Replacing Nivomat Rear Shock Absorbers - 2004 V40 Sport

[Uncle Tom Cobley]

The car is a 2004 V40 Sport 1.9D.

It has just failed the MOT for a faulty rear shock absorber. It is not that the shock absorber has failed or leaking but the spring mounting collar round the shock absorber housing has badly rusted. Ultimately this will break off completely and the spring will drop down and rest on the lower control arm.

I discover the car is fitted with Nivomat self-levelling shock absorbers and this is the problem. Not only are they extremely expensive (£400-£500 per side) but I’m not sure they are even obtainable any longer, at this price I haven’t asked a Volvo dealer. The chassis code for the rear suspension is 2E which is Sport suspension but really I am not that bothered about this and standard Comfort suspension will I’m sure suit me fine.

There are references on this forum to replacing these Nivomats with standard rear shock absorbers and it appears it can be done but none of the posts appears to contain any details.

Looking at the parts list it appears they are not a straightforward replacement, there appear to be a number of fittings which are not the same. For example, the upper bracket into which the shock absorber sits and which bolts to the bodywork. The Nivomat bracket is part 30862010 while the non Nivomat part is 30620916 (2003+ models). There appear to be about 8 different parts.

I realise I shall also need a new set of springs as Nivomat springs are softer. I appreciate that the parts for both sides will likely be similar to the cost of a new Nivomat (if obtainable) but looking at the other side it is also very rusted and will likely need replacing shortly.

I really am not interested in finding a used set of Nivomats from a breaker, at this age they’re probably pretty worn and likely to fail before long anyway.

Is there anybody on this forum who has actually changed Nivomats for standard shock absorbers and springs or can give more precise details of the work. Or indeed any other advice or recommendations?

Thanks.

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[druid]

Cant give you a definitive answer but the body shell is the same so possibly top mount may be needed but thats all i can think of. Course if you have HID lights the car is supposed to be self leveling.

[Uncle Tom Cobley]

Thank you Druid.

Yes, the top mount is the part I referred to above, the parts list describes it as the ‘upper bracket’.

But this is not the only part with a different part number for the standard shock absorber set up, as I said there are about 8 different parts. Most of these are around this top mount and may only be various rubber bushes but it is difficult to tell from a simple line drawing.

Obviously I’m reluctant to get all these parts in and dismantle the rear suspension only to find all the parts will not fit the car. I believe the Sport chassis is slightly different from the standard S40/V40 body and it would be reassuring to know from somebody who has actually done it. I would have thought quite a few Sport owners have experienced a similar problem.

It doesn’t have HID lights.

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[druid]

Ok my thoughts, the chassis is the same as they didn't re-engineer the car, it's the springs and the anti roll bar that make it a sport nothing else. Try Simon at FRF Volvo for advice AND parts - plus you can get discount with code C3 iirc.

[Uncle Tom Cobley]

Thanks again Druid,

I’ve already called FRF although I don’t know that I spoke with Simon. They didn’t feel qualified to express a view on whether changing over the shock absorbers was possible. I’ve bought parts from them in the past (with the discount) and their service has always been first class.

I note what you say about the chassis, I made the point as I’d read comments like ‘not suitable for Sport chassis’, maybe this merely relates to the anti-roll bar and Nivomat shock absorbers as I believe all the later Sport models had these.

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[Griffithsbilly8]

I had the same problem with my old v40 I just bought a second hand set of shocks and springs and fitted them no problem. Total cost of 60 quid no other parts needed straight swop

[Uncle Tom Cobley]

Thank you very much Griffithsbilly, that's very interesting and helpful but unfortunately just a little late for me. I needed to act quite quickly in order to complete the work before my old MOT expires.


But for the benefit of others, did you use the top mounts from the Nivomats or did the second hand parts come as a complete assembly of shock/spring/mount which you fitted as a complete unit?

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[Griffithsbilly8]

All come with the top mounts it was an easy swap. What happened to the car?

[Uncle Tom Cobley]

Thanks.

I managed to find a used Nivomat and apparently it's OK to fit them singly, normally you'd expect to replace shocks and/or springs to both sides.

I'm very reluctant to fit used mechanical parts as you cannot be certain of their condition especially as the car is in good condition and I plan to use it for a few more years. I don't have such concerns about cosmetic parts.

I am aware the Sport (Nivomat) anti-roll bar is thicker (presumably more rigid) than that fitted with normal shock absorbers but I don't suppose this is of concern unless you typically corner on two wheels!

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