Non-OEM D3 shocks

[Graeme]

After having fitted non-OEM (Britpart) D3 shock/spring assemblies to my D4 1000 kms ago, I'm certain that the shocks have far less slow speed damping than the genuine LR MY09 D3 shocks I fitted 2 years ago. The vehicle wallows at 100 kph, especially the front, which I did not occur with the genuine D3 shocks. I don't know if I'm coming down with some dreaded lurgy but I could barely stay awake driving this afternoon even after having stopped for a walk.

I cannot recommend these as replacements for genuine D3 shocks.

[rick130]

You fitted Britpart dampers ?
Your deity only knows where they may have been made.

If you are going to use aftermarket dampers, use Koni, Bilstein, Delphi/De carbon or The Ultimate Suspension from here in NSW.

[AnD3rew]

Never heard a good word said about Britpart.

[Mike_S]

Nicknamed s***part by my independent LR specialist in the UK.

[Graeme]

They were purchased from Famous Four in the UK with no indication of the brand, not that I had any knowledge of any bad Britpart reputation. I noticed the partly ground away Land Rover logo on the bottom of the fronts (I had already fitted the rears) and wondered if they were refurbished used ones or grabbed from a pile of ready to be used LR genuines. I got an inkling of a problem when I took my van for a short run and the front of the D4 bounced quite badly but thought (hoped) it might have been caused by no load in the rear of the D4.

I understand that these shocks are the same as what can be purchased through various Oz outlets, hence the warning that they might not be particularly suitable. The shock body, the springs, the bottom bush with LR brand and part number and the paint marks on the top nut appeared identical to the D3 Delphi shocks/springs when compared side by side before fitment although obviously the valving could not be compared. I anticipated that the valving might be different but not this different.

[Graeme]

If you are going to use aftermarket dampers, use Koni, Bilstein, Delphi/De carbon or The Ultimate Suspension from here in NSW.

AFAIK currently Bilstein and Konis are withdrawn from sale whilst they work out why they blow front seals and no other brand of shock is available. These are described as OEM on the web-site which would therefore be Delphi.

[TerryO]

Hi Graeme,

I have had a set of these replacement Delphi shocks fitted for about two months now and I can tell you they are way better than the set of blown Koni's they replaced. In total I have done about 3,000 k's on them.

Are they a bit soft on dampening? yes a bit but even with a front bar and winch fitted, plus rock sliders and rear wheel carrier they seem to handle reasonably well.

I have also done over 1,000 k's mainly in the Vic and NSW high country towing our van over Christmas and I was very happy with them. They are not perfect but they have been much better so far than I expected.

cheers,
Terry

[Geedublya]

Bilsteins seem to work OK on the rear, mine have 50K on them now without an issue. Fronts were not lasting 10K.
Replacement Delphis on the front are genuine Landrover and have 30K now. They don't have the control off the Bilsteins in either compression or rebound but are acceptable.

[rick130]

Pretty sure The Ultimate Suspension have a rebuildable/revalveable twin tube damper available for the D3, and as they used to use de Carbon (Delphi) as their house damper can probably revalve them still too.

[rick130]

AFAIK currently Bilstein and Konis are withdrawn from sale whilst they work out why they blow front seals and no other brand of shock is available. These are described as OEM on the web-site which would therefore be Delphi.

Hi Graeme,

I have had a set of these replacement Delphi shocks fitted for about two months now and I can tell you they are way better than the set of blown Koni's they replaced. In total I have done about 3,000 k's on them.

[snip]

cheers,
Terry

What could be so weird about the D3 suspension to cause seal failure ?
Does it use a very high motion ratio ?
Is it possible for a bending motion to be introduced into the shaft ?

Some of the racecars I've worked on had high rocker ratios and shaft extensions on the dampers which combined with a Bilsteins puny 14mm shaft and coilover springs (plus nil droop) exerted sideways forces on the top cap bearing/seal.
It wasn't pretty and resulted in very high amounts of stiction too.

I'll have a crawl under a friends D3 this morning and have a look-see at the setup.
We tend to park together in our own special little Land Rover carpark under some trees when going for morning coffee.