Suspension in 2012 110.

[voltron]

I have been very happy with all aspects of the 110 so far with 5000km on the clock and loading her up nearly every weekend for camping trips with the family.

I just got back from a trip to Barrington and it is the first time I have encountered boney corrugated dirt road in the Defender and this road had about 45mins worth of bone jarring nauseum, I feel sorry for the poor Grader driver who has to try and work with that material. I went up on my own this time so the car wasn't really carrying anything substantial weight wise. I could handle it but I don't think my wife and children could, no matter what speed I travelled at and I was planning on going back with them soon.

I have been reading about a few of the guys who switched to Firestone Airbags and wandering if this will solve my problem. I am a bit hesitant about messing with anything that is related to handling and suspension dynamics outside of factory. Also some people have raised the concern of bigger problems should one fail when out in isolation but that could happen to any engine part I guess.

Thoughts thanks guys.

Cheers

[goingbush]

Sounds like your tyres are too hard,
What tyre pressures are you running ?

[voltron]

Sounds like your tyres are too hard,
What tyre pressures are you running ?

45 psi from memory mate. Never really considered that though is it was the factory setting from when I pick up the car.

[redrovertdi]

I generally run at 36 pounds[300tdi 110] with more air in the back subject to load, 45 alround is way to hard on the car and passengers in my opinion

[Leroy_Riding]

Agree with those above, my 90 was unbearable at 40+psi running 38psi all round now much more bearable, on corrugations Id possibly go to 36/34 to soften it out.
Leroy

[voltron]

I generally run at 36 pounds[300tdi 110] with more air in the back subject to load, 45 alround is way to hard on the car and passengers in my opinion

Is that on all terrain tyres??

Happy to try it if it is.

Thanks

[voltron]

Agree with those above, my 90 was unbearable at 40+psi running 38psi all round now much more bearable, on corrugations Id possibly go to 36/34 to soften it out.
Leroy

Ok thanks Leroy.

[goingbush]

there is your problem, this pressures are way high.

235 / 85 r16 AT's
I run 28 front , 32 rear with 110 empty ,
loaded its 32 front 40 rear

[Bundalene]

What speed were you doing?



Corrugations tend to ride better when sitting above 70kms per hour. Any less than this can be quite uncomfortable. We travel the Gove road a lot with over 600kms of corrugations each way and try to stay above 80kms per hour. At this speed the corrugations all but disappear.


We run a a bit under 40psi on BFG mud terrains. (vehicle loaded and towing a boat) Also have Polyairs in the rear, pressurised to level the vehicle.




Erich

[BilboBoggles]

I also agree with tyre pressures , 32/28 see to work really well on corrugations.

One other thing that might be worth trying - and something I recently did on my 2003 Defender - I had the springs changed to longer but softer springs. I gained about 1-2" in ride height. I'm not sure of the rates but they were a little bit softer than stock, but the ride is unbelievably smooth now. It glides over bumps and corrugations instead of shaking itself to bits. I used to drive range rovers, and am used to the soft almost floating ride, and it's a lot closer to that now. In fact I just got back from a corrugated road trip with a smile on my face with the way it handled.

Only slight issue is that the TD5 does not have sway bars, so it does tend to lean a little bit more in corners, but nothing like the old Range Rover used to do.

The advantage of softer longer springs is that you don't need engineering certificates, the total cost is around $400-$500 and you keep the vehicle stock from a warranty perspective. And you also gain significant increases in offroad articulation.