Thread: Shock Absorbers (rear 110)

Originally Posted by Michael2

Yep.

530mm shocker length at ride height.

minus 385mm compressed length = 145mm

distance to bump stop is 140mm.

So the bump stop should touch just before the shocker punches itself.

Nope! Too close...

Bump stop will go another 20-30mm offroad

Originally Posted by Michael2

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.

EDITED... Correction!!!

I was about to let you know that then spotted this post...

755 is a MILD spring... 280Lbs....

You have the optimum spring for your tank etc...

Your spring FREE length is only 435mm long

These give a defender a 40mm lift. With a Long Range Tank.


Something isnt adding up

Originally Posted by Michael2

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.

Thats what he has said, but actually it's incorrect and a cop out. It doesn't matter how much load is in it, if the shock is incorrect in its length for the spring, it's going to stuff the shock. If they had their measurements correct, then there wouldn't be a problem. The way they have had it setup, apart from the weight of the axle, the suspension while fully drooped still has been placing an additional 1400lb roughly on each rear shock, and thats a lot of force to have hammered into it after every bump and corrugation. Thats really whats broken it. The additional 500kg is just reducing the incidence of the hammering, but it's still there.

Originally Posted by beaverqld

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.

A recurrent problem I had with all manufacturers except Bilstein & KONI, was that they said their product would only last 40,000km. Some even halved that when the shock was modified.

The Bilsteins I ended up with have a 100,000km warranty, and the KONI I put on my parabolic sprung SIII were said to be good for 400,000km.

The Bilsteins have worked out pretty well, yet to go off road with them, that will be next w'end, but I have no reason to doubt them.