PastyMuncher83
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Might take you up on that offer next time I'm up that way.
P38 on springs- Poor ride quality!
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Might take you up on that offer next time I'm up that way.
PastyMuncher83
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I think the issue after going through the paperwork is the coil springs are the cheapest standard britpart ones available. The new Cellular Dynamic shocks are probably doing there best to compensate that. EAS will no doubt be the permanent solution but in the short term, after just shelling out for the LPG conversion and the Shocks I'm trying to find some decent springs and will start looking at what I need to go to EAS once I've refilled the piggy bank!
Datatek
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Changing the springs will make little or no difference, the shocks are most likely the problem as it is they that control the rate at which the springs compress on a bump, unless of course the springs are very very stiff.
StuckAgainSteve
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I've been off road in all sorts of cars - I came to naturally equate off-roading with spectacularly bad discomfort, spine jarring bumps or the other end of the scale (RRC on springs) comfort with scary lean angles and a lot of off-throttle bouncing around waiting to retain control again! Then I bought a P38 and I must say it astonished me - the ride off-road is superb - as if most of the bumps have been ironed flat - the lean of the car stays in check and it doesn't wallow (too much!)
The EAS system is fairly reliable as long as you keep on top of maintenance - IMHO people only change to springs through ignorance - whether that be on the part of the owner or the spannerman looking after the car.
I'm sure there must be some sorted P38s on springs - but what's the point? The standard system and standard dampers are bang on the money out the factory.
The EAS system is fairly reliable as long as you keep on top of maintenance - IMHO people only change to springs through ignorance - whether that be on the part of the owner or the spannerman looking after the car.
I'm sure there must be some sorted P38s on springs - but what's the point? The standard system and standard dampers are bang on the money out the factory.
Castor
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Falk
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Looks like i got a dodgy recommendation then! So OEM is a good route for the shocks by the sounds of it (if it ain't broke don't f**k with it!)
Datatek
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And they will also be fine if you do the right thing and put it back on air.
FurnessCarCo
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Put back the original air suspension. Springs are dangerous in my opinion, sends your car all over the place!
danb79
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I have one on springs with good oem shocks and it drives great certainly not dangerous hugs the corners never bottomed out with little body roll, certainly less than the sprinter van i used to drive!
PastyMuncher83
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Just a little update as I know ice read countless threads that never end with an actual solution to the initial issue!
I am planning on going back to airbags in the not too distant future. But for the minute the ride quality has been sorted with the same set up. All I did was take all the shocks off and prime them, something i didn't realise was rqd!! You learn the hard way!
Anyway after priming all four shocks re-fitted and the difference is like night and day.
Much smoother road manners then both my classics, haven't off roaded yet but the difference is instantly noticeable:
Fitting new shocks, always prime them first!
Rookie mistake
I am planning on going back to airbags in the not too distant future. But for the minute the ride quality has been sorted with the same set up. All I did was take all the shocks off and prime them, something i didn't realise was rqd!! You learn the hard way!
Anyway after priming all four shocks re-fitted and the difference is like night and day.
Much smoother road manners then both my classics, haven't off roaded yet but the difference is instantly noticeable:
Fitting new shocks, always prime them first!
Rookie mistake
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All shock absorbers should always be exercised for their full travel in their fitted attitude before assembly.
Last edited:
brianp38dse
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You live and learn I didn't know that about shocks never seen an instructions on that.
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brianp38dse
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Yep every day is a learning day.
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You would have thought they'd slowly bed in with use. Apparently not. Only did mine because someone on here said to.
brianp38dse
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so I had better tack my shocks I put on couple of years ago and sort them
PastyMuncher83
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Sorry to ressurect this but my ride quality is still shockingly bad and now I'm transporting a new arrival to this world I need it sorted.
Seems I have two options-
1.Replace the cheapo britpart springs with bearmach blue springs. Around £150 for the springs.
2. Convert it back to airbags. Should cost around £300 for parts as long as there's no surprises.
I would prefer going for the airbags but all I read about is how unreliable the system is. If I replace the valve block o-rings, overhaul the compressor, fit 4 new Dunlop bags, fit the manual inflation valves and buy the diagnostic software (windows based) would I be naive thinking I could run eas without getting stuck anywhere?
Seems I have two options-
1.Replace the cheapo britpart springs with bearmach blue springs. Around £150 for the springs.
2. Convert it back to airbags. Should cost around £300 for parts as long as there's no surprises.
I would prefer going for the airbags but all I read about is how unreliable the system is. If I replace the valve block o-rings, overhaul the compressor, fit 4 new Dunlop bags, fit the manual inflation valves and buy the diagnostic software (windows based) would I be naive thinking I could run eas without getting stuck anywhere?
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It is only like everything else unreliable if it is neglected and not kept up to scratch. It is very reliable if maintained properly.
300bhp/ton
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I didn't read the whole thread, so apologies if you've answered this.
But what exactly is wrong with the ride? I see mention early on it's too boaty and hits the bump stops off road. So does it soak up bumps on the road too, or is it very rough.
If you are just getting lots of lean, then that probably isn't just springs. If it's ride, then springs & shocks most likely culprits.
Honestly I've never looked into it, but I assume a standard sized LR springs fit. If so, maybe see if you can blag or buy some used ones, maybe off a Disco or something. You really want to get hold of some standard OEM springs. Then it's just a matter of swapping them in and seeing if they improve things.
I'd have thought if you contact someone breaking a Disco, they might let you have all 4 springs for £30 or so.
Another thing to look at are wheels. 18" rims can make the ride less supple compared to 16" rims. Also worth checking tyre pressures too.
That said, my p38a runs on 18's, but it is on air. It rides sublimely.
