2000 T&C Rear leveling suspension

[Fred D.]

HI,

I would like to replace my leaking NIVOMAT Self leveling shock absorbers
with some regular Monroes. Besides the shock mount bolt being a different size. Can I do This without any problems ??? I have being given many different stories by dealers.

Thanks for your help in advance,

Fred D.

[Bernard Feltzer]

You could do that if you want, but the leveling system will no longer function.
Use the heavy duty shocks, fatter than the stock regular shocks.

[vipergg]

Originally Posted by Fred D.

HI,

I would like to replace my leaking NIVOMAT Self leveling shock absorbers
with some regular Monroes. Besides the shock mount bolt being a different size. Can I do This without any problems ??? I have being given many different stories by dealers.

Thanks for your help in advance,

Fred D.

What you don't want to dish out $300-400 a piece for shocks . I don't understand .. :-) I'm in the same boat down the road , have them on our 2004 .

[xj31]

I was told that the ones with the nivomats have weaker leaf springs,so if you put regular shocks,it is supposed to sag in the back,esp.with a load.This was from a chrysler technical training class a few years back.I don't know if this is true though,because I have never seen it done.It makes sense because those shocks do carry a lot of the load when they pump up.

[vipergg]

Originally Posted by xj31

I was told that the ones with the nivomats have weaker leaf springs,so if you put regular shocks,it is supposed to sag in the back,esp.with a load.This was from a chrysler technical training class a few years back.I don't know if this is true though,because I have never seen it done.It makes sense because those shocks do carry a lot of the load when they pump up.

Definetly not your normal shocks , if take a look at them they are huge and look like they belong on 2500 heavy duty pickup .

[xj31]

Those shocks are not normal.They have some kind of valving inside that pumps them up when you go over bumps when you have a load on them.If you take the load off,the back of the van sits high up and they pump back down when you drive.

[sak22]

Fred D....

I have a 97 Town & Country LXi with the Load Leveling Suspension and replaced those shocks a while back when they went bad with a set of Monroe Heavy Duty shocks. There was absolutely ZERO modifications... They fit in there perfectly. However... Even with the heavy duty shocks, the van still sags a bit in the back under a load (kids, lots of suitcases etc...) With no load, it's just fine... sits a little bit higher than level. Thought about replacing leaf springs, but I can live with the slight droop under load. Most of the time, the van is not under any significant load anyway so I'm not concernde about it. Hope this helps.

[briksay]

The Nivomat shocks are definitely expensive from the dealers. Those shocks supply a specific amount of lift to the rear of the vehicle. Replacing them with regular shocks will make the vehicle sag like 500#s of rocks are in the rear. You can buy a new set of Nivomats on Ebay for the Chrysler minivans for $250. That is a lot less than the $700 to $800 at the dealer. At $250 for a set that is cheaper than converting when you include the new heavier springs.

Thanks
Brian