RRS suspension strut lifespan

[Marty110]

Hi all, just wondering what lifespan can be expected from RRS struts? Mine have done 160k km and the shocks are stuffed. I can get some off a car that has done 40k km and drives really well for about half price - is it worth it?

Thanks for your opinions

[~Rich~]

For how much?
Has it just been on road kms?

[Rich84]

One of those how long is a piece of string questions Marty!

When they're dead, they're dead I guess. Mine have 207K on them now.

What symptoms are you experiencing? Wallowing? Or overly firm ride?

[Marty110]

One of those how long is a piece of string questions Marty!

When they're dead, they're dead I guess. Mine have 207K on them now.

What symptoms are you experiencing? Wallowing? Or overly firm ride?

Wallowing around and really bad on undulating surfaces, especially getting bouncy diagonally/corner to corner of car and almost out of control - the bounce just keeps building until the undulations are gone. I should add that the car has been used off road and on really bad unmade roads quite a lot - lots of corrugations, potholes, etc, so possibly shortened the lifespan

[Marty110]

For how much?
Has it just been on road kms?

$400 a corner supplied and fitted. Dont know about how the kms were done, but they are guaranteed and lets face it, not too many RRS get 'abused' in serious conditions (unlike mine of course!)

[Epic pooh]

Personally I would just shop online and get a brand new set ex-uk rather than used. Particularly if the car is a keeper ... New would not be greatly more expensive.

[Graeme]

I just paid $1150 for a set of new genuine D4 shocks (not assemblies) ex UK. However with 160K done your air-springs wont last another set of shocks even if they're replaced prior to getting so sloppy. Assemblies are nearly double the price.

[Epic pooh]

You would get the complete struts front and rear for somewhere around $1600 to 1700AU + Freight (Delphi or Allmakes a bit more for genuine). Order in two lots a couple of days apart to ensure you don't go over the import threshold.

[Graeme]

Check Duckworths for genuine prices as they're cheaper than anywhere else I found.
My D3 Delphis after 45 kkms rock me to sleep - not good when driving!

[Epic pooh]

How long do you think the genuine ones will last Graeme ?

[Graeme]

Back to the piece of string question...

The genuine D3s deteriorated rather rapidly at around 65K but IIRC provided better damping than the Delphis which were rather floaty from the outset. My original D4s were removed at 30K still feeling as new as the first of 3 suspension changes to make the ride softer but refitted when the D3s wore out only to fail abruptly within 5K. I'm hoping the new ones will last 80K but perhaps will be only last as long as the D3s did. However D3 genuine shocks cost a lot less than D4s so perhaps D4s use better seals and oil and hopefully will last longer.

The Delphis are currently OK/acceptable whilst cold but loose all their slow speed and short movement damping once warmed-up.

[Epic pooh]

Yep ... String question it sure is !

My originals were in for 125km but had really seen better days by about 90 I think. The allmakes ones I have in now (Dunlop bags and Delphi shocks) were initially quite hard but have softened up a bit now (aprox 30k driven) and feel very good - smooth and good handling. Not sure how long they'll hold out but I don't see myself getting 125 (or even 90) out of them. In buying the much cheaper ones (1500 landed aprox) I resolved to change them a bit earlier than the originals !

[Marty110]

I just paid $1150 for a set of new genuine D4 shocks (not assemblies) ex UK. However with 160K done your air-springs wont last another set of shocks even if they're replaced prior to getting so sloppy. Assemblies are nearly double the price.

Then you have to pay to get them fitted (unfortunately I cant do it)......

By the way, mine seemed fine at around 130k but deteriorated quickly out to around 150k and I have put up with it for another 10k

Best prices I can see are from around $560 to $600 per strut not including delivery or installation. It also looks like the RRS are dearer than the D3

[Graeme]

I noted that your price included fitting. I change them myself but wondered if you could do so yourself if the money could be better spent on new ones.

[Epic pooh]

Two examples for non-Genuine (delphi OEM or Allmakes):



Island 4x4 has fronts for 133-166 gbp (Front - Island 4x4 - Specialists in Land Rover and Range Rover Parts and accessories for all models. UK and worldwide mail order. (http://www.island-4x4.co.uk/suspension-front-c-2483_2629_2631.html)) and has rears for 175gbp (Rear - Island 4x4 - Specialists in Land Rover and Range Rover Parts and accessories for all models. UK and worldwide mail order. (http://www.island-4x4.co.uk/suspension-rear-c-2483_2629_2630.html)).



Lrdirect has a few other options at the high end of that price range. I reckon freight would be in the order of 175GBP so buying Delphis from Island would probably set you back about aud$16-1700 incl freight (possibly a little more /less depending on freight choices and skills at avoiding the import duties and exchange rate etc).



The genuine ones seem to be about twice the price and you'd have to form your own judgement about the pros and cons of oem / genuine / used. Anyway good luck !