ARB + Suspension = WTF!!!

froryan · 27th July 2010, 04:03 PM

Okay, so the weakest part of my rig is my suspension set up (no lift, still original springs and shocks) and I want to keep my SLS (I have had zero issues with it and find it awesome both offroad and especially for towing).

So today, after a lot of research on this forum and a few other places, I decided on what I wanted and headed off to buy it.

My preferred option is SLS spacers in the rear (using either Tombie's kit if he does another production run - hint, hint, hint

- or the 4X4 Intelligence kit - same design) giving an added 50mm and then OME Shocks right around and OME springs up front (taking inot account the +50mm lift).

Low and behold, when I rocked into my local ARB store to buy said products I get in response "we don't cater to airbag model Disco's, only coils on all four".

So I asked since when, to which they couldn't answer.

I thought okay, I will just request the specific parts I want and do it all myself, to which the response was "unless the parts are fitted by an OME certfied technician, the warranty would be null and void"

At this stage I am more than a little confused/angry/exasperated.

I had heard from a few mates that the service had really taken a nose dive at our local ARB since the franchise had changed hands, but this was ridiculous.

Has anyone had anything like this experience with ARB lately? Now I know plenty on here have OME fitted to airbag discos (even one of my mates has one which he fitted up himself last year), but has anyone done it recently - say in the last 3 months or so?

Further - what are everyone's reccomendations? Should I cut OME loose and head for some of the other options - mainly either the XGS Golds from TJM or Bilsteins along with some springs (I need to have a hunt around on hear again for springs as I spent more time researching shocks

)

Any feedback on this plus advice on the way ahead would be greatly appreciated.

Fro

**VladTepes** · 27th July 2010, 04:08 PM

When you say

Has anyone had anything like this experience with ARB lately?

surely you mean

Has anyone had anything OTHER than **** poor service at ARB ever ?

**strangy** · 27th July 2010, 04:31 PM

I understand your frustration.
So unless you believe that ARB are the people capable of supplying the gear you want... ditch them. Shane at Suspension Stuff has been good to deal with and can offer you a number of combinations Springs/Shocks at good prices, and will assist you to make the decision on what combination you need/want. There are others out there as well.

Regardless of the vehicle I need parts for, as soon as the sales people prove to be lazy, unknowledgeable or disinterested, USELESS, I just go to soemone who actually wants my money. Sadly this is quite common in Alice and interstate and UK companies regularly get my business.

Cheers

**spudboy** · 27th July 2010, 04:49 PM

Maybe you should have a read of this thread about lifting a Puma with ARB. Not exactly applicable to a D2, but PovMan has had a few problems with his....

HELP! Anyone raised a PUMA? Big TROUBLE!!!

**spudboy** · 27th July 2010, 04:55 PM

You could try LRA. Their website uses frames so I don't think I can give you a direct link, but here's the suspension starting page for D2s:
Coil Springs

Coil Springs
Read about our extensive range of coil springgs for Land Rover. We are un-matched with our services, range and ability to produce custom made springs.

Click here to price / purchase springs.

Land Rover’s are still the best riding 4WD on the market. The suspension geometry is superior to all current and past 4WD’s up to date. The success of the Land Rover suspension is the ability to articulate or cross the axles keeping all four wheels on the ground giving the vehicle maximum drive and traction with an extremely comfortable ride.

Springs are not used in Land Rovers as a handling component but more for load carrying and height adjustment. Setting up a vehicles suspension is as individual as the drivers. This is why Les Richmond Automotive manufactures more than 13 sizes of springs to suit Land Rovers.

Springs need to be chosen to suit the vehicles load carrying requirements and height requirements and the vehicles use. The choice of a coil springs also needs to take into account the amount of wheel travel the vehicle has.

The maximum heights LR Automotive set standard vehicles to without causing steering problems or vibrations are as follows.

...

froryan · 27th July 2010, 05:08 PM

Originally Posted by spudboy

You could try LRA....

I did consider LRA but had decided on the OME becasue of a numebr of factors, including that they have a pretty wide spread dealer network should I need to replace anything due to some unfortunate circumstance.

I will now be going back and reconsidering LRA

**Slunnie** · 27th July 2010, 08:32 PM

I'd just go to a different ARB seller. It sounds like the shop is trying it on.

**Hastykiwi** · 27th July 2010, 09:01 PM

Ahh there are things they can do, but they cannot contract out of a warranty. To say "sorry because your warranty no longer applies because we didn't install this or that does not void a warranty. They would still need to show that your install caused the problem, so frankly this is bull****.

cheers
Nick

Rangier Rover · 27th July 2010, 09:07 PM

I have found ARB really good actually. Have a Mate in the business in Mudgee and have even talked to the in house engineers on custom swapping components. In my case diff locks and side gears.
Have had no issues with installing stuff my self as far as warranty goes. You need a new store

It only takes one long necked goose to bugger a good shop.

Try to stay with the SLS if you can. My 120 is not SLS etc but now MLS

Best thing I ever did is divorce the coils

**long stroke** · 27th July 2010, 09:09 PM

Matman on here is running the toughdog suspension kit (springs and shocks) it seems to do the job!! he hasn't had any drammers yet.

Everytime we have had something to do with ARB we have been stuffed around

Crap service IMO

TIM.

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ARB + Suspension = WTF!!!

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