I read the article about converting my nivomats to standard shocks on the brickboard. I am a little comfused as to the complexity of the job. All I want to do is replace my old nivomats with the new ones. The article confuses me when it talks about compressing the spring. Can anyone just give me the simple procedure to R&R my rear nivomats on my 1989 volvo 780..thanks..Jeffry

If the string is broken and the shock extended like happens with used nivomats, compress the shock (it will compress slowly) and tie it with a couple of cable ties hooked together.

Install the shock and then cut/remove the tie. Not any different from high pressure gas shocks.

The nivomat will pump itself up through normal operation of the suspension..should take about 100yards of driving and seldom more than 400-800 yards depending on load. If it doesn't pump up it's a bad shock and take it back.

The Nivomat to standard shocks is very simple, you replace the shocks and the springs with standard models of your choice, procedure as per Haynes or other manual. If you have Nivomats and wish to keep that set-up, you do not need to worry about the springs, provided that they are ok still. To replace the Nivomats, raise the car, remove the roadwheel, undue the lower shock bolt, find and remove the plug covering the top bolt, undue the top bolt and pull the shock, then simply fit the new shock. It really is an easy job, unless of course a bolt has seized....

George
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1987 745 GLE Turbodiesel Intercooler (D24TIC/M46) 190k and 1988 745 Turbo Intercooler (B230FT/M46) 290k

I am a little surprised to hear the words very simple used to describe the IRS/Nivomat (as on the 780) "conversion". I thought it was considered complex. More importantly, why bother when Nivos are affordable (OK, $400 a set) once in a life expense? The ride on my 780 with IPD bars, Bilstien fronts and Nivo rears is great.

Ok. Gholmer. But how do you pull the shock out if its inside the spring assembly.
How do you get it out of the spring--I mean I guess it comes out through the bottom..but unless the car is way off the ground like on a lift..how will I get the old one out and new one in...Jeffry

Jeffry,

It seems that pulling it out thru the bottom would be the only way, unless you compress the spring and take it out as well, allowing you to kind of tip it out at the top end?

http://www.volvotechinfo.com/ has the factory manual devoted to the multilink rear suspension... about $20 if I recall...

-Paul Demeo
1990 780T

Sorry, sorry. You have IRS. I understand now. Forget everything. I have never worked on IRS cars. I am happy to scan and mail you the relevant pages from the Haynes manual if you send me an e-mail but that is as far as I can help. I am sure others know more. However, I have been told that when you have IRS and Nivomats, no conversion is possible.

George
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1987 745 GLE Turbodiesel Intercooler (D24TIC/M46) 190k and 1988 745 Turbo Intercooler (B230FT/M46) 290k