Boo-hoo failed MOT

[xavierx]

Originally Posted by reggit

Just noticed today that the car seems to be sitting really high at the back now.
I’d say a couple of inches higher than previously. Is that likely to to worn springs, or the nagging doubt I have that the garage has used the wrong springs.
Are the r-design springs shorter than a standard model?

So 2 things :-

1) Do you have NIVOMAT rear suspension, as that needs to have very soft springs compared to regular suspension.

2) Yes, the R-design is lower than a regular V70 (I have a 2010 V70 R-design as well)


Do you have an invoice / details of what springs were used. We can check if you have the correct ones

[reggit]

Originally Posted by xavierx

So 2 things :-

1) Do you have NIVOMAT rear suspension, as that needs to have very soft springs compared to regular suspension.

2) Yes, the R-design is lower than a regular V70 (I have a 2010 V70 R-design as well)


Do you have an invoice / details of what springs were used. We can check if you have the correct ones

I’m wondering if that’s the nail in the head so to speak.
The stance of the car reminds me of an old P2 S60 I had which had nivomats and sat high at the back.
Just crawled under it and the shocks have similar bellows on them.

I’ve put a picture on, although not brilliant, perhaps someone could confirm.

Been trying to flash Vida up to see if that has the build specs from last time I read it, however it’s now refusing to work grrr!

Unfortunately the garage invoice just said ‘coil springs’.

Think I’ll take the car out for a decent run and see if the ride height adjusts.

[simboc2004]

Yes, the R-Design springs are shorter than standard. About 40mm shorter.

All R-Design cars had Nivomats, i believe - in the UK anyway

[Simmy]

yes the pics do look like nivomats which use softer springs i think you will find that your newly fitted springs are wrong and wont allow the self levelling that nivomats usually provide .

[Simmy]

yes the pics do look like nivomats which use softer springs i think you will find that your newly fitted springs are wrong and wont allow the self levelling that nivomats usually provide . this problem usually happens in reverse when people change to standard shocks and leave the nivomat rated springs . resulting in a low saggy rear end .

[simboc2004]

Have just done a quick search on Autodoc for springs and there are several options - the ones we are interested in are:

* Standard suspension (no levelling control or 4C): height of spring = 383mm, thickness 14mm and diameter 133mm.

* Suspension with levelling control (i.e. Nivomats/R Design): height of spring 351mm, thickness 12.8mm and diameter 130mm.


As @xavierx said, the Nivomat spring needs to be softer than a standard one. Hence 12.8mm thick, not 14mm.

[reggit]

Guess that’s what you get for using a garage on a job you can do yourself :-(

I’ll be complaining at them on Monday.

Thanks all

[reggit]

Originally Posted by simboc2004

Have just done a quick search on Autodoc for springs and there are several options - the ones we are interested in are:

* Standard suspension (no levelling control or 4C): height of spring = 383mm, thickness 14mm and diameter 133mm.

* Suspension with levelling control (i.e. Nivomats/R Design): height of spring 351mm, thickness 12.8mm and diameter 130mm.


As @xavierx said, the Nivomat spring needs to be softer than a standard one. Hence 12.8mm thick, not 14mm.

Ahh, I’ll measure the spring and see what the thickness is. Thank you, that’s really useful.

Edit: really quick measurement but it looks to be 14mm. Vernier reading 14.2mm

[simboc2004]

Still looking:

I think the Volvo part number you need is 31360800. Check this by going to Skandix.de and entering your VIN number in their checker - this should check that you get the right part number.

A standard spring appears to be part number 31202534.

When I looked on the US official Volvo parts website (which is really good for diagrams and part numbers - though only certain specs were ever sold there - so be careful) there were about 20 different Variant Numbers that were attached to different spring codes...

[reggit]

Scandix is showing me it’s the one in the picture, although I’m not sure.

Think I’ll call Volvo in the morning and get the part number direct from them.

Edit again: checked on online car parts.com and it’s giving the number 31360800