Thread: Help with defender suspension

G'day Gus

Why not drop the front prop shaft and take it for a run? That way you will determine if it is the culprit or not...at not cost of trial and error with mods etc.

Defender springs seem to sag quickly from my experience. Like others, I replaced the fronts with the OE heavy duty (same as 130 fronts), and they have solved things for me. My rears are still standard, but I also plan to fit poly air bags, so that I can adjust for the heaviest loads, while good empty still.

The rears have sagged a bit, and they are also progressive rate, and I expect with a little assist from the air bags, the progressive loops will lift apart a little and improve ride. That's the theory anyway. The HD fronts cost me $77 ea, and I have been quoted about $340 for the air bags.

God luck with it.

I would be checking your propshafts, remove either front or rear then take it for a drive, then swap over and take it for a drive again.

When i lifted my Defender within a week or so i had a horrible vibration.I did the above mentioned and found the rear uni completely shagged out.
I guess changing the angle killed the uni off.

I had a series 3 stage 1 3.9D. It had a strange front prop shaft which I wonder could be an answer to the vibration problems that you are suffering. Maybe the experts have an answer.The prop shaft in question I know was expensive a mate of mine had to replace his in Darwin and it cost a fortune.Can anyone add to this...my gearbox was an LT95.
Cheers.

[Quote

Alternatively he suggested to put the OE springs back in and that he can make up a spacer for the front coils to bring the ride height back to standard. He reckons that this is the way to go dollar wise if Im not interested in getting a lift kit. This sounds good for the hip pocket but I was wondering if any one has done this and what the ride is like? Is it really as good as it was before the bar/winch was put on? Or perhaps even with the spacers are the coils compressed too much to offer a good ride (ie does it take the 'compliance' out of the coils)?

I've used spacers to bring sagging springs back to "normal" without any issues. Sounds like Bruce Davis is on the money. I could'nt notice any ride difference, after all its the same spring doing the same job if you think about it.

Well Ive decided to follow Deejay's, Chucaro's and Bruce Davis' recommendation and had the old OE springs put back in yesterday. The truck seems to be sagging a little in the front but thats to be expected and its no more than about 20 to 30mm by my eye.

Was chatting to my mechanic in albury and he is going to give me a hand to fit some spacers (Im a bit stumped when it comes to fitting or re-fitting springs myself) next weekend in his own time to try and save me some money. Thought that was pretty cool. Have to order the spacers from Bruce yet though. Will get onto that ASAP.

Brid:

Why not drop the front prop shaft and take it for a run? That way you will determine if it is the culprit or not...at not cost of trial and error with mods etc.

My mechanic suggested this but Opposite Lock said they'd re-fit the OE springs for naught (as their bloody springs caused the problem in the first place and I only want the vehicle to be at standard height). I thought I'd try that first because Ive been flat out and dont have time to scratch myself (Am off to the GP tomorrow - Go Stoner!)

So thanks all for your advice. Will let you all know how it goes with the spacers but the initial feeling is that there is no shudder anywhere now when Im decelerating (which means it wasnt the cooper ST tyres I had fitted at the same time as the tough dog springs).

Originally Posted by DeeJay

[Quote

Alternatively he suggested to put the OE springs back in and that he can make up a spacer for the front coils to bring the ride height back to standard. He reckons that this is the way to go dollar wise if Im not interested in getting a lift kit. This sounds good for the hip pocket but I was wondering if any one has done this and what the ride is like? Is it really as good as it was before the bar/winch was put on? Or perhaps even with the spacers are the coils compressed too much to offer a good ride (ie does it take the 'compliance' out of the coils)?

I've used spacers to bring sagging springs back to "normal" without any issues. Sounds like Bruce Davis is on the money. I could'nt notice any ride difference, after all its the same spring doing the same job if you think about it.

I understand that spacers under coils are not recommended and are considered dangerous .....

Why dont you get your uj's checked before you do anything drastic you may have just highlighted and issue with the props

if you haven't fixed it yet. i say it is the wrong shaft or possibly by accident the unis at the end have been put in line with each other and it is now out of balance. if you need help in brizzy go to MR auto in redcliffe, they are really good.