Hey all, the new-to-me S90 is sagging a bit in the back.

It currently does not have Nivomats installed, but have read incorrectly installed traditional Shocks in a Nivomat car could cause sagging. IIs there a way to tell from the VIN whether this car had Nivomats from factory?

The alternative is a worn out leaf spring, is this a common problem for 960/S90s?

Thanks for the reply. A lot of good info included. I’ve found out that I do NOT in fact have a Nivomat car, the suspension code indicates standard rear shocks. I guess I just have to get under there and investigate!

If you have IRS, the only 'spring' is that silly transverse composite material leaf spring. The IRS would need additional support as the Nivomat dampers include a spring in the assembly.

I cannot understand why you would use IRS with such soft front and rear spring (sprung) suspension. I'm sort of critical of the IRS notion, to deliver a sort of adjustable rear wheel camber so the tire tread width maintains optimal contact with the road surface on, well, more spirited maneuvers. The rear axle half shaft on the IRS use constant-velocity joint sealed inside flex boots and these would benefit from inspection, cleaning, and re-lubrication on occasion. The solid live axle on later 700 and 900 series have rear suspension add ons, such as the cage secure to the front of the differential, with extra bushings, that require inspection and replacement. Critical of the design, I am.

Anyhoo, some diagrams for you to help you:

Here is on diagram of the left side 97-98 IRS when viewed from the rear:



From here:
https://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-s90-v90-40/rear-suspension-bushing-question-74426/

The Volvo parts webstore page seems to corroborate your assertion that 97-98 S90s so equipped with IRS may or may not have self-leveling as that is an option.

As clear as mud for me.

http://www.swedishautoparts.com/S90/Volvo-S90-suspension-rear.html

So, the the non-Nivomat 97-98 rear IRS would need rear dampers with spring assist, like coilovers? Or would these use coil springs in addition to the leaf spring.

I'm unsure.
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As I understand it, there are at least 2, possibly 3 different leaf springs produced for these cars.

-Nivomat equipped cars have the weakest leaf spring (because, as you noted, Nivomats actually help suspend the car).

-Traditional rear shock cars have a beefier leaf spring than Nivomat cars.

-There may be an even stronger spring for V90/965s for the third row seat/extra cargo. I read about wagon owners using sedan leaf springs as an OEM way to lower their car.

My confusion stems from the fact that there are no accounts of these leaf springs weakening over time!

I guess if you do not have the spring assist Nivomats, the non-self leveling IRS includes on of the two heavier transverse springs.

I see only one of three available here (we're interested in the part #s):

Swedish Autoparts: VOLVO S90 SUSPENSION REAR 1997-1998
http://www.swedishautoparts.com/S90/Volvo-S90-suspension-rear.html

If you can find the part number on it, maybe you can find another transverse leaf spring of heavier rating?

Else, if no Nivomat, yet with a multi-link rear suspension, and the press indicates you do, all dampers I find are gas-charged with no coil over.

Also, if only found at the Volvo stealership, try Tasca Volvo parts. The various Volvo parts outlets show all leaf springs as NLA.

Avoid Made in Mexico Sachs. I'm unsure even Volvo OEM.

Also, for the number of miles, consider rear suspension bushing inspection and replacement.

As an aside ... if you are unsure when the two timing belts were replaced, consider replacement of them. The white block B6304 is an interference engine. Also, proper coolant replacement (distilled water or premix), and so on.

There exists a Volvo TSB (tech service bulletin) on timing belt replacement interval. Though I'm unsure how frequently.

https://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/EngineSealsBeltsVent.htm#960TimingBeltChange
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Sachs are now made in Mexico? I was about to order a set of their struts and shocks for my '94 945. Who makes shocks and struts for Volvo now? Thank you for the information.

I see you have 1993 and 1994 900 series in your account post history. So, this thread on 1997-1998 S90 does not relate to you. If you have IRS with Nivomat, your 93-94 900, I guess, uses coil springs at the rear. And Nivomat rear dampers remain available. You can also upgrade the springs and use 'regular' dampers.


If purchased through Volvo, or Volvo brand through a retail parts outlet, some products are made in Europa and some not.

In the North American after market, when you look at the iPd or FCP Euro sites, more so iPd, you will see Sachs by Boge or Boge by Sachs. Sachs set-up a factory in Mexico sometime before Boge purchased Sachs. ZF, in turn, purchased Boge.

https://www.ipdusa.com/products/7450/100202-rear-shock-700-900

So, dampers are usually marked as made in Mexico.

FCP Euro appears not to sell self-leveling Nivomats. Recent posts may indicate self-leveling options made by other manufacturer. Though I am uncertain as the 700-900-90 IRS changed from introduction in the late 1980s to 1998.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo-shock-absorber-740-760-780-940-170-153

You may want to begin a new post on the topic to find solutions.

iPd offers what appear bolt-in upgrade options to stiffer rear springs and non-self-leveling dampers for IRS and non-IRS live-axle rear suspensions at maybe a premium price point for 700-900 that came from the factory with self-leveling Nivomats and coil springs.

You will find disappointment in trolling posts on the Made in Mexico Sachs or what are sometimes called Boge. Yet you have Bilstein (B6) HD, Bilstein (B4) Touring, and Koni.

Also consider rear suspension bushing inspection and replacement whether live axle or the more critical IRS.

Hope that halps.
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Not aware of the leaf springs significantly weakening over time. You are probably fine with just new shocks. If your suspension has coil springs too then those are more likely to be the cause of sagging rather than the leaf springs.

Howdy KGV! Hope the weather is better in the MW than here in cold, dreary NE.... - 2 timing belts? Just one. Did you mean the serpentine belt? Good idea to change the serpentine belt at the same time as the timing belt. If the tensioner is original it should probably be changed too although those should last through 2 timing belt changes. The water pumps in these engines are robust and normally last 200k+. The timing belt interval is 70k. That is also the interval on my former 95 850 GLT. Same engine but one less cylinder. The very early 960's had a shorter interval. All that said, if the belt was last changed more than 10 years ago it should be replaced. Rubber deterioration....:)

jlvolvo - Look for timing belt change sticker under the hood. Or maybe you have repair records??

Hiya Mr. Walker!

Three days on and it is about the same at both our locales. Cloudy and a little below 40° F on your happy Sundae evening!

Yeah, sorry. For some reason I was picturing the B63xx using two timing belts like the B234 does. No counterbalance shaft on B63xx engines. Oooop! D'oh!

*****

Any issue with the harmonic balancer crank pulley on B6304? It has a rubber bushing like on B2xx yes? Is that a wear item you replace?

*****

I'd always been taken with the 1997-1998 S and V 90 with the OHC whiteblock I-6. Sort of a two finger gesture at BMW and Mercedes a bit with their luxury and performance inline six engine offerings.

Though for all that the RWD S and V 90, I'd like the manual transmission they came with in the owld country across the 'pond' as with an engine like that, I'd rather take it through the shift gates. Though I'd still drive it like an elderly person. The road are so bad here, you really can't go much faster than the speed limits or as traffic flows. So many people texting while driving here. Even at night you see the mobile device light up the driver's face on the highway. It's awful!

I miss the Pacific Northwest of the mighty I-90. Smooth road surface, well marked, wide lanes and shoulder's. Also, Wyoming has red highways and it is lovely to drive through like Montana.

Love to have a six cylinder. Still want a 1972 164 with M410. Or, maybe find a well beloved S or V 90 and swap in the M90L or better? Or weld the third gear synchro and swap it in?

So, we hope for a 164 someday.

Happy warming days. The dog awful five months of excess heat and unending humidity and pollution will be here. Oh, the pollution is awful here.

Happy Sundae,

The can label has "Yams" printed on it. The ingredients indicate sweet potatoes.
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I actually just received the last necessary part to replace the timing belt, you guys are right- an unreplaced timing belt could spell death for one of these engines! I will try replacing the shocks and report back on the results. Thanks guys.

I guess you've reviewed the 700-900-90(RWD) Series FAQ entry on Rear Suspension?

https://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/RearSuspension.htm

If S90 (1997-1998) or 960 sedan after (?) 1994, you have the independent rear suspension (IRS) using the single composite material transverse leaf spring. So, replacement Nivomats may be a limited option.

How many miles? If not recently, the IRS suspension has many bushings and other fittings that may need replacement or at least inspection. I'm unsure. You may also want to review the front suspension bushing. Is variable rear wheel camber really that useful?

Or conversion from the leaf spring to coil springs with some fabrication:

See "960 Nivomat Conversion [Bruce Kessler]"

https://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/NivomatConversion1.htm

You may want to search the brickboard and the Turbobricks forum for more 960/990 series IRS service and conversion to coil spring options. The FAQ here is not an exhaustive or current discussion of your options with IRS.

New Nivomats may be the quickest solution.

Tasca Volvo Parts in Rhode Island have these for 232$ each

https://www.tascaparts.com/oem-parts/volvo-shock-absorber-9173200




About 50$ cheaper than FCP Euro.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo-rear-shock-absorber-nivomat-960-s90-marked-u

Not considering shipment price if any. The Nivomats may may be availkable from Volvo only, or in Volvo branded box only.

I'm unsure if the composite material leaf spring fatigues. I guess it may over time. Though the Nivomat spring assist yet more so, the Nivomat 'pump up' action, is what makes for a level ride.

Recent posts here do suggest non-Nivomat self-leveling options, I guess, for IRS equipped.

iPd does not support the 960/90 IRS equipped. Though iPd offers conversions away from Nivomat, all of these option are for the solid 'live axle' only. Not useful for you.

Hope that helps.
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