B

Benji55

Active Member
I read an earlier thread saying the suspension height is affected by springs and not shock absorbers. I have an earlier 90 that originally had a 2” lift kit. I changed the springs for genuine standard height springs but it still looks high. I appreciate wheels and tires can also affect height. Is there a way of measuring to see if the suspension is standard height and if so what should it be?
Thanks
 
Iirc there was something on Glynn Lewis site how to check if susp was std height.
 
Benji55 said:
I read an earlier thread saying the suspension height is affected by springs and not shock absorbers. I have an earlier 90 that originally had a 2” lift kit. I changed the springs for genuine standard height springs but it still looks high. I appreciate wheels and tires can also affect height. Is there a way of measuring to see if the suspension is standard height and if so what should it be?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Standard to what though? Lots of springs fitted over the years and different body/engine configs will impact ride height.

Shocks generally don't impact ride height, although Gas shocks (ones that extend on their own) will have a slight upwards pressure and make a vehicle sit slightly higher than regular oil shocks (ones that don't expand on their own).

Maybe post a photo up?

Wheels and tyres won't exactly alter ride height in terms of distance from the axle to the chassis, but smaller wheels can give a bigger gap at the wheel arch.

Springs seats, lift packers and the like can also lift a vehicle.
 
300bhp/ton said:
Standard to what though? Lots of springs fitted over the years and different body/engine configs will impact ride height.

Shocks generally don't impact ride height, although Gas shocks (ones that extend on their own) will have a slight upwards pressure and make a vehicle sit slightly higher than regular oil shocks (ones that don't expand on their own).

Maybe post a photo up?

Wheels and tyres won't exactly alter ride height in terms of distance from the axle to the chassis, but smaller wheels can give a bigger gap at the wheel arch.

Springs seats, lift packers and the like can also lift a vehicle.
Click to expand...
Thanks for replying. The springs were original LR defender 90’s but from a newer model. I did match them up against the ones I removed and they were definitely shorter, maybe 40mm.
I fitted a new galvanised chassis last year so definitely no packers or extended spring seats fitted.
 
Also, springs tend to 'sink' over the years so when you put new ones on it looks higher. Last time I put new springs on mine it looked so much higher that I went and got the packaging out of the bin to see if I'd been sent 2" lift ones by mistake. No, sure enough they were 'standard'; just not as low as the ones I had before. The only thing about shock absorbers to bear in mind is to ensure they've got enough travel to accommodate the movement of the axle, so that on full compression it's the bump stop taking the load rather than the shock absorber itself.
 
Thank you that sounds very possible. The springs I fitted were almost new and genuine LR items. My friends defender I’m comparing mine with is an 04 model.
Thanks
 
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