New suspension hitting hard

[jamietaker]

Hi guys, I just install new rear shocks on my 2006 range rover sport and now every bump feels like it's hitting the bump stops. When it's in off road mode it feels fine it only happens in normal height mode. Would I have to get the new suspension calibrated ir would it be something else. Any help or advice would be great.

[Graeme]

What shocks did you fit? If they're really for a D4 which has more bump-stop clearance then they may indeed be hitting the bump-stops.

[jamietaker]

Rear Air Suspension Strut Shock For Land Rover LR3 Range Rover Sport RTD501090 is what I fitted. Would new shocks need to be calibrated. It feels like when they are set to normal that there isn't air in them.

[101RRS]

Rear Air Suspension Strut Shock For Land Rover LR3 Range Rover Sport RTD501090 is what I fitted. Would new shocks need to be calibrated. It feels like when they are set to normal that there isn't air in them.

Air does not go into the shocks - it goes into the air springs.

You said you replaced the shocks but your comment makes me think you replaced the combined unit - yes RTD501090 is the complete unit not just the shock.

So it would seem you have an issue with the air bag (spring) and not the shock, in that case I am sure you need to look at the airline into the air bag - sounds like it is not getting in or is loosing air.

[Graeme]

That part number is listed in Microcat 2012 for the D3, not for the RRS. Will the rear lower properly to access height?

[peterjj]

Maybe ... If you undid any of the control arm \ knuckle bolts when you replaced the shox, then you need to compress the suspension back into normal ride height position before tightening everything up again otherwise everything is trying to settle back into max height position even without the force of the air spring. Not enough force to hold the car up but possibly enough to stiffen it.

[101RRS]

That part number is listed in Microcat 2012 for the D3, not for the RRS. Will the rear lower properly to access height?

Yes looking at the Advanced Factors website it has RTD501090 as being for the D3 and for the RRS (non ACE) it has the part number as being LRO41110. Rear Air Shock Absorbers to VIN AA999999 (2010) Without Adaptive Damping (https://www.advancedfactors.co.uk/rear-air-shock-absorbers-to-vin-aa999999-2010-without-adaptive-damping-14159-c.asp)

Googling LRO41110 only links to a RRS and not a D3 so it would seem that the unit fitted by the OP is not the correct item for his vehicle.

[Graeme]

The RRS has around 15mm bump-stop clearance below access height on the rear whereas the D3 has more than 50mm.