Zw7 nivomat questions

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

me262

TYF Newbie
Joined
Dec 1, 2024
Posts
23
Reaction score
5
Can't find where this has been addressed...so here we go!

2002 yukon xl 1500with ZW7 nivomats. Looking at different options:

Replace with nivomat type shocks...$600+
Replace with stiffer springs and conventional shocks
Replace with stiffer springs and air shocks
Replace with spring shocks and leave original zw7 springs

Then the question of front shocks and what to use there...i assume just coventional heavy duty shocks regardless of what rear shock option???

Anybody got any ideas???

Thks!
 

Joseph Garcia

Elite Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Aug 2, 2018
Posts
10,521
Reaction score
15,268
Go to RockAuto.com or GMPartsDirect.com and enter your vin. This should give you the correct front shocks GM part number. Then, you can decide to go OEM or compatible aftermarket replacement.

Many Nimovat-related threads on this Forum. This is a unique shock that provides both dampening and leveling combined. IMO, if you have Nimovats, you should replace them with Nimovats.

Other folks will chime in.
 

Fless

Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Apr 2, 2017
Posts
16,618
Reaction score
34,395
Location
People's Republic of Colorado
ZW7 front shocks for yours are different from non-ZW7 shocks. Take a look at the KYB catalog (KYB Catalog) for options. Stay away from the Excel-G series; we've heard enough about the issues with them.

What's the reason for the desire to change the suspension parts? I have the original Nivomat rear shocks on mine and they still work (self-adjust) good. I did replace the fronts with KG5040 shocks, but I didn't notice much difference from the OE shocks.
 
OP
OP
M

me262

TYF Newbie
Joined
Dec 1, 2024
Posts
23
Reaction score
5
Im not sure the nivomats are still working. This is a 2002. Seems im getting a lot of bounce but maybe its just the front shocks???
 

Joseph Garcia

Elite Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Aug 2, 2018
Posts
10,521
Reaction score
15,268
Test it. With the truck on, measure the height to your rear wheel well.

Turn the truck off and add 200-300 lbs. of anything in the rear (people, if you have a couple of people).

Measure the height to your rear wheel well, and presumably it dropped a bit.

Take the truck for a short spin around the block with the extra weight still in the rear.

With the truck still on and weight still inside, measure the height to your rear wheel well.

Did the truck regain its original height? ==>> Nimovats are working.
 

mattbta

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2012
Posts
1,194
Reaction score
2,241
Location
Frisco, TX
I replaced mine with Monroe Nivomats that I got on wholesaler closeout at RockAuto ($400 total). They still worked for load leveling but were super bouncy driving around. New ones restored factory ride.
 

Biggins96

TYF Newbie
Joined
Nov 28, 2025
Posts
11
Reaction score
0
I replaced mine with Monroe Nivomats that I got on wholesaler closeout at RockAuto ($400 total). They still worked for load leveling but were super bouncy driving around. New ones restored factory ride.
What is the part number for the Monroe’s you used?
 

Yukongreed

TYF Newbie
Joined
Apr 15, 2025
Posts
21
Reaction score
10
I did the Bilstien 4600’s and moog springs not the HD springs. One of my nivomats was leaking.

It feels good overall rear end feels planted and handles well. There’s a little bouncyness if you swing steering wheel back and fourth but body stays fairly flat through turns at speed. I’ve gotta get these sway bar bushings on to see if it keeps it even flatter. I’m sure loaded would feel even better haven’t hauled much.

Check your shocks for fluid and you’ll know if one’s blown. I have a nivomat if you want it pay shipping, it’s got about 140k on it tho-
 

Fless

Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Apr 2, 2017
Posts
16,618
Reaction score
34,395
Location
People's Republic of Colorado
I did the Bilstien 4600’s and moog springs not the HD springs. One of my nivomats was leaking.

It feels good overall rear end feels planted and handles well. There’s a little bouncyness if you swing steering wheel back and fourth but body stays fairly flat through turns at speed. I’ve gotta get these sway bar bushings on to see if it keeps it even flatter. I’m sure loaded would feel even better haven’t hauled much.

Check your shocks for fluid and you’ll know if one’s blown. I have a nivomat if you want it pay shipping, it’s got about 140k on it tho-

None of the posters with issues have been on here since Jan 1st or before.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
138,039
Posts
1,997,646
Members
102,975
Latest member
jkhuntzinger

Latest posts

Back
Top