In the course of replacing a my left rear bearing on my 2006 XC90 we found out the left rear spring was broken. My mechanic said it was not something he could get through his traditional suppliers (Napa and Advance) but told me I could probably find one on ebay. In doing my research I discovered some models have self leveling gas shocks and some don't. I determined that mine does have the self-leveling shock based on the code on the engine plate (contains "26"). (I'm not sure why that info is so difficult to find but it is.) Anyways I found the right aftermarket spring made by Lesjofor for the self leveling shock and brought it to my mechanic. I go to pick it up today and he says there was a problem with the shock. They had to remove the shock to get the spring in and the top mounting bolt of the shock broke off so they got a new one from Napa and put it in. I asked if it was the self leveling gas shock and he said I don't know. It was the one they said fit my vehicle and it went right in. He also said it was a lot thinner. So I asked to look at the old one and it did have the accordian boot which is another indicator of the self leveling shock. I asked if the new one had a similar boot and he said yes. I told him I don't think it was a self leveling shock because they are more expensive and probably not available through Napa. He says I wouldn't worry about it. It fits. The car has 210K miles on it. I looked up the part number for the shock he put in and I am sure it is not self leveling (KYB 553382). So my question is do I just drive it with one self leveling shock and one that's not? Will I notice dfference or is there a safety issue - we bought this for my teenagers drive - slow, safe, very uncool and good in our Maine winters. My mechanic is good but not familiar with volvos - no one is around here - so I think it was an honest mistake. If anything I blame the Napa for not telling him there was a differnent option. Or is it worth the trouble and money to order the right shock and pay him to replace the one he put in.

 

The springs used with a Nivomat (self leveling) shock are lighter. The Nivomat provides some support as a spring would, and a normal shock (NAPA) does not. SO - if you use a normal shock with a spring for a nivomat - that corner will sag - it will sit a couple of inches lower.

A nivomat shock is also very expensive. Maybe $350 each.

 

I was kind of afraid of that. Cost wise it would be a lot cheaper to get the beefier spring that goes with the traditional shock. But as far as handling and cornering and tire wear will there be any safety concerns or significant differences?

 

Not sure - there's no data on that - perhaps you could be the first test case!

Nivomat on one side and a Napa shock on the other.

Honestly it might not make a difference - until there was a panic situation and you wanted the engineering of the car to be the best it could be.