Suspension and Roof Tent

Our 20 odd year old Defender can sway from side to side when overtaking lorries and the like on the motorway when fully laden on the roof. We're about to put the new roof tent on there and I wonder if fellow owners had any recommendations as to whether to firm up the suspension, the cost, and the hassle?

P_DEUCE said:

Our 20 odd year old Defender can sway from side to side when overtaking lorries and the like on the motorway when fully laden on the roof. We're about to put the new roof tent on there and I wonder if fellow owners had any recommendations as to whether to firm up the suspension, the cost, and the hassle?

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Hi. I put a pair of Terrafirma Explorer shocks on mine and they helped side sway no end. Not that expensive and easy to fit. Also not a bad ride day to day either.

sounds like a damper problem..does she sit fine on the springs? or is she sagging?

no real hassle at the back, get a couple of new nylocs if you have to split the nuts....the fronts weren't a problem but I broke off every nut on the turret rings...so worth having a couple of spare rings to just swap over....heavy duty galved or normal whatever flavour you want

Dampers....I havent carried much on the roof to date so my recommendations don't carry any weight...get the best you can afford...check your bushes for wear while you are at it

Thanks for the responses both. I'll look into those. No the Landy is not sagging at all and manages well with loads, but it's quite possible the suspension has barely been looked at since new.

P_DEUCE said:

Thanks for the responses both. I'll look into those. No the Landy is not sagging at all and manages well with loads, but it's quite possible the suspension has barely been looked at since new.

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How old ? We have a 92 CSW 110 and with roof tent, so I fitted progressive springs and new shocks on the back and HD on the front to cope with the winch.

What else do you have on the roof... Even with the tent you are exceeding the UK roof load capacity of 75 KG.150KG rotw(rest of the world) and that's the exact reason there. If you load over 75 you want to be careful as it WILL impact your cog(centre of gravity) and cause issues with road usage. Load it up for an expedition, but drive it like you are on one. As slow as can be, as fast as necessary.

Looking at your pic is it a CSW ? If you have the Suspension BOGE, that may well be your issue. They rarely work after 15 years, take a look under the rear A frame in the middle and see if there is a big bulb hanging down.


CSW were designed for occasional load hence, this item pumped up the suspension only when loaded. See paragraph above, progressive springs took care of that for me, (left it in place)

P_DEUCE said:

Our 20 odd year old Defender can sway from side to side when overtaking lorries and the like on the motorway when fully laden on the roof. We're about to put the new roof tent on there and I wonder if fellow owners had any recommendations as to whether to firm up the suspension, the cost, and the hassle?

Click to expand...

Try those air bag thingies you pit into the rear springs. Cheap and work well and removable.