wagon, it definitely had either a worn out bushing on the stabilizer bar or a broken end link, but damn did I feel the very same ride quality as the Ford, soft on the very same roads I mentioned.

And while these 2 cars are not Volvo, have different suspensions, why should the Volvo offer orders of magnitude worse ride quality than these two unmaintained cars with tires cracking from age.

I would absolutely try some different front springs if it didnt mean I had to replace the struts, but even for mine there should be different springs. Too bad there is no explanation of which are soft vs harsh.

[MoVolvos]

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Unless you know what the markings are about, which could be country and or factory it shouldn't make a whole lot of difference. Volvo is not going to make a small change in spring rate over a turbo vs non turbo. AWD vs FWD perhaps and maybe not even that. Not much else difference in package on these cars that are related to weight.

Seeing some places will sell the same strut assembly for both AWD and FWD tells you changing the springs is not significant unless it's a heavy duty rear spring like those for P80 from FCP or IPD. Bad Nivo or strut or shocks on one end can make a huge difference on the bounce on the other end. Having 4 large passenger vs 5 small and luggages is where the difference in weight can come and it can be significant.
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[scot850]

You are kind of stuck with the Nivomats. Unless you can find a kit to swap for regular suspension you need to have the same springs as come with the Nivomats as mentioned above, they are matched. The Nivomats work with the rear springs to maintain ride height so effectively do part of the spring work. Changing to a harder or softer spring will affect the life of the Nivomats.

It might be worth trying to see if you can drive a S60 with regular suspension and see if it rides better. At least you can then figure out if maybe your suspension is just worn out.

Also as mentioned, the tire rating will make a difference on how stiff the side walls are. Tires are rated on weight so if you say run a set that fit a mini-van then they will likely have harder side walls making the ride harder.

Neil.

[vtl]

Converting to non-Nivomats is trivial, just swap the shocks and the springs. It is much cheaper than buying a new Nivomats. Though I will buy them again without a doubt.

[dikidera]

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Unless you know what the markings are about, which could be country and or factory it shouldn't make a whole lot of difference. Volvo is not going to make a small change in spring rate over a turbo vs non turbo. AWD vs FWD perhaps and maybe not even that. Not much else difference in package on these cars that are related to weight.

Seeing some places will sell the same strut assembly for both AWD and FWD tells you changing the springs is not significant unless it's a heavy duty rear spring like those for P80 from FCP or IPD. Bad Nivo or strut or shocks on one end can make a huge difference on the bounce on the other end. Having 4 large passenger vs 5 small and luggages is where the difference in weight can come and it can be significant.
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That is the thing though, I do not. And no info out there either(so far).

Having 4 large passenger vs 5 small and luggages is where the difference in weight can come and it can be significant.

I ride solo and luggage free. It almost feels like the whole car is rigid, I can feel the chassis flexing because the B-pillar croaks as does the dashboard when I am passing over uneven patches. And again, I have 1 year old SACHS.
While it is possible that my nivomats have somewhat failed, I have particularly paid attention to the front just before the rear hits the same patch and definitely the overall feel is signifcant on bumps, with the same being true for the rear.

I will be replacing my tires with winter tyres very soon and new ones too. But i will go with 205/55ZR16 same as before. I wouldve preferred 205/65 but as you know, it will rub significantly.

Converting to non-Nivomats is trivial, just swap the shocks and the springs. It is much cheaper than buying a new Nivomats. Though I will buy them again without a doubt.

New ones are expensive and used ones are of unknown lifespan left, they could be worse than the original.

Btw, I have heard that seats also affect how much you feel from the bumps. I do feel like my seat has sunken somewhat since I last used it.

[scot850]

Your data plate in the engine bay with the Vin# on it should have a string of 8? numbers on the lower right of it. This string of numbers gives you the details of your suspension you can then cross reference with the info you posted previously for the part numbers for springs and shocks. This might help:



Neil.