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excossack



Member Since: 22 Feb 2012
Location: North West
Posts: 5866

United Kingdom 1999 Defender 110 Td5 SW Caledonian Blue
New springs and shocks.
After the MOT man pulled up the bushes are worn on both rear shocks, its time to replace. So might as well do them all.
Its a 110 Td5 with a 12000lbs winch and bumper up front (not a tubular one)
Most rallies I do, I have boot full with tools, fire extinguishers, recovery gear, cooker food etc & a harvey frost on the rear.
Most of the time its just me to and from work.

So I was thinking of sticking with standard LR springs and shocks as these have served well, and if they are original they have done 179K. Brake lines are already +2" braided.


110HD/130HD up front, & standard 110 rears with standard shocks? 1999 Defender TD5 110

Regards
John M0VAZ
Econet Station 48 no clock
Post #396472 6th Feb 2015 6:18pm
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MartinK



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

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Orkney Grey
I have some std rear shocks somewhere (taken off at ~8000 miles).

http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic16202.html?highlight=shock

Yours for a tenner (if I can find them).

I see your "North West", I work in Lytham St Annes every 2nd Tuesday...Meet up for free, or you pay postage (if you want them) Neutral Sheep Defender "Puma" 2.4 110 County Utility (possibly the last of the 2.4's)
Post #396519 6th Feb 2015 8:56pm
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excossack



Member Since: 22 Feb 2012
Location: North West
Posts: 5866

United Kingdom 1999 Defender 110 Td5 SW Caledonian Blue
PM sent
Did you replace the springs as well? if so, from standard to ?? 1999 Defender TD5 110

Regards
John M0VAZ
Econet Station 48 no clock
Post #396522 6th Feb 2015 9:02pm
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NickH



Member Since: 01 Nov 2014
Location: Halifax
Posts: 204

England 2003 Defender 90 Td5 PU Rimini Red
Hi

If you look on ebay there are puma take off new springs, I cant remember who it was I got mine from. The 90 stationwagon rear springs are high load springs (pick ups and hard tops arent Shocked and are the same part as 110 heavy duty fronts, they work really well and dont lift the front end above standard.
As for rears I would fit standard 110 rears and if needed a small 30-40mm spacer Thumbs Up 2003 Td5 90
2013 sport hse
2012 700 raptor quad
2012 siromer 4x4 tractor
Post #396560 6th Feb 2015 10:02pm
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Anderzander



Member Since: 08 Feb 2011
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 1000

United Kingdom 
Martin

If he doesn't have the shocks I will - I could meet you in St. Anne's Smile

Stephen
Post #396561 6th Feb 2015 10:03pm
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excossack



Member Since: 22 Feb 2012
Location: North West
Posts: 5866

United Kingdom 1999 Defender 110 Td5 SW Caledonian Blue
So maybe 110hd up front then and standard springs at the rear?
What is standard height? 1999 Defender TD5 110

Regards
John M0VAZ
Econet Station 48 no clock
Post #396673 7th Feb 2015 1:41pm
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Screbble



Member Since: 26 Apr 2015
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 2108

United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Zambezi Silver
I'm thinking it's time to look at the shocks/springs on my 2004 90 CSW (stimulated by a conversation with the MOT Inspector).
I've read some interesting and not so positive threads/comments about some of the high-profile and more commonly known shock/spring manufacturers which has thrown me a little, as I was heading down a particular route, and it is now making me think (it happens occasionally.....)....

What are the pros and cons of keeping the set up standard OEM? I've read a few comments about saggy springs and inherently poor ride quality from the factory. I don't know any different as it's on its originals. I use the Landy mainly on the Tarmac with the occasional green lane (for Granny's).

I know some of this topic is very subjective but I'd appreciate hearing about your experiences. I just want to do it once and do it right.

Cheers,
Will
Post #420801 3rd May 2015 7:05am
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Anderzander



Member Since: 08 Feb 2011
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 1000

United Kingdom 
I don't have time to write a full reply - but briefly I'd say don't discount the standard stuff.

Land Rover over a very wide range of springs that you can pick from to tailor your ride - they are well made and reasonably priced. If you think yours are over 10 years old now.

There isn't the range of standard shocks, but they are decent quality for a reasonable price.
Post #420808 3rd May 2015 7:42am
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Green Machine



Member Since: 19 Nov 2010
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 1226

United Kingdom 2005 Defender 90 Td5 CSW Tonga Green
@Will - I have a 2005 Td5 90 CSW and have so far fitted Koni heavy track shocks all round and, more recently, had all the bushes replaced with original OEM bushes. Firstly, fitting the Konis made no difference at all to the ride. It is ever so slightly better damped (as you would expect), but it's barely noticeable. When the Konis were fitted I started getting a knocking from the back end, which I think was due to warn lower bushes. Unfortunately the guy I used to fit the Konis in the first place wasn't really up to the job, he was just a jobbing Land Rover mechanic with little experience of anything 'non-standard' so the shocks weren't really set up properly (washers missing / wrong way round, old bushes put back on etc.) Anyway, after living with the knocking for a few months thinking 'I must do something about that' I took it to another LR specialist who had a good look underneath and said that most of the bushes looked fairly past it. Not surprising given it's 10 years old and doubt it has ever had any replaced. So decided to replace the lot with OEM (decided against polybush / SuperPro after reading many many threads on the subject). Replacing the bushes made a massive difference to general clonking / rattling. There is now no noise at all from the suspension. The ride is slightly worse than it was due to the new bushes having less 'give' than the worn ones. So I am now contemplating further options! But thinking I will look into changing the springs when funds allow and probably start with Extreme who seem to have had good feedback from a few members here. I read a lot of threads that extolled the virtues of just changing your shocks to significantly improve ride quality, but for me it didn't work. I don't regret it as I know I now have a good quality set of dampers which will work well in whatever set up I end up with, but they make very little difference to the ride quality. It's still very much on the 'extremely firm' side of things! 2005 Td5 | 90 Station Wagon | Tonga Green
Post #420927 3rd May 2015 4:53pm
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barbel jim



Member Since: 12 Dec 2012
Location: Northants
Posts: 1431

United Kingdom 2005 Defender 90 Td5 HT Tonga Green
Will - Tyre pressures can make a big difference, as well as being loaded or not. I run Bilstein B6's which for my needs are excellent, they are on the hard side, and settle down after a few miles. For smooth roads and speed I can't fault them. on poor back roads at pottering speed they can be a bit harsh, press the loud pedal and they do what you want and when towing they are the Nuts.. I replaced my OEM ones at 88000 miles as they were tired to say the least. The new one I drove the other day was alot more giving and smoother and there is always a supply of new take offs for not alot of £.
Post #420931 3rd May 2015 5:22pm
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Screbble



Member Since: 26 Apr 2015
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 2108

United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Zambezi Silver
It's good to hear the feedback on experiences and specifications.

Far too many choices for my liking!

I won't rush in to anything but it looks like OEM might be a strong option for my circumstances. Something to think about I guess and I'll have to do a bit more researching reading. Thanks for all the advice.

Bilsteins did the trick on my performance Fords in the 80's so I'd consider those albeit I accept they're not 'soft.'

Had some issues with poly bushes on an old Lotus and went back to OEM. So I can appreciate that point also.

Any suppliers you recommend for OEM shocks/springs/bushes or is it a main dealer job?

Cheers,
Will
Post #420987 3rd May 2015 9:34pm
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barbel jim



Member Since: 12 Dec 2012
Location: Northants
Posts: 1431

United Kingdom 2005 Defender 90 Td5 HT Tonga Green
You could put a wanted add up? I'm sure a forum member might have some . I know in the garage I have a load of new genuine shock mount rubbers if that helps?

Site sponsors - Chris at CSK will probably have some Urban Truck are advertising new take offs, LRI also,
Post #421005 4th May 2015 6:44am
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excossack



Member Since: 22 Feb 2012
Location: North West
Posts: 5866

United Kingdom 1999 Defender 110 Td5 SW Caledonian Blue
I have decided I am going LR springs and shocks. Given I think the ones on now are LR ones, then they have lasted a fair while. So it will be HD on the front and standard springs on the rear. 1999 Defender TD5 110

Regards
John M0VAZ
Econet Station 48 no clock
Post #421109 4th May 2015 5:27pm
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Grenadier



Member Since: 23 Jul 2014
Location: The foot of Mont Blanc...
Posts: 5865

France 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Corris Grey
Along similar lines, I was under my 110 over the weekend and found that it had ARBs fitted, front and rear. They look to be OE, although I wasn't aware my spec (110SW, 2011, 2.2, basic) warranted such an upgrade. No idea if they're there because of the model year, the fact it might be different base spec in France or if the original owner ordered them. I did wonder why it handled better than 110s of Forces vintage Whistle

Anyway, background done, the question is if I go for a spring/sussies upgrade (thinking Bilstein B6 with -1" progressive spring) whether this OE ARB is up to the job and not worth the hassle of replacing.

Any thoughts/opinions much appreciated... Thumbs Up Monsieur Le Grenadier

I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list.....

2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey
Post #421127 4th May 2015 6:07pm
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barbel jim



Member Since: 12 Dec 2012
Location: Northants
Posts: 1431

United Kingdom 2005 Defender 90 Td5 HT Tonga Green
GRENADIER - Admittedly mines a 90 but I run stock springs and standard anti roll bars with Bilsteins and I think its about right. I did look at going the uprated route, but at £200+, it seem pointless. It feels like a go cart anyway Thumbs Up
Post #421135 4th May 2015 6:31pm
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