Suspension Sag

[JCW]

Following on from the the fuel consumption problems, my Defender 90 is sagging on the passenger side by about 30mm. Questions are:

1. Presumably, the fact that it's leaning over to one side is the suspension and nothing else?


2. That being the case, I want to replace it with a standard height suspension to include dampers and springs, so which would be best? Old Man Emu, Bearmach etc?

3. Any tips? I'm doing it myself with the aid of Mr.Haynes but any input gratefully received.

4. Forgot to add; the standard set up is too hard for me and ideally I'd like to soften it up a bit. Possible?

Thanks all.

Edited by JCW on Wednesday 11th August 21:31

[JCW]

Flipping heck, you're a mine of information! Running Kumho KL 71s I think?

Assumed it was springs but will check in the morning.

The MAF was faulty btw but hasn't improved the fuel economy unfortunately...

[300bhp/ton]

JCW said:

Following on from the the fuel consumption problems, my Defender 90 is sagging on the passenger side by about 30mm. Questions are:

1. Presumably, the fact that it's leaning over to one side is the suspension and nothing else?


2. That being the case, I want to replace it with a standard height suspension to include dampers and springs, so which would be best? Old Man Emu, Bearmach etc?

3. Any tips? I'm doing it myself with the aid of Mr.Haynes but any input gratefully received.

4. Forgot to add; the standard set up is too hard for me and ideally I'd like to soften it up a bit. Possible?

Thanks all.

Edited by JCW on Wednesday 11th August 21:31

While there a lots of people who will say stock setup is best. I believe aftermarket is the way. But depends what you want to do.

Softer is not the only thing, you need to decide what your aim is. More travel, including droop is what most aftermarket suspension systems aim for.

But to get more travel you may need to consider other things, such as spring length, dislocating or retained setups, shock mounting position, cranked rear arms and so on.


My advice would be to speak to David at Llama4x4. He really is very helpful.

He sells highly rated Rough Country shocks. A cheaper option or alternative would be Pro Comps. He can advise on springs and final setup.

http://www.llama4x4.com/



Simon at X-Eng also does some interesting setups. http://www.x-eng.co.uk/


Remember, if you want to compete in Land Rover trials, specifically ALRC events you can not perform some mods as it won't pass the regulations.

[andyb66]

I agree with all that has been said regarding tyres. I went from cheap mixture to BFG ATs on my Navara and the ride is firmer (and better).

IMO Old Man Emu is hard (impossible?) to beat for after market suspension. I must have had mine on my Discovery1 for about 8 years and there is no sag and the shocks are not leaking.

To soften the ride you need softer springs not softer shocks. A softer shock will just give you a bouncy ride

Check that you don't have a broken or dislocated springs (most likely on the rear for dislocated) Also check that whether you have std springs or not already. The factory fit springs are pretty soft.

Oh and whoever said that 30mm is 2 inches needs a new ruler or to stop boasting

Edited by andyb66 on Thursday 12th August 10:10

[JCW]

300bhp/ton said:

JCW said:

Following on from the the fuel consumption problems, my Defender 90 is sagging on the passenger side by about 30mm. Questions are:

1. Presumably, the fact that it's leaning over to one side is the suspension and nothing else?


2. That being the case, I want to replace it with a standard height suspension to include dampers and springs, so which would be best? Old Man Emu, Bearmach etc?

3. Any tips? I'm doing it myself with the aid of Mr.Haynes but any input gratefully received.

4. Forgot to add; the standard set up is too hard for me and ideally I'd like to soften it up a bit. Possible?

Thanks all.

Edited by JCW on Wednesday 11th August 21:31

While there a lots of people who will say stock setup is best. I believe aftermarket is the way. But depends what you want to do.

Softer is not the only thing, you need to decide what your aim is. More travel, including droop is what most aftermarket suspension systems aim for.

But to get more travel you may need to consider other things, such as spring length, dislocating or retained setups, shock mounting position, cranked rear arms and so on.


My advice would be to speak to David at Llama4x4. He really is very helpful.

He sells highly rated Rough Country shocks. A cheaper option or alternative would be Pro Comps. He can advise on springs and final setup.

http://www.llama4x4.com/



Simon at X-Eng also does some interesting setups. http://www.x-eng.co.uk/


Remember, if you want to compete in Land Rover trials, specifically ALRC events you can not perform some mods as it won't pass the regulations.

Spoke to David, nice bloke who talked himself (by his own admission) out of a sale by suggesting that I buy standard Land Rover springs which should be sufficient for what I want. Funnily enough, I bought a quad bike from Simon several years ago before I got into Landies so may re-contact him if this works as I'd like to try one of his ARBs.

Again, thanks everyone for the help.

[300bhp/ton]

JCW said:

300bhp/ton said:

JCW said:

Following on from the the fuel consumption problems, my Defender 90 is sagging on the passenger side by about 30mm. Questions are:

1. Presumably, the fact that it's leaning over to one side is the suspension and nothing else?


2. That being the case, I want to replace it with a standard height suspension to include dampers and springs, so which would be best? Old Man Emu, Bearmach etc?

3. Any tips? I'm doing it myself with the aid of Mr.Haynes but any input gratefully received.

4. Forgot to add; the standard set up is too hard for me and ideally I'd like to soften it up a bit. Possible?

Thanks all.

Edited by JCW on Wednesday 11th August 21:31

While there a lots of people who will say stock setup is best. I believe aftermarket is the way. But depends what you want to do.

Softer is not the only thing, you need to decide what your aim is. More travel, including droop is what most aftermarket suspension systems aim for.

But to get more travel you may need to consider other things, such as spring length, dislocating or retained setups, shock mounting position, cranked rear arms and so on.


My advice would be to speak to David at Llama4x4. He really is very helpful.

He sells highly rated Rough Country shocks. A cheaper option or alternative would be Pro Comps. He can advise on springs and final setup.

http://www.llama4x4.com/



Simon at X-Eng also does some interesting setups. http://www.x-eng.co.uk/


Remember, if you want to compete in Land Rover trials, specifically ALRC events you can not perform some mods as it won't pass the regulations.

Spoke to David, nice bloke who talked himself (by his own admission) out of a sale by suggesting that I buy standard Land Rover springs which should be sufficient for what I want. Funnily enough, I bought a quad bike from Simon several years ago before I got into Landies so may re-contact him if this works as I'd like to try one of his ARBs.

Again, thanks everyone for the help.

lol David is a bit like that I buy bits from him whenever he'll let me.... takes some effort though. When doing the suspension on my Disco he sorted out what springs/shocks to run then told me where to go buy them from because they were cheaper than what he could do.

Very nice chap though.

[West4x4]

Standard landrover shocks are surprisingly cheap and there are several different lengths and ratings plus as there original manufacture items then there not classed as a modification. A good one for a 90 is HD range rover classic springs all round give a 2 inch lift

[JCW]

Whilst I'm at it, I may replace a few other part such as turret rings but can anyone let me know what other parts would be useful? The turrets themselves are in good condition but I'm not sure what bushes (if any) I'll need?

[BIG DUNC]

Something else to check is the anti roll bar.
I once managed to invert my anti roll bar (one end went up and the other end went down) when off roading. The car developed a list similar to how you describe. I checked all the springs etc, and could not see anything wrong. The MOT man noticed though....

[JCW]

I haven't looked forward to a project like this since my Hillman Imp days. Fast forward a few hours and the impending sense of doom will no doubt kick in, once I'm drenched with skinned knuckles having failed to soak everything in WD40.

Still. Could be worse. Gearbox replacement anyone?