Thread: Shock Absorbers (rear 110)

I have been through all the same dilema a year ago, I now run extended upwards front and rear upper mounts that allow me to run OME N73L TLC80/100 series competition shocks with 286mm travel, 667mm open, 381mm closed, front and rear.
Front springs are OME 764's, rear springs are currently OME 755's with 15mm lower spring spacers. The rear is a bit soft fully loaded so will be moving to OME762's.
It now has much more articulation than std and is 2.5inches higher, works very well.
I looked at all the options that have already been mentioned, and more!
I have attached picture, hope it works.

Nik

Originally Posted by nikjt

I have attached picture, hope it works.

Nik

Thanks Nik, I'm looking forward to downward articulation instead of an airbourne rear end.

Originally Posted by Captain_Rightfoot

My standard fender breaks them. I think it's the angle of the pin. The answer may be to leave the bush a little loose.

Are you talking of the rear upper mounting pin?
I dont like the angle of it at rest, but I assume it changes as the tyre "swivels" up and it becomes more appropriate.
I did bust two of the three mounting bolts that hold the pin - I could'nt find the third- maybe it undid itself - on the Bloomfield track and looking at the wear after 30,000klm on the poly bush would confirm my unease.

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Originally Posted by DeeJay

... looking at the wear after 30,000klm on the poly bush would confirm my unease.

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I wonder whether it might be better to use rubber ones and replace them more often. Better to destroy a 50c piece of rubber than a $250 shock absorber. I'll ask for a professional opinion when I pick up the shocks.

I cant wait to see the ride, but it will be a few months till I finish this project vehicle.
Poly bushes were OK - a bit hard but there are softer versions now. I'm staying with rubber, better the devil you know.
Dont forget to ask for the stone protectors to be incl in that $510.00 offer

I broke an eye off the top of a rear shock last weekend. I welded it on at an angle to compensate for the way the shock tries to bend the eye when its working.......

This guy makes top shock mounts:
Rovertym Engineering
Not sure how much longer than stock they are.........

I got a call back from the tech guy at ARB today. The spring that came on my Defender (from the previous owner) is supposed to have a minimum 500kg of weight on it according to ARB. The lack of ballast has been causing it to top out and wreck the seal.

I suppose that's the kind of information one misses when they buy the vehicle with the mods already fitted.

My Bilsteins will be ready tomorrow, so I'll see how it runs with them. With fuel, water, tools etc I'm guessing that I have half of that ballast.

I'll let you know more, by way of comparison, once the Bilsteins have been fitted.

Originally Posted by Michael2

I've got a dead shock absorber on the back of the Defender.

The shocks are ARB OME

The Defender has a 55mm lift and H/Duty rear coils.
The Spring retaining height is 620mm (that's with the spring fully extended, but still in place).


The Bump stop distance at this height is 210mm


The Normal Ride Height is 530mm
The Bump Stop distance at Ride height is 145mm.

The OME shockers have a fully extended length of 520mm (560 according to AR.

That means that the Defender had 3cm of suspension extension!
I called ARB, they thought it was okay. Huh?
No wonder the rear end kept bouncing in the air off road, and I thought it was just because of the very stiff springs. There was an extra 10cm of suspension travel that the shocks didn't allow for.

Now I'm looking for replacement shocks - any recommendations?

ARB and Ironman have the same limiting lengths.

O/L (Toughdog) can custom make a length (3 week delay) - prices range from $110 - $275 per shock depending on type & supplier.

KONI 8240-1190 SPX goes from 349mm - 565mm, so is a bit closer. ($575 pair 4 week back order).

KONI RAID 90-5375 (576mm extended) are $1066 pair.
KONI RAID 90-5401 (607mm extended) are $1076 pair.

Fred Smith is looking into what he can get to suit, yet to hear back, but will update when I do.

Obviously the KONI RAID 90-5401 is the right shock, just the price is unaffordable.

Bilstein don't make a shock long enough, and reading through previous posts on the forum, thet're too expensive to modify - may as well buy the KONIs by the time I mod the Bilsteins.

So what say the experts?

I'm looking at the same thing and am talking with TSR shock absorber and reconditioners at Slacks Creek, near Springwood in Brissie. They can get in some extra long travel shocks for a reasonable $125 each. $250/pair. Phone is (07) 3808 2455. I have looked at a lot of shocks including the "Woods" shocks and these appear to suit the Australian conditions significantly better than a lot of imported shocks. Let me know what you think!! Nathan.