Rear end suspension harshness

[one_iota]

I've noticed recently that the Disco's rear end ride is very harsh and not what it used to be over corrugations and the truck has a wallowing feeling over undulations.

The springs and shocks were replaced about two years ago about 25,000 kms. Bilsteins front and rear.

A visual inspection tonight reveals nothing peculiar and everything seems to be attached. The shocks do not appear to be leaking (but they are gas).

Bouncing on the rear bumper has the truck oscillating a little but nothing particularly dramatic: but I'm not a heavy weight.

Any thoughts?

[crawfy]

Have you checked the rear Ball joint on your suspension!!!!!!!!
As I read somewhere this can cause harshness?
All else fails get it checked, my Disco is harsh in the rear end but I've fitted a strengthened coil and had Poly-air bags fitted this has fixed som of the harshness
regards
Crawfy
S11A88 & 97 300 TDI DISCO

[one_iota]

Thanks Crawfy,

The ball joint I guess is the connection of the upper links with the rear axle. I'll check that.

I have polyairs and relatively soft springs giving a 50mm lift and the ride has been great until recently.

I've heard that gas charged shocks can give suddenly if the seals go blowing the contents out. I'll have this checked out as well.

http://www.lrenthusiastforum.com/ubbthread...sb=5&o=0&fpart= (http://www.lrenthusiastforum.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB4&Number=163818&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=0&fpart=)

[crawfy]

Ah you beat me to it I found the same Post and was going to post it here style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif So great minds think alike, I thought of the seals in the gas shocks after reading your post! So maybe check them out, I am running the KGS Gas in the rear, Series 2000 Suspension, has been really good so far 8)
Regards
Crawfy

S11A88 & 97 300TDI DISCO

[one_iota]

Problem found and fixed.

The lower rubber bush and cupped washer at the rear axle mounts were the problem.

The rubber bushes had split and the cupped washers had distorted through movement to the point where the right hand side rubber washer had fallen off and the washer likewise. So the shocks were moving about 25mm on the mounts before compressing and extending.

The fix was to put some new bushes and much thicker original LR washers.

So the lesson learnt is that whilst the Bilsteins are great gear the washers that come with them are crap about half the thickness of the LR variety.

Those with Bilsteins should check the condition of theirs.