Volvo XC70 - replace rear shock absorbers (self leveling - nivomat)

This is completely different from the standard V70. The shock absorbers do not drop out from the bottom on the XC70. In fact, following the V70 procedure on the XC70 will get you in loads of problems, since loosening the top shock bolt will decompress the spring and there’s the few hundred kilograms of force in there…

Finding replacement shocks is a royal pain. Standard Volvo nivomat shocks seem to cost about 600EUR a piece. Aftermarket Sachs shocks cost the same. I got lucky and found a Volvo replacement set consisting of two shocks, two springs, anti roll bar and some nuts and bolts for 905EUR.

The whole procedure took me 4.5 hours for the first side (first time doing this), 2.5 for the other.

A few things I learned:
-there is a bolt in the trunk that holds the shock mount in place from the top, there’s no mention of this in the Volvo documentation
-the control arm really wants to spring back up when you remove the shock absorber; chuck a piece of wood between the control arm and bump stop shield to prevent it from doing so, this makes life so much easier since pushing the arm back down takes a lot of force
-prying the shock off the arm takes quite some force
-make sure the new spring is properly seated in the rubber
-getting the shock back on the arm takes even more force
-use a jack to jack the shock up a few mm to align it with the arm
-use a piece of wood and a hammer to tap (whack) the shock absorber into perfect alignment with the control arm
-“persuade” the absorber onto the control arm with a hammer. Half a cm/quarter inch is enough, remove the jack and tap it on the rest of the way

[suryadeephooda]

You’re the only person I’ve found with a video on this type of suspension. My xc70 doesn’t have nivomats but it’s the same mounting structure. Every other video is a different mounting structure. Still trying to line up the lower end of strut to mount it but thanks for the video!

[Lvvcassss]

I've got the V70 AWD, and I hope the construction is the same. Every other tutorial on the net shows how to do it on a FWD one and not with nivomats...

[legambaz]

Excellent! This is so helpful. Is it mandatory to replace spring when replacing the Nivomat shocks? Or you did it just because you got a deal for the entire set?

[JB-subi]

Thanks for sharing. What are your symptoms for having to change these? My XC90 is really loose at the rear end, I’ve replaced the trailing arm bush where it connects to the chassis.. still really loose and lots of dangerous sway when towing the caravan on highway. Any advice greatly appreciated. Thanks

[tedstewart]

Great video, does the bump stop just push in or is there a bolt ?

[mallardc]

Great video and have this job to do on my car - can you tell me who supplied the parts - I am UK based. many thanks

[nigeltoon]

Now I understand why you said to use a block of wood. A scissor jack placed between the arm and the upper bump stop isn’t recommended!