Nivomat Rear Shock Absorbers - 850CD
 

1996 Volvo 850CD Estate, Standard 2 Wheel Drive, Standard Suspension (NOT Lowered, T5 or R)
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One of my rear shock absorbers has just started to 'weep' slightly, showing mild fluid misting around the lower eye mount. Because my car is the 'luxury' CD model, it was factory fitted with Sachs Nivomat self-levelling rear shock absorbers. I think 850 Platinums are similarly equipped and that also Nivomats were offered as a factory-fitted optional accessory. Both my rear dampers have split protective rubber bellows.

I am on the lookout for a serviceable matching single or pair of standard ride height Nivomat shocks. After substantial research I understand the following:

ID Plate designation for my rear shocks: F
Original Volvo OE Part Number: # 271809
Volvo P80 V70 Ph 1 equivalent: # 8626028 - Purple Colour Code

Sachs OE #: 170496 -> 444213 No Longer Available
Boge OEM #: 60-166-4 -> 60-B02-0 No Longer Available

Do any of you fellow Volvo enthusiasts have one or two compatible used serviceable Nivomats for sale? Perhaps you have lowered your vehicle or upgraded your suspension and have the original components. I understand Nivomats from an 850 or V70 Ph1 T5 or R will not have the same ride height so not compatible with my car.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Kind regards - stay safe! RB

I'm a fan, thus I squirrelled away new sets when they were throwing these about like sweets to kids. Now, getting very difficult to find in decent used order.


BiFuels & CD trim had these stock.

Mad prices new, but you know this, or you wouldn't be asking. Good for 250K+ if the gaiters are kept decent. Once gaiters go, their days are numbered.

If you want cheap, swap to stock shox with std heavy springs or put in pricier air adjsutable. Monroe used to do a kit and likely still do.

Else dig deep. Nivomat are the best for ride and safety. You want purple. SACHS have details on their site.

I have a serviceable set for £150. I'm in Beds.

New Sachs units for 850 non-sport suspension (as on the CD) are available from Skandix at an eye watering 419 Euro each plus shipping which is a further 60 Euro. I'm not sure if this includes the bellows.

Secondhand units are available across eBay.

In case you are tempted to convert to conventional shock absorbers and springs, there seems to be a wide body of opinion both from owners and motoring reviewers/journalists that the Nivomats give not only the best ride and comfort but also the best handling. (lets face it, they must have been made standard on the T-5R for a reason).

Regards
John

Hi John,

Many thanks for your input. I was looking at Skandix this morning and the price is indeed eye-watering, plus now we are out of the EU (thank goodness ;) ) there would probably be about another £75.00 carriage, handling, duties and VAT! Pretty much brings them to Volvo OE prices I guess.

I have also been looking at the non-Nivomat conversion option and was beginning to realise some people were unhappy with the handling and ride of their conversion. Additionally, although the supposed after-market kits seem to include just the shocks and springs, the shock mounting plates are different as I think is some of the spring ancillary hardware - and as Volvo tend to make the best and most suitable parts for their own cars, would not be that cheap either doing the job 'properly'. Apparently, Australian and USA derivatives were predominantly non-Nivomat!

I have some time to play with as my car has a long MOT and is slightly 'misting' rather than even weeping - but it is a sign that in due course the Nivomats will need attention.

The used ones on eBay are a bit of a minefield too, especially as not everyone selling is aware of the different ride height / damping characteristics and many look very shoddy indeed so one is never quite sure what one is buying.

My car is beautiful, have owned her for twenty years and there are not many CDs left registered on UK roads, but has run away with costs the last few years so don't really want to fork out the better part of a grand on parts alone! There will be a solution - there always is, it is just a case of finding the right deal. I would indeed prefer to keep the Nivomat setup as you rightly suggest.

Best Regards, RB

You're right - you have to get the mounting conversion kit to go to conventional shocks but as you have surmised, staying with Nivomats is preferable.

Secondhand is always a chancy option - you can strike lucky or be in the same boat a couple of years down the line. 900 Euro (approx. £780) including VAT and shipping from Skandix is painful but consider that if the car is beautiful and you have a strong attachment, new Nivomats should go for at least 10 years / 100K miles as they are pretty robust - so £80 a year doesn't seem quite so bad.

Just a thought - there are a lot of specialist engineering workshops that cater for classic cars and a fair few rebuild shock absorbers. Why not have a good trawl on the internet and classified ads in the classic car press and see if you can get yours rebuilt. Even if it cost £200 each, that would be a worthwhile saving.

Regards
John

And if you do have success going this route, please tell us on here. If the company did a good job you could tell them there'd be a fair bit more business coming their way i'd have thought - me for one, my Nivos are OK at the moment but it's only a matter of time.....

No problem!

I can already gladly recommend a company for reconditioning steering racks if you want?

Best, RB

A few years ago I went through the saga of new Nivos for my 745 which of course appeared to be NLA everywhere whether they be Sach, Boge (all part of ZF).

I then discovered that Volvo Heritage could still supply them on order from Sweden as kits (3 parts per side) depending on 700/900 model. Fortunately, I happened to acquire a virtually new set of Boge's. You can still buy what appears to be the universal Sach 9 bellows gaiters from any Dealership.

Nivos from Volvo are not that cheap but if you want Nivos not outrageous so. The kits are still available.

I have made absolutely no enquiries for my '98 V70 CD. However, my first port of call would be to phone the Volvo Dealership, FRF, Swansea, (see Sticky under Traders etc) who are exceptionally knowledgeable on older parts and offer a discount if you ask.

Best of luck, Bob :)

Nivomats
 

[QUOTE=CNGBiFuel;2715890]

BiFuels & CD trim had these stock.


Was this 850 only?

My V70 T5 CD has standard rears. Don't know if they were changed by a previous owner.

Tried decoding the VIN but there does not appear any indication that I can find - is there a build plate somewhere?

Someone mentioned that there is different mountings needed to convert from Nivomats to standard. Is this correct? It was just HD springs and dampers needed when I did my 740.

@turboboy:

Yes, there are suspension and shock absorber codes on the main ID plate, the same plate as the VIN but the right hand column, fifth down. It is a collection of seven letters. The rear shock absorber code is fourth from the left (also fourth from the right), the rear spring is fifth from the left (third from the right).

My understanding for an 850 (and presumably P80 chassis V70 Ph1) is there are different components to swap out a Nivomat for standard suspension. The Rear Shock Upper Mount Support Plate is different as I think are the two flange bolts holding it. The spring itself is different of course, and its bottom retainer plate and coned 'helper spring' (inside the spring coils) and upper mount might be different as well (or not fitted / fitted). You really need to check it with a main Volvo dealership spares dept.

Hope this helps. Best. RB

Link to ID Plate Location and Decoder
https://www.volvoclub.org.uk/tech/PlateLocation.pdf