New shock absorbers for my Def

[bismillah]

Hi guys, I was considering replacing the shock absorbers of my Defender 90 Td5. I use it mostly on street and I do some travel. I do not do extreme off-road and do not want to lift the car. As shock absorbers have heard good things about the Koni Heavy Track. What do you think? With the shock absorbers would be a good idea also to replace the springs? If so, would you replace them with originals or there are better alternatives, always counting that I do not want to lift the car.

Finally, I know that Koni shock absorbers are adjustable, how do I know what is the best setting for me? How do you have set?

Thanks

[rick130]

Koni are very good.

My recommendation is to buy the Heavy Track twin tube dampers, not the mono-tube high pressure gas changed ones.

The instructions for adjustment come in the box with the dampers, just follow them, but very quickly you need to remove the damper from the car, compress it fully and lightly turn the shaft/dust shield anti-clockwise until you hear and feel a click as the adjuster drops into the recess in the foot valve.

Continue to turn anti-clockwise, counting the number of half turns (if any)
This will tell you if and by how much they have already been adjusted.
Then, to increase the rebound damping, turn the shaft/dust shield clockwise while continuing to hold the shaft down.
Adjust in half turn increments, an even number each side, then lift the shaft up to disengage the adjuster, then let them extend out (most of the twin tubes are now low pressure gas charged) and re-fit to the car.

[bismillah]

First of all thanks for the reply. The regolation method is clear to me. A little less what regolation to do to my new dampers before installing ... I could do something like just over half. Those in front and those behind must be calibrated differently? I do not carry loads.

Do you think it would be better to change the springs also or can I keep my? (150k miles)

[Slunnie]

If you're happy with the springs them keep them. I don't think there is a need to change them.

[Tombie]

If your happy with the way it is now.... Just add new factory shocks

[bismillah]

It would be the most economical choice, but I would, eventually look at something more stable and that limitate the rolling.

So I can keep the original springs and mount Koni shocks? Somebody did?

[rick130]

It would be the most economical choice, but I would, eventually look at something more stable and that limitate the rolling.

So I can keep the original springs and mount Koni shocks? Somebody did?

Does your 90 have anti-roll bars ?

You use anti-roll bars to limit body roll, don't increase spring rate unless you are circuit racing (an exaggeration, but you get my drift. Hmm, bad pun too :angel:)
The downside with ARB's is that they limit articulation off road.
This is a compromise we all have to face, do I compromise on road performance for off road, or vice versa ?

Koni's are designed around the standard springs, they'll be fine and you'll probably find the (perceived) body roll is reduced.

[newhue]

I'd reckon the standard setting for the koni's would be fine if you mostly do unladen road driving. Of course if you like it firmer than you can adjust them.
They are easy to do just will take a bit of time getting the 90 to ride comfortably and corner nicely.

[bismillah]

Does your 90 have anti-roll bars ?

I have in the garage. The car came with the anti-roll bar in the trunk and I think they have never been used. Should I consider to mount?

[rick130]

I have in the garage. The car came with the anti-roll bar in the trunk and I think they have never been used. Should I consider to mount?

It's only a decision you can make


You use anti-roll bars to limit body roll, don't increase spring rate unless you are circuit racing (an exaggeration, but you get my drift. Hmm, bad pun too :angel:)
The downside with ARB's is that they limit articulation off road.
This is a compromise we all have to face, do I compromise on road performance for off road, or vice versa ?

Koni's are designed around the standard springs, they'll be fine and you'll probably find the (perceived) body roll is reduced.

[uninformed]

arent the Koni adjustables, only adjusting the rebound? That is the valving that contols the body/body roll....it wont change the bump valving which is controlling the un-sprung mass (axles etc)

I think this is what I was told :angel:

[rick130]

Yep, Koni road damper's adjustment only affects rebound, already mentioned in post number 4 and Koni's and roll addressed in posts 7 and 10 :p

Low speed bump valving also affects body roll/transitions.

Basic rule of thumb with valving is bump controls the unsprung mass, rebound chassis stability but most race suspension engineers on cars these days, particularly on cars with downforce use low speed bump for roll/pitch/squat, as it seems do Bilstein in their HD 4WD shocks.

Ultimately anti-roll bars/springs/CofG control ultimate roll/lean angles, dampers alter the rate of roll, ie. how fast it happens but don't limit/change the ultimate roll angle (unless they limit droop, but that's another story)

But you would remember this from various conversations :D