Shock Horror! (or which brand)

[one_iota]

Well I could spend half a lifetime searching this place for advice....but I'm too old for that.

Mine is a simple question (about to get complicated by the responses).

My 2009 MY 110 Defender is set up for loaded touring. The most demanding of which involves 80 km/h driving on corrugated unsealed roads with tyre pressures adjusted according to the conditions.

The stock shocks are losing their oomph so it is time for a refresh: Should I replace with OEM, Dobinsons or Bilsteins? What are the pros and cons?

Thanks for listening![tonguewink]

[loanrangie]

Koni's if you plan on keeping the vehicle for a while.

[one_iota]

Koni's if you plan on keeping the vehicle for a while.

I plan to be buried in it viking like...so why Koni's?

[austastar]

Hi,
I've just had rear Airbagman springs and some big, red Konis installed, but have only driven home on them so not much to report as yet.
Cheers

[one_iota]

Hi,
I've just had rear Airbagman springs and some big, red Konis installed, but have only driven home on them so not much to report as yet.
Cheers

Thanks my good fellow!. Maybe I need to be thinking about the coils as well? You carry a camper on the back of your 110.

[austastar]

Hi,
Yep, an Innovan slide on. The airbags must be 9.5" to 11" inflated, which works out to 30 psi unladen and 60 psi loaded.
The airbags will make it easier to load/unload having control of the spring height rather than relying on windup leg.
The short distance I drove it back home seemed much smoother than with the double coils that came with the 130.
Cheers

[DiscoMick]

I also have a 2009 Defender 110 with 130,000 kms on it and am having the same debate about the original shocks. However I installed rear Airbag Man airbags and it all seems nice and controlled without being harsh, so I'm leaving it all alone at this stage. I have not altered the front shocks despite having a bullbar and winch. I run the airbags at 15 psi which works well for towing our camper trailer, which has a 150kg ball weight, but also firms up the rear a bit in normal driving. So I recommend you fit rear airbags first and then decide if you need to do anything else.

[roverrescue]

Mahn
Nice vintage of vehicle
I also have a 2009

In any case - if you have had 10 years with good service from what the factory supplied
There is nothing wrong to replace like for like

If you get to 2029 and still driving the fender then maybe think about spending big bucks on upgrades!!!

I’ve been suitable impressed with factory supplied dampers
They just do the job no fuss no muss

S

[one_iota]

I was leaning in that direction!

A lot of rough roads have been travelled without issue on the tubes that LR decided to put on her in the first place.

The service man tells me that the fronts are not doing what they should and we have a plan to take the Gibb River Road later this year

I wonder if the OEM is the same quality now as was fitted in 2008 (the year of build).


Mahn
Nice vintage of vehicle
I also have a 2009

In any case - if you have had 10 years with good service from what the factory supplied
There is nothing wrong to replace like for like

If you get to 2029 and still driving the fender then maybe think about spending big bucks on upgrades!!!

I’ve been suitable impressed with factory supplied dampers
They just do the job no fuss no muss

S

[DiscoMick]

I must admit I quite like the look of the Dobinson ones.

[one_iota]

I must admit I quite like the look of the Dobinson ones.

My service man reckons they are not as harsh as the Bilsteins...they are less expensive as well. I had the Bilsteins on my Disco without complaint apart from the rubber bushes deteriorating due to being asked to do more than they should have off road.

[Dorian]

My service man reckons they are not as harsh as the Bilsteins....

I've just changed my OEM's for Bilsteins, well about a year ago, and I can't say that I notice that they are rough. Well compared to the rest of the car. [bigrolf]
My OEMs lasted a little less than 100K and not much of that was off road, fronts went so did the lot. Can't say I was overly impressed, thought I'd get at least 150K or so.
Had Bilsteins on my D2 and they did at least 200K without problems, a fair bit of that was fast dirt or rough tarmac, while working around Wee Waa, St George Dalby for the cotton gins. Changed the OEM's out at 170K.
Having said that if I get 200K out of this set of bilsteins it's probably works out to be the same $/Km as the OEM's

Cheers Glen

[one_iota]

I've just changed my OEM's for Bilsteins, well about a year ago, and I can't say that I notice that they are rough. Well compared to the rest of the car. [bigrolf]
My OEMs lasted a little less than 100K and not much of that was off road, fronts went so did the lot. Can't say I was overly impressed, thought I'd get at least 150K or so.
Had Bilsteins on my D2 and they did at least 200K without problems, a fair bit of that was fast dirt or rough tarmac, while working around Wee Waa, St George Dalby for the cotton gins. Changed the OEM's out at 170K.
Having said that if I get 200K out of this set of bilsteins it's probably works out to be the same $/Km as the OEM's

Cheers Glen

Thanks Glen! Excellent feedback. My originals have done 120k so are feeling as tired as I do in my old age... I groan when I get up.[bigrolf]

[MLD]

i run Dobinson Toy 80 series fronts on 4 corners. Larger bore than OEM. Given me good service for 70,000 kms including multiple outback trips on some rough roads, 2 Simpson crossings and used to lug up to a tonne on the tray for business use. Knocked the last of life out of them in the Simpson trip last year loaded to 3500kg in some brutal conditions (for shocks). About to go remote res shocks for the extra oil capacity. I considered all the fancy brands like fox, King, Icon etc and will stick with Dobinsons remote res. I will fit 50mm bore to the front and 60mm bore to the rear. Should give me enough oil capacity to remain cool and control a 3500kg defender driven spiritedly. I'm happy with 70,000 to 100,000 from shocks that are, frankly, given a hard time each time i load up to go touring.

While i like Koni Raids i think that the current crop of remote res shocks from ARB, Dobinson etc (mid spec) are equally good at controlling heat and suspension dynamics and are cheaper.

my 2 cents.

[Robmacca]

i run Dobinson Toy 80 series fronts on 4 corners. Larger bore than OEM. Given me good service for 70,000 kms including multiple outback trips on some rough roads, 2 Simpson crossings and used to lug up to a tonne on the tray for business use. Knocked the last of life out of them in the Simpson trip last year loaded to 3500kg in some brutal conditions (for shocks). About to go remote res shocks for the extra oil capacity. I considered all the fancy brands like fox, King, Icon etc and will stick with Dobinsons remote res. I will fit 50mm bore to the front and 60mm bore to the rear. Should give me enough oil capacity to remain cool and control a 3500kg defender driven spiritedly. I'm happy with 70,000 to 100,000 from shocks that are, frankly, given a hard time each time i load up to go touring.

While i like Koni Raids i think that the current crop of remote res shocks from ARB, Dobinson etc (mid spec) are equally good at controlling heat and suspension dynamics and are cheaper.

my 2 cents.

Interesting about the dobinson remote res shocks... have read others have had issues with them but that was in a different vehicle....

The '09 Puma I bought last year came with Tough Dog adjustables.... We just completed a double crossing of the simpson and the conditions were really bad. The Tough Dogs seem to handle it ok but I don't have anything to compare them too. Had to have them adjusted to the max setting due to the load we were carrying and the track conditions. Will be getting them tested to see how they are now but I did have to replace the top rear shocky mounts...

[MLD]

The '09 Puma I bought last year came with Tough Dog adjustables.... We just completed a double crossing of the simpson and the conditions were really bad. The Tough Dogs seem to handle it ok but I don't have anything to compare them too. Had to have them adjusted to the max setting due to the load we were carrying and the track conditions. Will be getting them tested to see how they are now but I did have to replace the top rear shocky mounts...

I had Tough Dog foam cell on a 110. I killed them on a Cape York trip and the conditions were a fraction of the brutality of the Simpson and surrounds on shocks. Got less than 40,000 kms out of them. I don't rate TD but that's my experience based on 1 encounter so take it with a grain of salt.

[Geedublya]

I had Tough Dog foam cell on a 110. I killed them on a Cape York trip and the conditions were a fraction of the brutality of the Simpson and surrounds on shocks. Got less than 40,000 kms out of them. I don't rate TD but that's my experience based on 1 encounter so take it with a grain of salt.

Foam cell is crap technology!!!

[Col 110]

I have a 110 MY15 - mostly driven locally in the Hawkesbury on rural roads - but have done tracks out at Newnes / Lithgow

@42k / 5 Yrs the shocks were stuffed - replaced all 4 with Dobinsons - along with the steering damper.

Initial thoughts are good - they are better than stock.

Cheers,
Col.

[Robmacca]

Been a while, so I was wondering how u have found the Dobinson Remote Res Shocks ?? Also, how did u go fitting the Remote Res to the front? I gather u also had to replace the OEM Shock Towers to enable u to install the Remote Res Shocks ??

Keen to hear your feedback on Dobinsons as time is drawing near for me to look at mine and I was also wondering about the Superior Remote Res ones as well...



i run Dobinson Toy 80 series fronts on 4 corners. Larger bore than OEM. Given me good service for 70,000 kms including multiple outback trips on some rough roads, 2 Simpson crossings and used to lug up to a tonne on the tray for business use. Knocked the last of life out of them in the Simpson trip last year loaded to 3500kg in some brutal conditions (for shocks). About to go remote res shocks for the extra oil capacity. I considered all the fancy brands like fox, King, Icon etc and will stick with Dobinsons remote res. I will fit 50mm bore to the front and 60mm bore to the rear. Should give me enough oil capacity to remain cool and control a 3500kg defender driven spiritedly. I'm happy with 70,000 to 100,000 from shocks that are, frankly, given a hard time each time i load up to go touring.

While i like Koni Raids i think that the current crop of remote res shocks from ARB, Dobinson etc (mid spec) are equally good at controlling heat and suspension dynamics and are cheaper.

my 2 cents.

[MLD]

I
Been a while, so I was wondering how u have found the Dobinson Remote Res Shocks ?? Also, how did u go fitting the Remote Res to the front? I gather u also had to replace the OEM Shock Towers to enable u to install the Remote Res Shocks ??

Keen to hear your feedback on Dobinsons as time is drawing near for me to look at mine and I was also wondering about the Superior Remote Res ones as well...

Hi Rob. Since that post i found out that Dobinson was about to release the 3 way adjustable remote res. At the time i was told the release was about a month off. So i held off. In fact, they released them about 8 weeks ago and only for Patrol. I understand that a 12” version is being released soon. In short, i am yet to buy the remote res shocks. Sorry

[Robmacca]

I

Hi Rob. Since that post i found out that Dobinson was about to release the 3 way adjustable remote res. At the time i was told the release was about a month off. So i held off. In fact, they released them about 8 weeks ago and only for Patrol. I understand that a 12” version is being released soon. In short, i am yet to buy the remote res shocks. Sorry

Bugger... I was hoping for some long-term reports :( There was a report from a fella running them in his Pajero and he didn't really have a good run out of them...

Good to hear that they are bringing a new version but what's the go with the "3-way" ?? Expansion - compression & ?

[MLD]

... what's the go with the "3-way" ?? Expansion - compression & ?

high speed compression
low speed compression
rebound

Monotube Remote Reservoir - Adjustable (MRR) (https://www.dobinsonsprings.com/suspension/shock-absorbers-and-struts/mrr-adjustable)

to complicate purchasing, i convinced myself that i need air bags on 4 corners. That affects the internal valving setup of the shock. I've procrastinated about how to set up the air suspension for 6 months so until that is sorted, shock purchasing is on hold. By the time i pull my finger out Dobinson will have released the 12" version. Harmonious co-incidence.

[benji]

high speed compression
low speed compression
rebound

Monotube Remote Reservoir - Adjustable (MRR) (https://www.dobinsonsprings.com/suspension/shock-absorbers-and-struts/mrr-adjustable)

to complicate purchasing, i convinced myself that i need air bags on 4 corners. That affects the internal valving setup of the shock. I've procrastinated about how to set up the air suspension for 6 months so until that is sorted, shock purchasing is on hold. By the time i pull my finger out Dobinson will have released the 12" version. Harmonious co-incidence.In regards to seeing up the air suspension firestone has some great data available for their bags, right down to ride frequency.

All in all though, the rrc/p38 designs are very good and hard to beat, but they do give limited articulation.

I to am in the market for shocks, as well as springs. I'll some be putting on 4" lifted 80 series front shocks (11" stroke). I was lucky enough to talk to Sam from Desert Speed Lab, who designed the bp51s for OME, and there's a lot more to these shocks.

I've just drawn up the front measurements today, and will do the rear ones on Friday.
I'm going with tyre heaviest springs OME supply for the Defenders (which I wouldn't consider to be very heavy), and running bags in the rear coils.
All the best. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200729/4c4547dbebd52985f85a350d5ba51d11.jpg

[EastFreo]

It’s amazing the variation in the originals. I am still on mine and haven’t noticed any need to change at 153,000km. Been a mix of on and off road. But also a lot of pretty high speed chasing around paddocks while spot lighting with my son - and I can say that can be bloody tough on the shocks!

when I need to will stick to the OEMs ans hope they are as good as what I have.

[MLD]

In regards to seeing up the air suspension firestone has some great data available for their bags, right down to ride frequency.

All in all though, the rrc/p38 designs are very good and hard to beat, but they do give limited articulation.

more sophisticated workings than mine. i laid under the truck starring up until my back got cold, got out and looked at figures on the screen instead. I should research what freq means and how it relates to the bag. I haven't factored that into my musings.

working out what air bag is best for my set up has done my head in. The rear is pretty easy, 1T14C-7's. Open and bump is outside the shock range so no ripping bellow from piston, good load carrying capacity at lower PSI , ironically lower rate at any given PSI than the Air Bag man offering in the 1T14C-3 bellow and TimNZ kindly published his CAD drawings for the mounts so any machine shop can replicate. In theory i'll have a long travel bag that will carry my weight and will ride like a magic carpet. The RRC/P38 front set up (which is the near identical to the Air Bag man offering) is my uncertainty. The specs are not published so it is difficult to assess what you are buying. Firestone offer a similar bag with longer travel than the RRC offering but the specs suggest that it will require 100psi to achieve my load rating at the design ride height. The rate at 100 psi is 180 lbs/in so matches the factory offering. If i fit the 1T14C-7 to the front as well i get the same load rating and rate at 40psi with more bag travel than the front could want. I am planning to fit a Cummins engine to the 130 and it is a heavy lump which is why the RRC/P38 is not necessarily a good solution. If I were keeping the factory engine the air bag man kit would be an easy solution.

[Rick Fischer]

Picked this thread up a bit late I suppose.

However, Konis are pretty good, have adjustable konis on my mx5, but I'd reckon on Billies for a Deffie! Bilsteins!

Reason: Did have D2 and belted tripe out of suspension on corrugations in the Centre and across the top for a few month each year. With a D2 and later with the Deffie it is easy to test shockies. On corrugations at "corrugation speed" I would find the TC would start chattering normally jut before or just after lunch. Chattering would get earlier and earlier each year till shockies replaced. Probably two trips. All the so called off road gas shocks were similar. One year decided to bite the bullet. PAY for Billies!

TC normally didn't start to chatter at all. Occasionally near 4pm after a very hard/fast day..............................and that was year after year.

When SVX came to need new shocks, and the OEMs were lousy. No question, just Bilsteins. Something to note, Billies can actually be overhauled in Sydney if really necessary (well used to be)

Cheers

Rick F

[Trout]

I had old man emu shocks for years before they died. Probably over 150k on them. Can’t complain about them really. But then bilsteins. They totally transformed the ride. I was very impressed. But not quite enough control under really heavy load. But that’s probably more springs than shocks. One rear blew a seal after perhaps 50k. So not so impressed with that given price. But have just gone all out bought Koni Raids. Heaps stiffer than the Bilsteins on std setting. Done about 10k heavily loaded most of the time. Confident they will do they job for a long time but they do not have anywhere the same ride as the bilsteins.

[Rick Fischer]

Had a billie blow a seal, NuP NO Never! [bigsmile1]

An aquaintance with a Rangie in a LR Club had something similar happen, Bilstein said a la RR. (that's a Roller RR). It didn't happen, Bilsteins don't leak! ended up with a whole new set. (few years ago now)


(Did you call them?)

cheers

RF

[Trout]

Had a billie blow a seal, NuP NO Never! [bigsmile1]

An aquaintance with a Rangie in a LR Club had something similar happen, Bilstein said a la RR. (that's a Roller RR). It didn't happen, Bilsteins don't leak! ended up with a whole new set. (few years ago now)


(Did you call them?)

cheers

RF


Nah... Probably should have said leaking seal not blown. They we’re still working but one kept getting heaps of oil around the outside. They may have kept going but I really wanted an excuse to buy the koni raids. Heavily loaded I would hit the bump stops hard over big dips etc. That rarely happens with the raids. I still run bilsteins on the front and they are great. I would get billies For the rear again if I did not have three kids and a tvan and all the extra weight that comes with that.

[spudfan]

My 1992 110 200 tdi is as far as I know on it's original springs and shocks. I have owned it since 1996 and have not changed any. Fair enough I do not do any heavy towing but I have renewed the odd bushing.

[one_iota]

Firstly....thanks for the contributions here. AULRO quality stuff.

Decision made: Bilsteins B6 series.

I'll let you know how it turns out.

[Slunnie]

Firstly....thanks for the contributions here. AULRO quality stuff.

Decision made: Bilsteins B6 series.

I'll let you know how it turns out.

You've absolutely made the right decision.

[one_iota]

You've absolutely made the right decision.

Thanks Simon. Much anguish has been assuaged by that comment.

[smilebigeye]

[Robmacca]

Hi,
I've just had rear Airbagman springs and some big, red Konis installed, but have only driven home on them so not much to report as yet.
Cheers

Is this Koni's all the way around?

Do u have model numbers and where they were sourced from?

I've had a few mates suggest that I should go with what every other Tom, Dick & Harry seem to be using these days & that's "Remote-Res Shocks"... but for remote touring (sometimes off-track) I think that may just be increasing chances for problems. I like the idea of adjusting your shocks for the various road conditions u can drive but worry about durability...

I too will be watching this post with interest with what are people's thoughts as to what is the better way to go...

[Slunnie]

I've had a few mates suggest that I should go with what every other Tom, Dick & Harry seem to be using these days & that's "Remote-Res Shocks"... but for remote touring (sometimes off-track) I think that may just be increasing chances for problems. I like the idea of adjusting your shocks for the various road conditions u can drive but worry about durability...

I too will be watching this post with interest with what are people's thoughts as to what is the better way to go...

For a regular tourer, with nothing more than standard or off the shelf suspension you really don't need remote res. They are very cool and they do cool a bit better but really they're about gaining a performance package in terms of high levels of travel as well as performance, Bilstein motorsport when you're talking to them just call them buggy shocks. As much as we hate to admit it, 2" lifts are not comparable.

You've got options with the shocks, but as soon as you say loaded, touring or corrugations you're straight away looking at mono-tube shocks, which admittedly do include remote res in the family.

Foam Cell shocks like Rancho etc you will kill in a few hours on the corrugations and they wont recover - throw them in the bin.

Twin shell shocks like Monroe, OME, Koni etc are all the same design, and Koni is a high quality version of the same shock. They will perform well until they get hot, the oil with low pressure gas will aerate and then the shock will fade. When they cool down, the shock performance will come back again.

Mono-tube shocks like Bilstein, Ultimate and any remote res shock keep the oil and the gas seperated with a piston. In a regular monotube shock the piston and gas is in the bottom of the shock and in a remote res it is relocated into a seperate canister (this is why remote res have a more efficient suspension travel design). Because the oil and gas are seperate the shock is very reluctant to fade, and as the shock heats up the gas pressure increases which improves the oils ability further to not aerate and fade. For a tourer you don't need remote res unless you've got something pretty custom setup, but these are the reasons I would always recommend a monotube like the Bilstein shock for a tourer.

[W&KO]

Firstly....thanks for the contributions here. AULRO quality stuff.

Decision made: Bilsteins B6 series.

I'll let you know how it turns out.

I’ve just been searching for open/closed lengths but the bilstien website doesn’t seem to have them.

Any chance of a link where you purchased from.

[Tombie]

As far as reliability- I’ve ran remote res shocks for years. Never had one fail.

Lara (110) had LTRs that I worked with OME directly to calibrate and improve.
D2 has 7100 Bilsteins.

Both were given a very tough life, and still going strong.

Blk Knight can tell you if the LTRs are still going as his Dad owns Lara now.

I can tell you the D2 is still alright - 14 years after they were installed.

[W&KO]

Hi,
I've just had rear Airbagman springs and some big, red Konis installed, but have only driven home on them so not much to report as yet.
Cheers

Which koni’s did you install?

[Robmacca]

For a regular tourer, with nothing more than standard or off the shelf suspension you really don't need remote res. They are very cool and they do cool a bit better but really they're about gaining a performance package in terms of high levels of travel as well as performance, Bilstein motorsport when you're talking to them just call them buggy shocks. As much as we hate to admit it, 2" lifts are not comparable.

You've got options with the shocks, but as soon as you say loaded, touring or corrugations you're straight away looking at mono-tube shocks, which admittedly do include remote res in the family.

Foam Cell shocks like Rancho etc you will kill in a few hours on the corrugations and they wont recover - throw them in the bin.

Twin shell shocks like Monroe, OME, Koni etc are all the same design, and Koni is a high quality version of the same shock. They will perform well until they get hot, the oil with low pressure gas will aerate and then the shock will fade. When they cool down, the shock performance will come back again.

Mono-tube shocks like Bilstein, Ultimate and any remote res shock keep the oil and the gas seperated with a piston. In a regular monotube shock the piston and gas is in the bottom of the shock and in a remote res it is relocated into a seperate canister (this is why remote res have a more efficient suspension travel design). Because the oil and gas are seperate the shock is very reluctant to fade, and as the shock heats up the gas pressure increases which improves the oils ability further to not aerate and fade. For a tourer you don't need remote res unless you've got something pretty custom setup, but these are the reasons I would always recommend a monotube like the Bilstein shock for a tourer.


When I bought my Puma - it can with adjustable Toughdog shocks. Now, I know they are probably not the best but I liked the ability to adjust the shocks upwards to help when we crossed the madigan in 2019. It helped stopped the heavy vehicle roll around a bit and then when driving on dirt corrugated roads turn them back down to help smooth out the ride a bit. It got me wondering if forking out some $$ for better remote res shocks would be a good idea when touring and fully loaded ?

[ozscott]

I have had Bilstein (not the remote res variety) on my D2 now for some years with Dobinson coils all round. It never fades and rides very nicely. The corrugations of Cape York were easy with that set up. Cheers

[Slunnie]

When I bought my Puma - it can with adjustable Toughdog shocks. Now, I know they are probably not the best but I liked the ability to adjust the shocks upwards to help when we crossed the madigan in 2019. It helped stopped the heavy vehicle roll around a bit and then when driving on dirt corrugated roads turn them back down to help smooth out the ride a bit. It got me wondering if forking out some $$ for better remote res shocks would be a good idea when touring and fully loaded ?

Bilsteins absolutely, but I don't think you need to go to remote res.

Also, despite Bilstein recommending rubber bushes, I recommend poly in the shocks only because they don't flog out in the mud and grit. Rubber bushes we've been on the side of the road changing them, poly were still like the day we put them in, but they are a stiffer bush. Note, that many will disagree with poly the classic rover type suspension, but shocks is the only place I'd recommend to use poly in those.

[Tins]

Suspension Services (https://www.bilstein.com.au/services)

[one_iota]

I’ve just been searching for open/closed lengths but the bilstien website doesn’t seem to have them.

Any chance of a link where you purchased from.

Hi,

The Bilstein website is pathetic!

As mine are being supplied and fitted by my regular LR service place (plug for Glen at Roving Mechanical) I'm leaving the gory details to him.

I don't have a suspension lift so it should be a simple exercise with regards to lengths.

So sorry I can't help but maybe someone else here can.

[W&KO]

Cheers.....ignore my PM as I didn’t see your reply here.

[W&KO]

Hi,

The Bilstein website is pathetic!

As mine are being supplied and fitted by my regular LR service place (plug for Glen at Roving Mechanical) I'm leaving the gory details to him.

I don't have a suspension lift so it should be a simple exercise with regards to lengths.

So sorry I can't help but maybe someone else here can.

Ignore my PM, I didn’t realise you replied here.....thanks off to research a bit more.

Bilstien AUS got back to me and have confused me even more.

[one_iota]

So to ground this thread:

The Bilsteins were fitted today after a delay. There was a supply problem...container overboard or something.

So the first impression is good albeit on the tarmac. There is a noticeable firmness but the road-feel is good and not uncomfortable. Excellent response on rough bits. Body roll is reduced.

This weekend I'll take her on the dirty old mine road near the Zig Zag Railway to Lithgow and try them out on potholes and corrugated corners.

Stay tuned.

[DDrew]

I just fitted Dobinsons all round (the non remote version) including the steering damper. Very happy. Transformed the ride of the 130 but not fair to compare to the old worn out Tough Dogs which had done many many miles.

[one_iota]

So to ground this thread:

The Bilsteins were fitted today after a delay. There was a supply problem...container overboard or something.

So the first impression is good albeit on the tarmac. There is a noticeable firmness but the road-feel is good and not uncomfortable. Excellent response on rough bits. Body roll is reduced.

This weekend I'll take her on the dirty old mine road near the Zig Zag Railway to Lithgow and try them out on potholes and corrugated corners.

Stay tuned.

So I did the rough road run today mostly at 40-50 kph. Tyres were at road pressures and Defender was not loaded. Vehicle was stable and kept the line with no skittishness. A vast improvement over the tired ones. So I'm well pleased.