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michel



Member Since: 31 Aug 2010
Location: Hengelo
Posts: 4

Netherlands 
Suspension and damping of the new Defender.
How do you like your suspension of your new Defender, especialy the damping?
I find mine very hard and uncomfortable. It is a 90 CSW al with original dempers, springs and tires. Compare to my Defender 90 TD5 year 1999 which was much more softer.
Post #39423 31st Aug 2010 4:09pm
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mse



Member Since: 06 Apr 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 5034

United Kingdom 2016 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Scotia Grey
Uprated suspension is why.

Put some weight in it and its really nice then...otherwise it is harsh Mike
Post #39443 31st Aug 2010 8:20pm
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Glynparry25



Member Since: 16 Feb 2009
Location: Miserable Midlands
Posts: 3015

Wales 2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS DCPU Tonga Green
Hi Michel,

I agree with you but I think it is down to 2 reasons why yours feels that way

1. Your Td5 has had 11 years to bed in and soften up.

2. LandRover really are terrible at matching springs and shocks to a vehicle.

Glyn Sheep
Post #39454 31st Aug 2010 9:34pm
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michel



Member Since: 31 Aug 2010
Location: Hengelo
Posts: 4

Netherlands 
So far i have heard the new shocks are gas filled in stead of oil filled.
Also the part numbers are differend compare to my early DEFENDER TD5 from 09-1999.
Has anybody experince by changing the gas filled shocks for the older type which are oil filled.

I am wondering if the changed springs make the new Defender more hard are if it is caused by more rigid shocks.
Does make higher tires(for example 255-16-85) any differance?
Has anybady experince with the new BF Goodrich Muds KM2 in this size?

Best regard Michel.
Post #39512 1st Sep 2010 11:58am
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MK



Member Since: 28 Aug 2008
Location: Santiago
Posts: 2395

Chile 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Chawton White
Yes, now they have gas charged shoxs. I would keep the springs and fit regulable shoxs (rancho or procomp). I noticed the difference.

Dindīt know LR does not know how to setup a suspension Shocked Puma 110" SW

.............................................................
Earth first. Other planets later
Post #39515 1st Sep 2010 12:21pm
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bm52



Member Since: 04 Apr 2010
Location: Kent
Posts: 2189

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Havana
MK wrote:
Yes, now they have gas charged shoxs. I would keep the springs and fit regulable shoxs (rancho or procomp). I noticed the difference.

Dindīt know LR does not know how to setup a suspension Shocked


i have been wondering about this as well, my wife describes the ride in the Puma as 'much more wiggerly....." Confused and it 'makes her bits wobble" Rolling Eyes

so........i think i will fit standard shocks as well.. did you just fit rear shocks or front as well? i don't ever carry much weight, it is normally the 2 of us and at best the weight of 3rd person or a weeks shopping!
ideally i would just like to fit new shocks on the back to reduce the rear bounce.

I would appreciate your view on this

cheers BM52
Post #39874 5th Sep 2010 5:15pm
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fekete



Member Since: 24 Dec 2008
Location: Here on the other end of the computer
Posts: 3626

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Bonatti Grey
Shocked[/quote]

my wife describes the ride in the Puma as 'much more wiggerly....." Confused and it 'makes her bits wobble" Rolling Eyes

I would appreciate your view on this

cheers[/quote]

This is great if the wife has a girls night and you offer to run them all home Whistle
Thats why i,ve put extra H/Ds on mine Rolling with laughter Rolling with laughter NEVER TAKE LIFE SERIOUSLY. NOBODY GETS OUT ALIVE ANYWAY
Post #39876 5th Sep 2010 5:25pm
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MK



Member Since: 28 Aug 2008
Location: Santiago
Posts: 2395

Chile 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Chawton White
I can give an oppinion about a 110" setup. Anyway I find the front suspension is harder bacause of the design of front radius arms. My shoxs are set softer in the front and still find it rasher on the front compared to the rear.

For you to be on the safe side, I would get some regulable ones with upper and lower "stiffness" including " OE damping values. Not sure if you can get convinient prices for regulable shoxs (about $90/each).

On the other hand I do know "rough Country" shoxs are softer than OE and you get a nice ride for a few quid, so if you get the chance to compare your OE with oil filled ones, youīll have a good idea how much softer they are.

Hope it helps. Puma 110" SW

.............................................................
Earth first. Other planets later
Post #39879 5th Sep 2010 5:41pm
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bm52



Member Since: 04 Apr 2010
Location: Kent
Posts: 2189

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Havana
going back to the 1st post by Michel - does anyone have a recommendation for making the ride smoother and more comfortable?

is it the springs and shocks?
or, will putting slightly softer shocks on make a difference?

if the answer is slightly softer shocks what make, can you get LR OE ones?

cheers BM52
Post #39907 5th Sep 2010 11:06pm
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AndrewS



Member Since: 10 Apr 2007
Location: Hereford
Posts: 3707

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 130 Puma 2.2 SW Rimini Red
Check to see what colour code your springs are here http://members.shaw.ca/jbarge/springinfo.html you will be able to see what rate your spring is and work out what is needed from there. 130's have feeling's as well you know Smile
Post #39910 5th Sep 2010 11:26pm
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iandup77



Member Since: 18 Aug 2010
Location: Dar Es Salaam,Tanzania
Posts: 15

2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Zambezi Silver
I have fitted Discovery coil springs infront(Blue Colour Code) Also fitted dual shocks front and back. Overall the vehicle is more stable in corners as well as no more top heavy. On rough roads you get a more smooth ride. On a quite night in Africa you can hear the sound of rusting Land Cruisers
Post #39945 6th Sep 2010 12:32pm
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fekete



Member Since: 24 Dec 2008
Location: Here on the other end of the computer
Posts: 3626

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Bonatti Grey
I also have HD Discovery coil springs all round with bilstein shocks and this has stop the roll and improved the smoothness on the road Thumbs Up NEVER TAKE LIFE SERIOUSLY. NOBODY GETS OUT ALIVE ANYWAY
Post #39946 6th Sep 2010 12:46pm
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harveyg77



Member Since: 09 Apr 2010
Location: Derby
Posts: 309

United Kingdom 
JE Eng have recommended I fit Koni gas & adjustable dampers and their upgraded roll-bars to improve ride.

How do you tell what colour code your springs are, mine appear black, with 'no' noticeable colours, bar the front left which has 1" yellow marks every inch or so!

Thanks Harvey
Post #39960 6th Sep 2010 2:35pm
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AndrewS



Member Since: 10 Apr 2007
Location: Hereford
Posts: 3707

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 130 Puma 2.2 SW Rimini Red
Every spring from Land Rover is colour coded. If you clean the spring you should see one or two colours painted on the coils, usually a number of the coils have paint on them. Land Rover employ a blind man on a galloping horse to paint the springs, he usually paints them on a foggy night so dont expect to see clearly marked springs Thumbs Up


I just ordered a set of OME Nitrocharger sport shocks for the 130.


Click image to enlarge
 130's have feeling's as well you know Smile
Post #39962 6th Sep 2010 3:01pm
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bm52



Member Since: 04 Apr 2010
Location: Kent
Posts: 2189

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Havana
been thinking - a dangerous trait i know but if we kept the LR dampers as standard and fitted light or medium Terrafirma rear springs i assume that would help. LR Dealer told me mine was fitted in the factory with HD springs.

i have no idea how to set up suspension so any advice welcome.

would it be sensible to keep the front standard fit and just repalce the rear or should you replace everything as a set? BM52
Post #40106 7th Sep 2010 7:43pm
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