Thread: Constant driving with LLAMS

Originally Posted by Guppy

Hi all,

Anyone running LLAMS at lower height continuously on their D4? I would be interested in pros and cons found by you all

Thanks

Gup

Not a good idea, unless you are prepared to have the vehicle wheel aligned at the height you wish to run at. Note that the wheel alignment settings ( particularly the front end ) change substantially at the access and raised heights, when the vehicle is aligned at the normal ride height in tight tolerance mode. Llams or not, if you are running at any height the vehicle has not been aligned at, whatever that is, your wheel alignment is out.

It may not feel like it at the wheel, ( power steering disguises a lot ) but it is easily enough to chew the tyres out over a long trip.

I have my D4 booked in for a wheel alignment tomorrow and intend to have it done at normal height of course, however going to get them to check readings at normal height +30mm (Llams fitted).

Will be posting the results.

Cheers, Craig

I hear a slight increase in tyre noise that could be caused by being closer to the source of the noise, the sound waves reverberate differently in the smaller air gap between the road and vehicle or the alignment slightly out. A wheel alignment check at normal height then the lowered height would reveal any adverse changes but as the height is the standard high speed height, I suspect the alignment isn't out by much. I often lower for fast bends because the lower stance improves stability and tracking with my softer D3 suspension and 17" LT tyres.

Thanks for the feedback,
I suspected the alignment would change - has anyone considered aligning at this height enabling improved stability and economy with speed and long distances?

Gup

Whilst I find the ride a little softer on slightly bumpy surfaces when lowered, the bump-stops are too close for many of the bumps in my local rural roads which causes the ride to suddenly become a lot harsher. If anything, I find the medium height setting (+30 mm) provides a generally better ride but the handling suffers on corners. I've permanently raised the front of my D4 10mm for extra bump-stop clearance at normal height because its enough to make some difference, which would also contribute to the reason for the better handling on the low setting.

I think part of the improved stability at the lower height is due to the more negative camber at this height, along with a lower suspension geometry roll centre and slightly lower C of G and perhaps increased caster. If the alignment was done at this height there might not be such an improvement unless only the toe was corrected, assuming it alters enough to warrant correction. Note that the D4 has a lower roll centre than the D3 due to changes in the suspension components to achieve this.

I have had LLAMS fitted for just under a year and have covered about 10,000km with it fitted - I run all the time with -20 selected and I have not noticed any unusual tyre wear. I have never had a wheel alignment in the 25,000km of ownership as I am a believer that if it is OK don't tamper with it.

My driving life experiences with wheel alignments are not good where the alignment was done for the sake of having it done - where alignment seemed OK at the start, getting an alignment has stuffed it up and my vehicles have had to go back and back to get fixed. So unless I identify an issue, no alignment for me.

Garry

Had llams for six months now and covered nearly 17k kms with all heights used with offroading etc. I love the firm feeling of +30 setting and the extra vision, but am not sure I would be using all the time in case it puts excess wear on the compressor. Driving at -20 is too harsh and would not be pleasant to drive long distance!

Originally Posted by adzee

Driving at -20 is too harsh and would not be pleasant to drive long distance!

That is not my experience.

Garry