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lakes

Member Since: 08 Jan 2023
Location: Lake District
Posts: 22

2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black

Puma Suspension

I had my Defender in the garage earlier this week for a service, mechanic gave me a ring to say the two rear shocks were completely busted, one was hanging off. Gave them the go ahead to replace them with stock LR ones.

I cannot believe the difference it’s made - it’s like a new car.

My question is do I get the front ones replaced too? They are originals so are knocking on 13 years old.
Mechanic said they were fine.

19th Oct 2023 7:32am

MartinK

Member Since: 02 Mar 2011
Location: Silverdale (Lancashire/Cumbria Border)
Posts: 2665

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Orkney Grey

Rears made the biggest difference on my 110, doing the fronts had less impact/benefit but mine was quite new at the time

I put Koni Heavy Track on mine, it seemed a good upgrade - thread here https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic16066.html Defender "Puma" 2.4 110 County Utility (possibly the last of the 2.4's)

19th Oct 2023 7:48am

MK

Member Since: 28 Aug 2008
Location: Santiago
Posts: 2411

2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Chawton White

Re: Puma Suspension

lakes wrote:
I had my Defender in the garage earlier this week for a service, mechanic gave me a ring to say the two rear shocks were completely busted, one was hanging off. Gave them the go ahead to replace them with stock LR ones.

I cannot believe the difference it’s made - it’s like a new car.

My question is do I get the front ones replaced too? They are originals so are knocking on 13 years old.
Mechanic said they were fine.

Did the mechanic remove the front ones to "test" them? Puma 110" SW

.............................................................
Earth first. Other planets later

19th Oct 2023 9:45am

lakes

Member Since: 08 Jan 2023
Location: Lake District
Posts: 22

No - I think him saying they were fine meant they weren’t bust open like the rear

19th Oct 2023 10:17am

MK

Member Since: 28 Aug 2008
Location: Santiago
Posts: 2411

Depending on the usage or miles sometimes it is necessary to remove a shock absorber to test them. If it does not leak does not mean it is good. Sometimes they loose their gas charge and internals wear. Puma 110" SW

.............................................................
Earth first. Other planets later

19th Oct 2023 10:33am

blackwolf

Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17344

2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey

FWIW my 2007 270k mile Defender is still on the original front dampers.but not rears.

19th Oct 2023 11:39am

Chicken Drumstick

Member Since: 17 Aug 2020
Location: Near MK
Posts: 708

What I find amazing here is. How can any sensible owner not know they have shocks hanging off!!!! Do such owners have their eyes closed shut whenever they walk near to their own vehicle???? Quite worrying that such owners and vehicles are allowed on the roads really.

19th Oct 2023 2:23pm

lakes

Member Since: 08 Jan 2023
Location: Lake District
Posts: 22

I’m not a mechanic, hence why I asked advice on a forum - and it’s in the garage every 6 months for inspection/service.

19th Oct 2023 2:31pm

Mdm

Member Since: 11 Sep 2013
Location: Sunny Lancashire
Posts: 1589

i would swap them as long as you dont use britpart oes itll be good for 10+yrs again

19th Oct 2023 2:34pm

Chicken Drumstick

Member Since: 17 Aug 2020
Location: Near MK
Posts: 708

Re: Puma Suspension

lakes wrote:

My question is do I get the front ones replaced too? They are originals so are knocking on 13 years old.
Mechanic said they were fine.

If the front are fine, then changing them will make little difference. Do you know many history on the vehicle or how many miles it has done?

Is it modded for off roading?

Shocks are pretty cheap in terms of car maintenance and you can fit them yourself if you want. So it might not be a bad thing to do. But it depends on what you plan to use the vehicle for on what would be a good replacement.

For a budget shock, I quite like the Britpart Cellular Dynamic range. You can get them in stock length or +2". If changing the fronts you'll need some new turret rings are a must. Any brand HD glav ones should be fine. I'd also look at new turrets too. The Gwyn Lewis standard height ones are a good price and an open design. So makes fitting (or removing in the future) easy and they won't trap mud and dirt like the standard design.

19th Oct 2023 4:51pm

Martin
Site Admin

Member Since: 02 Apr 2007
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 6604

2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Montalcino Red

Chicken Drumstick wrote:
What I find amazing here is. How can any sensible owner not know they have shocks hanging off!!!! Do such owners have their eyes closed shut whenever they walk near to their own vehicle???? Quite worrying that such owners and vehicles are allowed on the roads really.

Not an acceptable response to anyone on this forum. Do not speak to others like this again.

1988 90 Td5 NAS soft top

2015 D90 XS SW

19th Oct 2023 5:11pm

Naks

Member Since: 27 Jan 2009
Location: Stellenbosch, ZA
Posts: 2637

2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 SW Alpine White

I would replace the fronts as well, but that's me: I like to know that components that work in unison are all of the same age/wear & tear. --
2010 Defender Puma 90 + BAS remap + Alive IC + Slickshift + Ashcroft ATB rear
2015 Range Rover Sport V8 Supercharged

Defender Puma Workshop Manual: https://bit.ly/2zZ1en9
Discovery 4 Workshop Manual: https://bit.ly/2zXrtKO
Range Rover/Sport L320/L322/L494 Workshop Manual: https://bit.ly/2zc58JQ

20th Oct 2023 5:59am

rustandoil

Member Since: 08 Sep 2012
Location: Cotswolds
Posts: 736

2005 Defender 110 Td5 XS DCPU Bonatti Grey

I would get the fronts renewed.... Fresh dampers front and rear can't be a bad thing....
If you're happy with standard spec' that will save you a few quid 👍🏻

20th Oct 2023 6:55am

Matt_H

Member Since: 19 Sep 2018
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 42

2009 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Zambezi Silver

The thing is dampers are so cheap that its worth treating them as a service Item IMO (not every year). The rubber bushes all wear with use too, so for the sake of £40 a side every few years, you might as well replace them and have a better drive. Its funny the number of people who swear their dampers are absolutely fine, but then comment on the improvement having fitted new ones !

20th Oct 2023 11:07am

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