Shock absorbers for Classic on AIR

[superquag]

Its that time again.
Sarah has been looked over for a 'wriggle' in the suspension.
Initial diagnosis is 'Shocking shockers'.

They're OEM "normal" replacements from a local LR dealer, 5 years / 100K ago.
-Am getting a second opinion on that, but in the mean time... are Bilsteins a good value alternative to whatever is 'OEM' ?

The originals were changed out at 135K, these are the First Replacements the car has had.

My driving is strictly road, sealed/gravel. NO rock-hopping or bush bashing etc. No towing.

Worthwhile buying from the UK, or does the carriage make it uneconomical?

Looks like I'll be keeping her for another 5 years...:o

james in Gosnells

The Lady Sarah, 1995 Vague SE with working air suspension...

[MR LR]

James, I would be very hesitant to use aftermarket shocks, even Bilstein or Koni as it will noticeably change what is a superbly smooth suspension.

If you do replace with OEM, make sure they are to genuine quality... and suit EAS. Don't buy Britpart or Allmakes/Bearmach.

Talk to either Bilstein or Koni head office if you want to go aftermarket, and make sure what they are selling you suits air springs, as the factory dampers are not charged, they are an old school hydraulic shock (do not expand on their own).

I'd be looking to Koni as they make shocks like this...

[gavinwibrow]

James, for what it is worth, Bessie has adjustable Konis per PO, and I don't think they were all that expensive (relatively speaking of course).

[Vern]

Have read the koni's work quite well with eas, and that the bilsteins are a bit harsh

[superquag]

...From a quick look at the Usual Suspects, the best price from Blighty ... about $180 for a pair... "aftermarket".

Ouch!

The Bilsteins were recommended by the mechanic... He does a lot of modifying/beefing up of Deefers etc, so I guess he's biased towards "performance".
- I'm only after Comfort

[gavinwibrow]

Pillows then sir?

[MR LR]

That's very cheap! lol!

Bilstein do comfort too... but I'd look to Koni first.

[DieselLSE]

I installed a set of Koni reds (adjustable and designed for EAS) years ago (probably ten or more) and they are still excellent. Driving is both road and off-road, probably about 100,000kms. They are adjustable so that as they wear, you can tighten them back up to spec. I tried this a few years ago, but it turned out that they were still on spec so I returned them to standard plus half a turn. They have stayed this way ever since. Could probably do with another half turn now. From memory, I think you have five full turns of adjustment.
For off road use, it is important to replace the rubbers every now and again. I've done this once and it's probably time to do it again.
FYI I have an LSE with EAS and with standard size tyres.

[Meccles]

For what it's worth I contacted paddocks for some Bilsteins they wouldn't sell them as they were not allowed to freight them due to Nitrogen charge. They have to go sea freight which they weren't prepared to do.

[benji]

I've had the konis on my 93 with eas.

I think they are brilliant. They're firmer than stock, but the back end will still float.

If you swerve though, the shocks will feel very firm.

I had bilstein before that. They were very firm, but that didn't really translate into better handling.

Sent from my SM-G900I using AULRO mobile app

[superquag]

The KONI site currently does not list for Range Rover WITH air suspension... :(:(:(

Bilsteins are, according to others whom I've spoken to, aimed more at 'performance' (?) than 'comfort'.

Looks like heading back to OEM.
- Along with replacing 'rubbers' around the rear axle where they're worn, or might be less than 'perfect'.

I'm inclined for Old-Fashioned Rubber as compared to 'urethane' as past experience has shown them to be longer-lived - but at the expense of softness.
- Island 4x4, Paddocks, et al may be seeing some of my remaining $$.

[DieselLSE]

Strange. Call Toperformance on (03) 9873 1722 or toper@toperformance.com.au
That's where I purchased mine from, albeit many years ago.

[jsp]

Just put a set of boges back on last week, supplied thankfully by roverlord, had bilsteins and didn't like them at all............

The koni's on the P38 were great but no one had them for the classic last I checked....

[350RRC]

.................
- Along with replacing 'rubbers' around the rear axle where they're worn, or might be less than 'perfect'.

I'm inclined for Old-Fashioned Rubber as compared to 'urethane' as past experience has shown them to be longer-lived - but at the expense of softness.
- Island 4x4, Paddocks, et al may be seeing some of my remaining $$.

Urethane is great on the rebound side (i.e. non- compression) because it will maintain the shock pin locations much better over time in a RRC, especially in the rear and especially with a lift.

120k kms since I set mine up like this and the rubber ones are still good.

Toyota cups are great too, but not from a dealer ($7 each). Have a search, I've posted about this before.

cheers, DL

[jcamp]

- Along with replacing 'rubbers' around the rear axle where they're worn, or might be less than 'perfect'..

Regarding rubbers - in a 10 yo 220K D1 (with ALL rubbers externally perfect and no movement with crowbars) I went Thredbo - Melbourne and had to go the long way via Cann River, Couple of stretches on the Princes Hwy were slightly twitchy and arrival had me in not good shape. Replaced ALL rubbers and Koni's and it drove like a new vehicle.

Three of the rubbers had some wear visible after removal and most of them appeared to be a bit harder (using the hand ballpoint version of the Shore test.

Given the fairly low cost of rubbers and the extra work to do one at a time rather than replace all in one hit, all at once is the way to go.