Rear Suspension Problem 1996 850 Tla

[trv8k]

Hello.

I'm new to the Volvo world.

I've recently purchased a 1996 850 Platinum Turbo Wagon (see pic).

I feel that the car is sitting low in the rear.

After inspection of the rear shocks it seems that the previous

owner swapped out the original self leveling Nivomats with

Bilstien shocks without apparently changing the stock springs

with aftermarket wagon specific springs.

Now, I have a decision to make. And my question is what would

give the car a better ride with decent handling characteristics?

Should I put the original (expensive) Nivos back in or should

I get some aftermarket springs? If so .. Which springs?

Of if I should go with the Nivos ... Where could I get a set

at a reasonable price? They are hard to find online.

Or do I have any other options???

Please help from other wagon owners out there who has

or had the self leveling Nivomats. I'm having a hard

time finding options out there regarding this.

Thanks in advance.

[Stamperman]

Hello.

I'm new to the Volvo world.

I've recently purchased a 1996 850 Platinum Turbo Wagon (see pic).

I feel that the car is sitting low in the rear.

After inspection of the rear shocks it seems that the previous

owner swapped out the original self leveling Nivomats with

Bilstien shocks without apparently changing the stock springs

with aftermarket wagon specific springs.

Now, I have a decision to make. And my question is what would

give the car a better ride with decent handling characteristics?

Should I put the original (expensive) Nivos back in or should

I get some aftermarket springs? If so .. Which springs?

Of if I should go with the Nivos ... Where could I get a set

at a reasonable price? They are hard to find online.

Or do I have any other options???

Please help from other wagon owners out there who has

or had the self leveling Nivomats. I'm having a hard

time finding options out there regarding this.

Thanks in advance.

Keep the Bilsteins and buy a decent set of aftermarket springs. The nivo's are outragously expensive. I personally prefer Eibach's, as I think they have the best ride/handeling comprimise. Other spring may give better handleing when driving on the edge, but I don't see the use for them on street driven car.

My $.02

[erikv11]

What color are the Bilstein shocks, are they yellow (HD) or black (Touring)?

What do you have on the front, stock or Bilsteins (if so what color)?

[trv8k]

The rear Bilsteins are black. So, I assume they are the touring kind.

I believe the front is stock. I know the struts are at least black.

If I were to use aftermarket springs ... will it level the car out?

Because right now the rear is sagging because the stock springs,

which are designed for the Nivos, are on the soft side. I read somewhere

(perhaps here) that the Nivos take most of the load.

Also, will the aftermarket springs impove the ride and handling??

Where is a good place to get them? I looked at IPD and they just

have lowering springs.

[erikv11]

for stock fcpgroton.com is always good. you can buy OEM from them (ask them for a price) or they have aftermarket on their web page for your car's suspension.

or eEuroparts.com is often a little cheaper than fcp and will definitely have a stock replacement.

If you want improved performance from your springs, there is a load of reading available in the performance forum. Do a search or try posting over there maybe someone will throw you a bone. But most go with lowering springs if they want improved performance. And you'd almost certainly have to replace all four springs if you go with any kind of upgrade.

I replaced my car's 140k stock rear springs with 50k stock springs and it improved handling. If you've got the mushy Nivo springs then stock will certainly be a step up (no pun intended ..).

[erikv11]

for stock fcpgroton.com is always good. you can buy OEM from them (ask them for a price) or they have aftermarket on their web page for your car's suspension.

or eEuroparts.com is often a little cheaper than fcp and will definitely have a stock replacement.

If you want improved performance from your springs, there is a load of reading available in the performance forum. Do a search or try posting over there maybe someone will throw you a bone. But most go with lowering springs if they want improved performance. And you'd almost certainly have to replace all four springs if you go with any kind of upgrade.

I replaced my car's 140k stock rear springs with 50k stock springs and it improved handling. If you've got the mushy Nivo springs then stock will certainly be a step up (no pun intended ..).

Bilstein TC are pretty close to stock, unless you're thinking of upgrading struts too, a pair of rear, stock springs may be your best bet for now. Try a PM to RussB, I think he recently put in stock springs from fcpgroton.

[trv8k]

I've actually called and talked with someone at fcpgroton.com.

He said my only choice was to go back to the Nivomats.

I'm not sure if the person I've talked with was typical but

he didn't seem to know what he was talking about.

I seemed to know more about my car, in which I've

only owned for (2) weeks, than he ("the expert") did.

Are the aftermarket Eibach's lowering springs?

Or will they maintain the stock height?

Because I'm leaning towards those.

I know they make good performance springs but

because I will be taking trips with the car and loading

it with stuff, I would prefer to keep the stock ride height.

Thanks guys.

[850maybe]

Doesn't IPD have OVERLOAD SPRINGS on their website? If you're going to be loading the cargo area these may be the ones you want. I would think that by installing these that not only will you regain your ride height but also the ability to put heavier loads in the cargo section without sagging.

850 sedan, S70 1993-2000 rear overload springs WS8544 $148.00 13.5000

Just a thought from a fellow wagon NooB.

[trv8k]

Doesn't IPD have LOAD SPRINGS on their website? If you're going to be loading the cargo area these may be the ones you want. I would think that by installing these that not only will you regain your ride height but also the ability to put heavier loads in the cargo section without sagging.

Just a thought from a fellow wagon NooB.

Overload springs? I thought about that. I've called IPD asking them about that and they said that those springs may

make the ride harsher. I think the ride is harsh enough. Besides, it's not like I'm going to haul around 500 lbs.

I just basically need the car to be at the stock ride height. I may entertain springs that may lower it some from

the stock height. I just don't like the way it is sitting now. It's sagging too much now because of the bad

spring/shock combo I have. However, the overload springs is an option which I'm still considering.

Do you or anyone else use overload springs? If so, How's the ride/handling??

Thanks to the fellow wagon NooB.

[trv8k]

Thanks again for the help.

Anybody else have any suggestions??

[Vulvo Grease]

I've actually called and talked with someone at fcpgroton.com.

He said my only choice was to go back to the Nivomats.

I'm not sure if the person I've talked with was typical but

he didn't seem to know what he was talking about.

I seemed to know more about my car, in which I've

only owned for (2) weeks, than he ("the expert") did.

Are the aftermarket Eibach's lowering springs?

Or will they maintain the stock height?

Because I'm leaning towards those.

I know they make good performance springs but

because I will be taking trips with the car and loading

it with stuff, I would prefer to keep the stock ride height.

Thanks guys.

Eibach are lowering springs. You will need to change the front springs too if you go with those.

You should be ok with stock springs. It is a pretty easy job to do yourself. You will also need to buy new spring seats (rubber ring that pads the spring).

[trv8k]

I guess I will lean towards the (non-nivo) stock springs.

It's probably the best bet. Though I'm tempted to go

with Eibachs front and back to give the car a more aggressive look.

I'm just glad I have more options than to just go back to the Nivos.

Thanks for the help guys.

[CA855R]

I guess I will lean towards the (non-nivo) stock springs.

It's probably the best bet. Though I'm tempted to go

with Eibachs front and back to give the car a more aggressive look.

I'm just glad I have more options than to just go back to the Nivos.

Thanks for the help guys.

Now is the time to upgrade! My choice would be to get some lowering springs all around and to change the front strut at the same time. Seems that its still the original and probably worn out by now. It does make a noticable difference for the better, when this part is changed. I kept my Nivomats and changed the struts to yellow Bils. The ride height on my R is about right but now want to add some IPD sway bars for better handling. You might want to consider adding some bars also since you are going to redo the suspension anyway. Go for the whole package. It will put a smile on your face! :D

[trv8k]

Now is the time to upgrade! My choice would be to get some lowering springs all around and to change the front strut at the same time. Seems that its still the original and probably worn out by now. It does make a noticable difference for the better, when this part is changed. I kept my Nivomats and changed the struts to yellow Bils. The ride height on my R is about right but now want to add some IPD sway bars for better handling. You might want to consider adding some bars also since you are going to redo the suspension anyway. Go for the whole package. It will put a smile on your face!

Where's the best place to get the whole package?

It sounds tempting.

[Vulvo Grease]

Where's the best place to get the whole package?

It sounds tempting.

I bought Konis Adjustable and Eibachs from Shox.com. It was a pretty good deal and they had a shipping promo at the time.

There is tons of discussions here on the pros and cons of all the variables by brand, ride quality etc. Many like Weitec cup but they are a hassle to buy in the states.

My R had the nivomats that went bad so I decided to spend the extra bucks and do the entire suspension since I needed new springs to convert to standard shocks. I am at 100K so the front struts were bad anyway.

The eibachs are lower than my R springs, it looks very cool.

Dont forget to replace the spring seats up fron too. Everyone recommends going with OEM there as the Scantech apparently suck.