 | Home > Maintenance & Modifications > Done to death, but .... suspension |
 
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| RickH Member Since: 25 Aug 2013 Location: Central belt Scotland Posts: 39  
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I have a 2002 TD5 90, which has started to exhibit a little lean on the passenger rear corner. Nothing looks bust from underneath, and my gut feeling is the shock has given up the ghost.
This leads me to three options, depending on needs and budget; 1. Replacement single OEM shock: cheapest, quickest but leaves the characteristics the same. 2. Upgrade replacement shocks (and springs): consistent upgrade across the corners, more expensive, slowest but can build a handling upgrade in. 3. Upgrade plus lift: not convinced I need this as I'm mostly one-road (bar the unsurfaced track to home at about 400m long). I'm erring to option 2, but don't know where to start. Standard height, upgrade strength. But do I go springs and shocks, or just shocks? And who to go to? |
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3rd Nov 2013 9:04am |
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| ibexman Member Since: 13 Dec 2008 Location: Essex Posts: 2947 
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Replacing shocks will not rectify your lean
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3rd Nov 2013 9:12am |
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| RickH Member Since: 25 Aug 2013 Location: Central belt Scotland Posts: 39
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So it could be a mount, or the spring?
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3rd Nov 2013 9:13am |
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| Phoenix90 Member Since: 04 Mar 2012 Location: Cornwall Posts: 377 
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Its more likely to be spring sag, this is when he spring gets worn out and naturally drops, the cure for which is to replace the springs. Shocks don't help to 'hold the vehicle up' as it were, just dampen the jolts from driving.
If you've been happy with the height until now then there is no point in lifting it. Replace with OEM springs and new shocks. Your choice of shocks will be driven by budget and what you hope to achieve, search the forum for a range of opinions. Old Man Emu and Koni generally get the best reviews but depends what your after: if you've been generally happy with the ride until now replace with standard LR items and you'll still probably notice a big improvement. Take a bit of time to think about what springs you need, if the ride has been harsh to this point you can get something a bit softer, if it has been too soft then can get something a bit tougher, this spring guide can help to decide which LR items to get: Spring Guide You can undertake all the work yourself with a couple of decent jacks, axles stands, a set of spring compressors (actually you can do it without these if you can get enough axle articulation) and general hand tools. Also, dinitrol / waxoyl inside the mounts when you have the spring out. |
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3rd Nov 2013 9:32am |
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| Mdm Member Since: 11 Sep 2013 Location: Sunny Lancashire Posts: 1630
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Keep it standard
Buy cheap buy twice |
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3rd Nov 2013 9:03pm |
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| RickH Member Since: 25 Aug 2013 Location: Central belt Scotland Posts: 39
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What exactly do you mean? I'm not going for the cheapest option. I want a cost effective solution given my expected usage. I've seen suspension packages measured in Łk's which are probably great. But I'm not going to test them. So I need sensible suggestions as to up the resilience of a standard height d90 that won't break the bank.
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3rd Nov 2013 9:55pm |
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| jst Member Since: 14 Jan 2008 Location: Taunton Posts: 8088 
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how many miles has it got and whats its history?
check for bent/corroded mountings first. assuming all good and reasonable mileage, high usage then look to change two rear springs only, stick with Std if the vehicle has always handled and done what you wanted. Cheers James 110 2012 XS Utility 130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper 90 2010 Hardtop 90 M57 1988 Hardtop |
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3rd Nov 2013 10:21pm |
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| bm52 Member Since: 04 Apr 2010 Location: Kent Posts: 2189 
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Standard springs for me too plus Koni shocks, if you do buy non standard don't forget to check your inurance as any changes could be considered a mod which could void your insurance if not declared BM52
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3rd Nov 2013 10:40pm |
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| Greg L Member Since: 30 Sep 2013 Location: Alexandria Posts: 46 
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PM sent RichH
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3rd Nov 2013 11:31pm |
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| diesel_jim Member Since: 13 Oct 2008 Location: hiding Posts: 6103 
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Without sounding like an anal tw@t....
the springs are actually the "shock absorbers", as they take up the shocks from the road. the bits that look like hydraulic rams are the "dampers", as they dampen the cyclic effect from the springs (without them you'd be wobbling up and down like a jelly!) |
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4th Nov 2013 7:43am |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 17466 
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I'm not quite sure what you mean by this, but I'm sure that you know that you should never replace one 'shock absorber' (i.e, damper) on its own, always replace an axle pair. |
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4th Nov 2013 9:03am |
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| RickH Member Since: 25 Aug 2013 Location: Central belt Scotland Posts: 39
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I know. But I like to state 'options' even though they're not strictly viable. Anyway, I'm yet to see springs sold as singles so it's a moot point. Maybe for clarity I should say replace the rear springs.
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4th Nov 2013 1:12pm |
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| dnorrishill Member Since: 15 Jul 2011 Location: Hampshire Posts: 616  
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Not anal at all - a very useful explanation. |
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4th Nov 2013 1:19pm |
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| Nidge Member Since: 27 Jan 2008 Location: Kildare Ireland Posts: 818  
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If you don't need a lift ....another vote for stanard LR springs and Koni or Bilsten Dampers....
N. |
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4th Nov 2013 1:41pm |
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