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meeerrrk



Member Since: 12 Feb 2017
Location: Surrey
Posts: 548

United Kingdom 2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Stornoway Grey
Shock Absorber Recommendation
Hi everyone,
i have a 2010 90, with -1" lowered springs, standard shocks.

Used as a road vehicle mainly with light towing probably once a month.

After much investigation for a very annoying knocking noise, i've finally found it to be the rear nearside shock top mount. That was not easy to track down!

So my dilemma is, do i replace just the rear shocks and bushes, or do i take the opportunity to upgrade all 4 shockers?

I find the ride a little "choppy" so if i could gain some comfort from a shock change i'd be open to it.

Ive seen Bilstein recommended a few times, but also seen people say they gave a hard ride. How about OME? Or just stick with OEM quality?

Any recommendations and advice greatly received. It's having a clutch put in next week so i'll get all the work done at the same time simply for convenience.




Many thanks My 90 Project : http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic52774.html
Post #690636 3rd Mar 2018 7:44pm
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ian series 1



Member Since: 17 Nov 2014
Location: south
Posts: 3127

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 CSW Bonatti Grey
Hi Mark

This is also something I’m looking at doing, I am thinking of going 1” lower on the springs, but not sure about shocks?
Can I ask what springs you went for?

Cheers 80" 80" 86" 88" 90"

Wanted, Forward Control Anything considered.
Post #690640 3rd Mar 2018 8:16pm
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meeerrrk



Member Since: 12 Feb 2017
Location: Surrey
Posts: 548

United Kingdom 2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Stornoway Grey
Hi Ian,

my defender being a Hard Top had the HD springs as factory, and it was very hard. The -1" springs seemed to be the best solution for me being of "standard" stiffness and offering slightly lower ride.
They are actually the britpart springs. They havent caused me any problems, although i'm sure many people would shy away given the brand.

The ride is still a little choppy, however i think thats more a characteristic of the 90's wheel base.

In an ideal world i would have got a set of the comfort springs that are availalbe but the cost put me off if i'm honest. My 90 Project : http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic52774.html
Post #690641 3rd Mar 2018 8:23pm
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ian series 1



Member Since: 17 Nov 2014
Location: south
Posts: 3127

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 CSW Bonatti Grey
Cheers,
I’m thinking either Britpart or Terafirma?
I did look at the Comfort ones too, but couldn’t stomach the cost! Big Cry 80" 80" 86" 88" 90"

Wanted, Forward Control Anything considered.
Post #690665 3rd Mar 2018 8:57pm
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ozzie1989



Member Since: 25 Feb 2009
Location: Wales
Posts: 282

Wales 2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Bonatti Grey
When mine went I replaced them with Koni Heavy Track's which are adjustable.

Sadly you can't adjust them on the vehicle as you have to hold the bottom between your feet, push down until it bottoms out and the mechanism engages, turn to adjust then let it go again to lock in.

I found the ride much improved on the softest setting, no more bouncing around. I don't do hardly any towing so this suits me fine.

Put 100kg in the back and it feels amazing but makes you want to change the front as you start to realise how hard they are Laughing

Only issue I've had with softer shocks is that I go through lower shock bushes - I change them at every years service now because they don't last much longer than that. Now: 2010 2.4 TDCi 110 Utility Wagon
Then: 2004 2.5 TD5 90 Hard Top (X-Tech Edition)
Post #690672 3rd Mar 2018 9:17pm
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williamthedog



Member Since: 29 Dec 2012
Location: south wales
Posts: 3441

2011 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 PU Tamar Blue
+1 for konis Thumbs Up
Post #690682 3rd Mar 2018 9:23pm
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 8053

 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
How many miles? I would question why has the shock failed? Do the shocks bottom out on full bump? Or are they just worn?

That aside OME. Cheers

James
110 2012 XS Utility
130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper
90 2010 Hardtop
90 M57 1988 Hardtop


Last edited by jst on 4th Mar 2018 4:55pm. Edited 1 time in total
Post #690690 3rd Mar 2018 9:38pm
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Blacksheep



Member Since: 10 Dec 2017
Location: Highlands
Posts: 190

I can sympathise with the OP. I also have a 2010 90ht and the ride is poor, after much searching on the forum and to stop my teeth from falling out Big Cry I've decided to bite the bullet and have booked it into Alive, for Comfort springs and a rear ARB on the 12th March, with the standard shocks.
I shall report back on hopefully the promised improvement. Bow down Time is precious, waste it wisely...

Defender 90 D200
Post #690800 4th Mar 2018 10:15am
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Gilloverland



Member Since: 12 Nov 2017
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 61

United Kingdom 
I'm very happy with the Bearmach green shocks I've just fitted to my 110.
3 year warranty and seem very well made. It no longer bangs over the pot holes and rides really well.
Bit dear than the $hitpart ones but I expect they'll last longer.

https://bearmach.com/news/new-shock-absorbers/
Post #690865 4th Mar 2018 3:40pm
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gilarion



Member Since: 05 Dec 2013
Location: Wales
Posts: 5111

Wales 2007 Defender 90 Other CSW Trident Green
BILSTEIN best upgrade I have ever done Thumbs Up For those who like Welsh Mountains and narrow boats have a look at my videos and photos at..

http://www.youtube.com/user/conwy1
Post #690875 4th Mar 2018 4:10pm
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meeerrrk



Member Since: 12 Feb 2017
Location: Surrey
Posts: 548

United Kingdom 2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Stornoway Grey
Thanks all for the recommendations, off to price them all up!

It seems like the top bush that’s failed actually, as there is play in the top mount. With that said, “don’t replace, upgrade!” My 90 Project : http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic52774.html
Post #690909 4th Mar 2018 6:13pm
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ozzie1989



Member Since: 25 Feb 2009
Location: Wales
Posts: 282

Wales 2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Bonatti Grey
If you are happy with the rise, bush aside, I'd just replace all the bushes on the rear shocks. Rubber or Poly.

You'll probably find that alone makes a difference if your current bushes are worn.

Even with my comfier shocks I notice the bumps a lot more when it's due bush replacements... Thumbs Up Now: 2010 2.4 TDCi 110 Utility Wagon
Then: 2004 2.5 TD5 90 Hard Top (X-Tech Edition)
Post #690945 4th Mar 2018 7:44pm
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proloFort



Member Since: 16 Mar 2017
Location: Montereau
Posts: 248

France 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
gilarion wrote:
BILSTEIN best upgrade I have ever done Thumbs Up


+1

Very nice ride improvement. Not at all “hard”.
Post #690983 4th Mar 2018 8:58pm
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meeerrrk



Member Since: 12 Feb 2017
Location: Surrey
Posts: 548

United Kingdom 2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Stornoway Grey
ozzie1989 wrote:
If you are happy with the rise, bush aside, I'd just replace all the bushes on the rear shocks. Rubber or Poly.

You'll probably find that alone makes a difference if your current bushes are worn.

Even with my comfier shocks I notice the bumps a lot more when it's due bush replacements... Thumbs Up


Actually Ozzie I think you may be right, mainly for cost reasons at the moment. I’m interested in a set of Koni or Bilsteins but with the clutch too it’s all getting a little expensive Big Cry

I may just do as you suggest and see how it is. It’s certainly an inexpensive fix that way. Fancy shockers can wait for now i think! My 90 Project : http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic52774.html
Post #690988 4th Mar 2018 9:20pm
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ozzie1989



Member Since: 25 Feb 2009
Location: Wales
Posts: 282

Wales 2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Bonatti Grey
Absolutely and that way if you decide to go for shocks in 6 months time the bushes will still come in handy as emergency spares!

Don't talk to me about clutches either (see my other thread) Rolling Eyes your statement about cost is scaring me! Now: 2010 2.4 TDCi 110 Utility Wagon
Then: 2004 2.5 TD5 90 Hard Top (X-Tech Edition)
Post #690991 4th Mar 2018 9:30pm
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