Thread: Soft suspension - how to fix it?

Originally Posted by candeniz

My understanding is that SLS only comes with 7 seaters. I have a 5seater d2 2003. I also dont have the third button on my remote handset to manually lower the suspension. Or am i thinking of ACE feature? Correct me if I'm wrong. Thanks

ACE is cornering enhancement system.
Different to SLS.
ACE has rams to stabilise the car during cornering .. instead of static anti roll bars.

the rear of your suspension looks to have airbag 'springs' instead of coils.

I don't know what model D2 comes with what features, but I wouldn't have thought that SLS would only have been an option for the 7 seaters.
It's handy for the 7 seaters for rear passengers to enter/exit, but there's more to the SLS system than just that feature.
You should have a button on the dash that raises the rear suspension for off road clearance.

I reckon it's worth looking at changing the shocks(or dampers, as Johntins says). And as already said, look for a good set of shocks from a reputable manufacturer.

I'm looking at changing mine soon(even tho they feel fine by hand) .. I get too much lateral sideways skipping form my D1 on corrugated roads(at low speeds!), where I remember my Koni shod RRC wasn't so bad.
The only experience I've had with bilsteins were on an old Lancia(HPE) I had many years ago, and they felt brilliant .. so I'm going to opt for a set of Bilsteins son for the D1 soon.

My D2 is a works in progress at the moment, but the very short drive I've had in it, it feels OK. Too short tho for a proper assessment, so once that's on the road, I'll know more.
But, to get this one on the road, I had to purchase a second D2 for parts. It was located a few klms away by freeway. No reg, so I got a cover note to get it back to my place only.
The car drove ok, made lots of noise .. like a disconnected exhaust and generally felt ok, except the rock hard ride.
Owner explained that it had 'new shocks' fitted before the loud noise of the engine meant it was time to sell it. So they'd only done a few hundred klms(in effect brand new .. and they look it).
BUT!!... they have the compression of solid steel ... ie. nothing at all.
The 15min drive back home was unbearable only in that the ride was way too choppy over even simple bumps and undulations. Engine noise barely bothered me at all by comparison!
Even tho the (parts D2)shocks are 'new' .. if it turns out my D2 project car needs shocks, I'd never think of using these 'new' ones on the parts car. I'd just get new ones for the project car .. and definitely not that hard.

Yesterday I drove a track that crosses a river a few times(in my D1). Most of those fords are large river rocks, and the car dips into and bumps over them .. can't be helped.
The thing that annoyed me tho wasn't the harsh rocking this way and that, it was the inability for the car to soak up those bumps(ie. suspension too too hard!) .. so it jolted me this way and that as well .. every jolt meant a small lurch on the steering .. and perpetuated the jerkiness even more.

Originally Posted by candeniz

My understanding is that SLS only comes with 7 seaters. I have a 5seater d2 2003. I also dont have the third button on my remote handset to manually lower the suspension. Or am i thinking of ACE feature? Correct me if I'm wrong. Thanks

Sure looks like an airbag to me. AFAIK, the remote height thing only came with the high end models. Mine didn't have it ( wish it did, makes hooking up trailers a breeze ).

Originally Posted by AK83

I'm looking at changing mine soon(even tho they feel fine by hand) .. I get too much lateral sideways skipping form my D1 on corrugated roads(at low speeds!), where I remember my Koni shod RRC wasn't so bad.

Definitely time then, that is the axle bouncing, which the damper is supposed to stop.

Originally Posted by AK83

The only experience I've had with bilsteins were on an old Lancia(HPE) I had many years ago, and they felt brilliant .. so I'm going to opt for a set of Bilsteins son for the D1 soon.

Billy's in a Lancia. Would have been great. I had 'em in a Fiat 124.

Yeah, did the shocker rubbers, and a little better. Changed the panhard rod to polys, and a little better again .. but still just enough 'drifting' on corrugated corners to be annoying to suspect the shocks now.
had them off as I had to change the tower retainer ring things, and they feel fine(as in well damped).

it it were just the rear drifting, I'd suspect A frame bushes or balljoint or radius to chassis bushes, but it's both front and rear drifting and a PITA.
If it was simple drifting, I'd probably just enjoy the ride(and feel) but it's a snatch and grab jerky drift .. not good.

Originally Posted by johntins

...


Billy's in a Lancia. Would have been great. I had 'em in a Fiat 124.

HPE was one of my favourite cars ... if it didn't disappear before my eyes into a pile of reddish brown dust!

Like all Land Rovers, you can order anything you want as an option on any model,, well nearly.
but ACE and SLS were options on all models,, but SLS was fitted to all 7 seat models.


and if the SLS remotes werent so expensive I'd have one in a flash,,

must be another way to dump the D2 on its bum,,