Thread: Replacement struts

Rear struts on MY05/06 are different, possibly with different mounts, to MY07+ so make sure you get ones that are compatible with your model. All earlier front struts supersede to MY09 part numbers which means that the firmer D4 fronts will also fit. However I suggest that you don't fit D4 front shocks with early D3 rears as the ride and handling will be uneven front vs rear.

Cheers Graeme

Thanks for that info, all my searching did not reveal that info. I have read a fair bit after searching but most of the info is outdated with few updates on the info.
Bilstein appears to have failure problems - but no updates if this has been rectified, same with Koni.
My car has all the fruit, bar, winch etc and I was looking for some better shocks, but not if they don't last, I mean who can afford to replace them so often?

In your opinion, would the stiffer D4 ones be ok with the heavier front and the standard D3 rears be ok? I seem to remember someone running that in some of my reading....but then what options do I have when loaded up?
Cheers again,
Kev

I fitted MY09 D3 fronts to my D4 a day and 240Kms ahead of replacing the D4 rears with D3s after only 35K on the D4s. I had thought that I might retain the D4 rears as the fronts were giving the most trouble for my wife's dud back but the handling was awkward.

I don't know in what way the early rears are different but I have a vague recollection that the location of the top mounting holes are in a different position with regards to the air-line connection. You might want to follow-up on this as any difference may be able to be accommodated with a non-standard airline connection if that's all the difference is, or maybe re-drill bolt holes.

BTW I subsequently found that MY12+ D4 shocks are not as harsh as the original MY10 shocks were. The MY12 also have a longer internal helper/bump-stop (fronts at least) that gets hit more frequently than earlier ones, necessary due to softer valving, but still provided more control than the MY09 D3 shocks.

Cheers Graeme, yes I will have to investigate as all advertising in reference to the rears just say suits all models 2005 - 2009, so I will define tiny check before buying.

The Indi i use have tried all every type of strut,on D3/4,but ended going back to genuine LR.

Every one they fitted with a Koni or Bilstein shock failed during the warranty period.

They generally use bilstein shocks all vehicles without EAS,never have any trouble.

Thanks Scarry, seems to be the general consensus. Can you comment on Graeme's advice that 2005/06 are different rears? Because I have the usual accessories which obviously add weight, I'd like to go to D4 if they have better valving....if possible.

Cheers
Kev

The rears are easy enough to remove so if someone not too far away has a worn-out one from a later model it could be compared or tried. However there should be a workshop somewhere that has changed 05/06 rears to know of any incompatibility issues.

Edit: The LR part number is RPD000309 which still shows everywhere as the current part number for 05/06 except for Island4x4 who list the part as being interchangeable with the latest D3 part number in the Delphi range. However the shock part number for 05/06 supersedes to the last of the D3 part numbers so there does seem to be a difference in the air-spring rather than the shock, suggesting a different mount or air-line attachment.

Another edit: The (bare) air-spring part number supersedes into the D4 range so D4 shocks should fit! Perhaps LR failed to update the strut assembly part# in the parts catalogue which most suppliers appear to reference.

Originally Posted by TD50WA

Thanks Scarry, seems to be the general consensus. Can you comment on Graeme's advice that 2005/06 are different rears? Because I have the usual accessories which obviously add weight, I'd like to go to D4 if they have better valving....if possible.

Cheers
Kev

No,i don't know enough about them,Graeme is the wiz on this subject