Thread: Over extending front shocks - D4

I'm not sure that I'm completely on the same page as you. But I'm pretty sure lucky 8 in the US sell disks or straps that limit travel.

Mine did the same thing and damaged quite a bit of stuff on the front left suspension area. However, my struts had done over 200,000km and needed changing anyway.

Mine haven't even hit 100,000km yet and looks like i'm having to replace both front ones.
I've got a week up the high country from this weekend, so will have to try to get them done beforehand, particularly if its going to lead to further damage. Do you recall what additional damage you had when yours let go?

I think I posted about it at the time. Mine was dodgy for an unknown period of time and it could have been quite a long time. I damaged the sway bar, upper and lower control arms and some other bits. I think an engine mount as well because the shaft was moving the diff but I can't remember the exact details. However, it was a lot of work and expense just to fix the damaged bits.


As luck would have it, the car was on the hoist to replace the front air strut assemblies when they noticed the issue. The front left just dropped way down due to all the stuff that was bent and it was generally not liking life at all! I think my post had a heading about "increased articulation" if you want to try to search for it.


Your struts will be worn out at 100,000km anyway. That's about when they should be changed. I changed the rears before that mileage but not the fronts. However, it is now much better with the new ones.

Hmmm better replace my air struts before our GRR trip next year then.... Ours has 198 000km and original struts and therefore i assume original shocks....

Originally Posted by Russrobe

Hmmm better replace my air struts before our GRR trip next year then.... Ours has 198 000km and original struts and therefore i assume original shocks....

If you ask Graeme, he would say that they last 30,000km but I wasn't too unhappy with mine even at 200,000km and with excessive downward droop. I didn't know anything was wrong until it went on the hoist, although there were some tell tail Patrol like creaks and thumps when fully articulated. Since I also had a Patrol I didn't really think anything of it.

Originally Posted by BobD

If you ask Graeme, he would say that they last 30,000km but I wasn't too unhappy with mine even at 200,000km and with excessive downward droop. I didn't know anything was wrong until it went on the hoist, although there were some tell tail Patrol like creaks and thumps when fully articulated. Since I also had a Patrol I didn't really think anything of it.

Mine seems to have none of those signs. In saying that until the last 10 000 kms it looks to have never left the tarcmac... Has definitely towed though.

Should be pretty easy to tell if they are over-extending. If they are, you will likely have an obvious mark on the metal airbag cover where the top arm is coming down and hitting it.
I've ended up getting a pair sent from UK, at just over a quarter of the local list price (OEM vs genuine mind you - although probably the same). Christmas would be cancelled if i had to pay local prices.