The Brick Newsletter - January 2012

Suspension Upgrades?

Suspension upgrades can be confusing to the average Volvo owner. The handling characteristics are probably not what drew you to these cars, as they are not noted as great performers in this area. Safety, longevity and utility are the main features that draw people to Volvos but there have always been a small percentage of Volvo owners who want better handling and improved responsiveness. Providing suspension upgrades for these drivers is how ipd got started and these are still our best selling parts.

Most suspension upgrades we offer will significantly improve the handling of your car, resulting in more predictable and responsive handling. This translates into a more comfortable and secure driving environment, making your car safer for you and your passengers.

If you are still unclear after reading about these upgrades, feel free to give our staff a call. They are trained to help provide solutions that will best address your concerns. Not everybody wants to build a sports car, but most drivers will appreciate a well-planned and thought out suspension upgrade that will provide years of service and driving pleasure.

Performance Shocks for Your High-Performance Volvo

If maximum ride control, handling performance, and long life are what you want, then Bilstein Heavy Duty or Koni Sport shocks are for you. At this level of quality, shocks and struts become the “defining feel” of your car. Both of these options are recognized by passionate Volvo enthusiasts as the best shocks and struts available for 200, 700, and 900 series models. When combined with upgrades like lowering springs, sway bars, and chassis braces, the outstanding performance potential of your favorite Volvo can be brought to life. Which brand is better? Well, that’s hard to determine, as both provide top-of-the-line performance. For most enthusiasts, it boils down to ride preference. The low pressure gas Konis feel a bit softer in the early stages of the suspension travel while the Bilsteins have a tighter “gas-charged” feel right from the start.

KONI Shocks & Struts

• Top level sport performance, yet compliant at low speeds• Adjustable rebound control• Popular alternative to Bilstein when comfort is also important• Made in Holland of top quality materials• Not uncommon for Konis to last 100,000 miles or more• Lifetime warranty

Bilstein Heavy Duty Shocks & Struts

• Best performing for Sport / Enthusiast• Premium German construction & materials• On the firm side, but not too harsh• Patented digressive valving minimizes sharp impacts• Most popular enthusiast upgrade shocks• Not uncommon for Bilsteins to last 100,000 miles or more• Lifetime warranty

See Application and Pricing Below

Exceptional Quality in a Long Life Shock

If you’re proud of your Volvo, plan on keeping it for a few years, and are looking for a budget priced performance shock, then consider upgrading to Boge Turbo Gas or Bilstein Touring Class dampers. They provide exceptional ride quality as well as improved safety and handling. Both dampers give excellent performance for the price and offer a ride a bit firmer than stock shocks without feeling too stiff for the daily commute or family hauling. These shocks and struts are gas charged, come with a lifetime warranty and will work well on both stock height and lowered cars.

BOGE Turbo Gas Shocks & Struts

• Budget upgrade for most non-turbo models• Twin tube gas design; not too stiff on the family hauler• Most popular replacement: good price & performance• Lifetime warranty, typically last 50,000 to 60,000 miles

Bilstein Touring Shocks & Struts

• Engineering and valving by Bilstein• Economical twin tube gas design• Popular budget upgrade, a little stiffer than the Boge Turbo Gas• Lifetime warranty, typically last 60,000 to 75,000 miles

See Application and Pricing Below

Shocks & Struts for the Budget-Minded

If you’re on a budget and want the best value in replacement shocks and struts that offer performance and ride quality equal to what your Volvo offered when it was new, then Boge Automatics are a good choice. Boge Automatics have a 2-year warranty, are what came stock on most Volvos, and will provide good performance for several years. Boge Automatics are not recommended for lowered cars.

Shock and Strut Fitment Guide

News on Nivomats

It’s a little known fact that all 760, 780, 940SE & 960s have self-leveling rear suspension. Most owners are unaware of this system as it is fully self-contained and has no external parts such as a compressor or air lines. The Nivomat self-leveling system that Volvo uses is designed and manufactured by Sachs (Boge). The heart of the system is the Nivomat self-leveling shock which works in conjunction with a lightweight coil spring. In simple terms, the Nivomat shock pumps itself up to normal ride height when loaded. For example, if you put a couple of hundred pounds in the trunk or cargo area of your wagon, the back will sag down a couple of inches. It will stay this way until you begin driving. As you drive, the normal movement of the suspension will gradually raise the rear of your car to the normal height, usually within a mile or two.

For more technical and detailed information on how Nivomats work check out this article: http://www.brakeandfrontend.com/Article/48215/nivomat_shock_absorbers_selfleveling_monotube_ride_control_units.aspx

Ongoing Sagging Problem?

If your car seems to sag all the time, it’s possible that the Nivomat shocks are worn out or were mistakenly replaced with ordinary shocks. Since the Nivomat shocks actually play a part in holding the car up (conventional shocks don’t), when they’re removed the car will be about 2’ lower in the rear, even if new shocks have been fitted. Often, we get calls from customers and even repair shops wondering why a particular Volvo now rests low in the back after installing new shocks. The photo below shows the difference between Nivomats and stock shocks. The large rubber accordion boot is the simplest way to identify the Nivomat shock.

If your car is parked for extended periods (more than a day or two), the car may settle a little, which is normal. However, the difference from driver side rear to passenger side rear should be less than 9/16’.

Is It Self-Leveling?

To check the operation of the self-leveling function, park on a flat surface, measure from the center of the fender lip to the lowest part of the wheel lip, and record your measurement (A) of both driver’s and passenger’s side rear. Now load the trunk or cargo area with about 300 lbs. The car will sag a little. Drive the car of couple of miles, then park in the same spot where you took your first measurement, and measure again with weight still in car. The permissible deviation is -3/4” to +5/16”.

For example, if your unloaded measurement was 20”, the acceptable loaded measurement would have to fall between 19 3/16’ and 20 5/16’. Keep in mind that the allowable difference from side to side is 9/16’. If the results don’t fall within the acceptable range, the shock absorbers in question should be replaced. A light oil film is normal, but if oil leakage appears excessive, replacement may be necessary.

Failed Nivomats? What next?

Nivomat Conversion

Cure for the Saggy Bottom Blues

All 760 models, 780 and 940 SE sedans 1983 to 1994 are equipped with a self leveling independent rear suspension known as the Nivomat system. This system uses a special shock and spring combination to maintain ride height even when the car is fully loaded. When the shocks fail, the rear of the car will begin to sag noticeably even when it is unloaded. Nivomat shocks are over $390 each from the dealer, so we have developed this economical kit that converts the rear suspension to a conventional shock-and-spring set-up.

Our conversion kit with specially modified shocks and custom springs is less than the cost of a single Nivomat from your dealer and our kits will provide better handling and ride quality. These shocks also have a lifetime warranty compared with only one year on Nivomats purchased from your dealer. Kits include two specially built shocks and springs for mounting in the stock locations with no need for modification. Professional installation recommended as the springs in the independent rear suspension can be difficult to remove. This kit could save you over $500.00 compared with the cost of two new Nivomat shocks from your dealer. -Nivomat rear shocks are automatic self leveling and used on the models below.-