Anyone ever replace the springs and leave worn nivomats n to be replaced at a later time? Do they still dampen? Short on cash, and I'd rather convert the rear in steps. The car is an '88 760 sedan. I need to be able to use it while working on my new aquisition (which will also require funds), a 92 Saab 900S. The 760 will only be used occasionally, then once the Saab's done, (inner drivers). the 760 can be finished...
TIA,
MArk

Just wondering why you think you must replace the springs. IMHO, the best bang for the buck in the rear suspension is to leave the springs alone and replace the nivomats. This past Fall, I worked on the rear suspension on my '90 760GLT and found nothing wrong with the springs. The nivomats were a different story, totally shot. This was the major source of sag. I have no regrets spending the dinero. If Volvo wanted regular shocks for IRS-multilink, they wouldn't use nivomats. Again, just an opinion. Perhaps you have discovered issues with your springs that you don't mention.

Mike

The reason for the sag would not be due to a defect in the spring but rather a design goal of softening the ride by having the shock do part of the ride height positioning and allowing softer springs. In a solid axle Volvo with Nivomats the springs are 1mm thinner---low cost repair is to replace the springs and shocks with standard items.--Dave

If I could find a pair of Nivomats for cheap, that would be ideal. The problem is not all of us can drop the $$$. If I had the income to purchase new Nivomats, I'd be driving a 200TQ right now...
Used ones aren't easy to find, either...

I think it would make more sense to replace the shocks with standard ones and then shim (Home Depot galvanized washers) the springs to get your ride height back until you replace the springs too. Those "drivers" on the Saab can sure cause annoying vibrations--one of those jobs that reward you with a huge payoff. I have a box of various used and new parts for a '93 900S. --- Dave

Better yet--find a normal 740 at your local wrecking yard and get the springs and shocks in one shot -- they're easy enough to do.-- Dave

The problem with the 740 swap is I have the '88 withthe independant rear suspension... The shocks have a different mounting too, which would need to be fabricated, which is why I was leaning to replacing the springs. They're soo soft, I don't know if shimming would do any good...
Still gotta get under the Saab to see if it is the drivers. It happens when turning right, and sometimes straight ahead. Also on takeoff, but not always. The drivers side axle was replaced in November, and is under warranty. I'm going to look at the motor mounts too...
Got any good inner drivers in that batch of '93 parts?
Cheers,
Mark

Dang, I forgot about the difference in the indy rear suspension cars and which cars had them. I think you have a transverse leaf spring or torsion bar--I don't have any first hand experience with that setup. Are there indy rear cars without the nivomats? If so, that's the spring you need, to get the car height normal. About the SAAB---the drivers off the differential are often overlooked when changing the CV joint or shaft--and that's usually at some kind of high mileage in those cars--when you wipe out the old grease from the cups of the drivers, the inside surface will have a machined feeling groove down the center--all the way around---that's the wear from the tri-joint while the car is in the straight ahead driving position. Lean into a turn--even a 70 mph highway curve--and the rollers are chattering away inside the drivers as they change position causing the vibration in the steering. Congrats on keeping up one of the original series 900's. A much nicer car to drive than the later 900S and 9-3 derivatives--my wife has gone from an '81 Turbo to an '89 900S to a '95 900S and now a '99 9-3. The '81 was my favorite--had the original TRX tires and shocks and was awesome on the highway. Of course, as far as the automatics go, the later 4 speed is way better. A buddy of mine just picked up a '91 Turbo convertible-blown motor/auto--he replaced the motor and converted to stick.--- Dave

I still have coils springs around the Nivo's. Late 960's had the transverse leaf.
To mu knowledge, ALL IRS 700/900's had Nivomats, thus the light springs.

Weird thing with the Saab, is I only get the chatter when turning right, not when turning left. I'd think that the drivers would cause a problem regardless, as the rollers would move in relation to the driver when that side is under compression OR extension. If the shop didn't lubricate the drivers properly, would it be considered their fault? The car has only 110k on it. I've also heard that the passenger side usually goes first, due to the proximity of the exhaust (cooks the grease).
Cheers!
Mark

Nothings going to change the way they dampen short of replacement.

They seem to dampen somewhat, just sag...