O

Ole Martin Huseby

Member
Hello i wondered if you guys Could give me some hints about my hippo. I bought my Td4 and is a great
Car but it with rock hard bushings and with hard riding . I desided to buy new bushings from polybush
They are the best but is there other with similar quality out there. I must also change the front and rear
Shocks but whish is the best absorbers to buy . The genuine is expensive but which type of shock absorbers would you recomend and is there other things i Can do to Get the best ride .i have looked at the sport type
But which Brand and where to buy. Been lloking at some of the StuffIt tatt Muddy Mod got and it looks
Smashing.
 
Is yours a sport with lowered suspension?
I wouldn't describe the standard Freelander suspension as being hard. It's actually very soft by comparison to more modern vehicles of equivalent type.

The factory shocks were made by Delphi. So you can save a considerable sum by buying Delphi shocks. However be aware that there are several different specifications of front shocks and a couple of rear specs too.

I prefer factory spec rubber bushes on a road car. I find polyurethane transfers to much road noise for my liking.
 
I'm a new owner to Freelanders, so don't know the exact answer, but in the past I have fitted 'Superpro' Polyurethane bushes to my Defender and they were incredible.

Back then (a few years ago), I remember a lot of people were saying how much they were superior to Polybushes.

I'm picking up my first Freelander tomorrow and this will be one of the first jobs I do. Money very well spent in my opinion.

http://www.paddockspares.com/kit5158k-superpro-polyurethane-bush-kit-freelander-1.html
 
Martin Radoczi said:
I'm a new owner to Freelanders, so don't know the exact answer, but in the past I have fitted 'Superpro' Polyurethane bushes to my Defender and they were incredible.

Back then (a few years ago), I remember a lot of people were saying how much they were superior to Polybushes.

I'm picking up my first Freelander tomorrow and this will be one of the first jobs I do. Money very well spent in my opinion.

http://www.paddockspares.com/kit5158k-superpro-polyurethane-bush-kit-freelander-1.html
Click to expand...

I'm not a fan of them in the Freelander myself. Manufacturers spend millions developing bushes for there vehicles. I seriously doubt that Polybush or Superpro or any other aftermarket bush manufacturer does.

What works on the primitive Defender suspension, won't necessarily work for the monocoque bodied Freelander, with its multi-link suspension system.
Been there done that. I much prefer the ride given by the factory rubber bushes.
 
Nodge68 said:
Manufacturers spend millions developing bushes for there vehicles. I seriously doubt that Polybush or Superpro or any other aftermarket bush manufacturer does.
Click to expand...

Actually, I disagree entirely. Bushes are ancient technology and when a new product is designed, that ancient technology is incorporated using existing parts, assuming a level of performance which was benchmarked from a previous, similar product.

Manufacturers in aftermarket products may do more research and invest more into bettering that old technology.

Of course, you are not wrong - if you don't see the benefit of different bushes, it's not a problem - as long as you're enjoying your Land Rover, who really cares what anyone else thinks!
However, I'm not wrong either. I absolutely could tell a difference on my Defender, and time will tell if I do regret doing the change on my new Freelander. Either way, it's going to take a lot more than a few bits of rubber from stopping my enjoyment of LR ownership! :cool:
 
Hard replacement bushes like poly bush pass more vibrations than the normal FL type. The difference when fitting poly to the rear diff or engine mounts is noticeable on a petrol FL1 as an eggsample. The same can be said for AT tyres. If the tread is too rough the suspension isn't set-up to take out the constant tread vibration (why I removed mine) on a FL1 like it is a D2 or bigger LR is. Yer has to remember poly bush were designed for easy replacement to take away the need for a press and the fun that goes with fitting conventional bushes, not the ride quality. I would never fit them. But it's down to owners choice. In the LR world there are owners who like to fit them to tratters as soon as they buy another one. Not the same in the FL world.
 
Martin Radoczi said:
I'm going to keep this in mind and potentially not rush into this. I'm very much aware that my soon to be acquired Freelander is not my old Defender.
Click to expand...

You won't need to sweep up rust from under your Freelander, each time you park it up ;)

Try poly bushes and see what you think. I did and hated them.
Not all bushes are the same as those basic things on a Defender. There are bushes in the Freelander's suspension that are specifically designed to "give" under compression. These help the suspension to absorb bumps in a controlled manor. Additionally a couple of the rear bushes are designed to give when cornering. This induces a small amount of tow in to improve response.
Trust me a bush in a modern vehicle isn't just a lump of rubber to help a joint articulate. Modern bushes are designed to accommodate a whole list of design considerations. There are even bushes filled with a sticky damping fluid called hydrobushes. The Freelander has a couple of those too, although not in the suspension.
Most importantly enjoy your Freelander and have many years of safe Freelandering ;)
 
Nodge68 said:
You won't need to sweep up rust from under your Freelander, each time you park it up ;)
Click to expand...

Cheeky git!

I'll have you know my Defender was impeccable. I only had ONE small patch that needed welding once. Apart from 3X Universal Joints going, the rear diff, two propshafts, a water pump, three wheel bearings and countless fluid leaks; it was in 'as new condition' at all times ;)

Seriously though, I'm like a kid at Christmas, now I'm getting a new Land Rover....but as it's literally going to be a weekend toy only, I can justify deffering to those with more knowledge, and not splurging on possibly pointless mods, and maybe skip on re-bushing the vehicle just for the sake of it.

You won't stop me fitting steel wheels and a stainless exhaust though.....I hope!?
 
Martin Radoczi said:
Cheeky git!

I'll have you know my Defender was impeccable. I only had ONE small patch that needed welding once. Apart from 3X Universal Joints going, the rear diff, two propshafts, a water pump, three wheel bearings and countless fluid leaks; it was in 'as new condition' at all times ;)
Click to expand...
So typical Defender then ;)
Martin Radoczi said:
Cheeky git!

You won't stop me fitting steel wheels and a stainless exhaust though.....I hope!?
Click to expand...
I'm with you on the stainless exhaust;)
20160905_172325.jpg

But imho steel wheels belong on a Defender!!
17" Trek Alloys like these
20160922_172550.jpg
are my preferred rims for every day use. But I suppose if it's just a weekend toy, then it's probably a shame to mess up some smart alloys.
Lots of pictures are a must you know;)
 
I fitted poly bushes to my rear suspension and TBH haven't noticed much difference. I needed to replace some of the bushes as I couldn't get the long bolt out of the lower suspension arms without using a lot of heat and violence.
I needed to get them out cause after fitting a lift kit the bushes were creaking badly. I found the polybushes cheap on ebay as new/old stock so thought I'd give them a try.
 
Nodge68 said:
Lots of pictures are a must you know;)
Click to expand...

Although I'm new to this forum, I'm not completely wet behind the ears, and I'm a member of a couple of other fora (?) I use regularly, and I used to use LR4X4 a LOT in the past...I absolutely know if you don't have pictures, then you're basically wasting everyone's time!

I'm eyeing up a Muddy Mods slimline stainless exhaust already, and apart from new tyres, I'm not overly adamant on the steel wheels. I used to love my modulars on the Defender, but might just settle for good tyres on my soon to be current alloys. They are 16 inch wheels, and I'm inclined to go for BFG tyres, but I see on a less 'extreme' vehicle people are veering towards road bias...so.....Geolandar? Pirelli Scorpion? Or....?
 
Martin Radoczi said:
Although I'm new to this forum, I'm not completely wet behind the ears, and I'm a member of a couple of other fora (?) I use regularly, and I used to use LR4X4 a LOT in the past...I absolutely know if you don't have pictures, then you're basically wasting everyone's time!

I'm eyeing up a Muddy Mods slimline stainless exhaust already, and apart from new tyres, I'm not overly adamant on the steel wheels. I used to love my modulars on the Defender, but might just settle for good tyres on my soon to be current alloys. They are 16 inch wheels, and I'm inclined to go for BFG tyres, but I see on a less 'extreme' vehicle people are veering towards road bias...so.....Geolandar? Pirelli Scorpion? Or....?
Click to expand...
Para 1 : I'm more than familiar with (Land Rover) forums.
Para 2 : What tyres do people recommend?

:confused::confused::confused::confused:

Sorry endless tyre debates are a pet hate of mine!

However, I admire your enthusiasm and I look forward to reading about your experiences. :)

Oh, and take any derogatory comments about your Defender with a pinch of salt - the same people who make them are just as likely to have hankerings for petrol powered Freelanders and would therefore be in a much more unreliable boat! ...but don't tell anyone outside the Freelander forum I said that!

I'm not sure if you fall into a category where you can dodge all the flack because you can choose which side of the Tratter/Gaylander fence you wish to be on, or whether you take 100% of it cos your in both camps :)
 
Rimini-Scott said:
If you don't like a hard ride do not fit polybushes to a Sport, thankfully I don't mind a hard ride ;)
Click to expand...
Thank you guys this was interesting to hear from the experts. Must just say that my Hippo is not a sport so i dont need shocks for this. I am not an expert but wath do you think about the bushings from Britpart . Britpart is the same as Crap and also everything they make is of bad standard after wath i see on the forum or is it?
If it is waisted to buy these from Polybush or Powerflex and instead buy the genuine ones i dont know ,but i am temted to try so then i will see.
 
Martin Radoczi said:
Although I'm new to this forum, I'm not completely wet behind the ears, and I'm a member of a couple of other fora (?) I use regularly, and I used to use LR4X4 a LOT in the past...I absolutely know if you don't have pictures, then you're basically wasting everyone's time!

I'm eyeing up a Muddy Mods slimline stainless exhaust already, and apart from new tyres, I'm not overly adamant on the steel wheels. I used to love my modulars on the Defender, but might just settle for good tyres on my soon to be current alloys. They are 16 inch wheels, and I'm inclined to go for BFG tyres, but I see on a less 'extreme' vehicle people are veering towards road bias...so.....Geolandar? Pirelli Scorpion? Or....?
Click to expand...

Muddy Mods exhaust with do what you need;)
Most FL1 owners prefer a less is more approach to tyres on the Freelander.
Generally old and crude tyres don't work well with the suspension and transfer lots of noise through to the body. So BFG ATko and General Grabber ATs are often avoided.
These are the preferred tyres for 16" rims.
Yokohama Geolander AT-S 102 are a good tyre and provide the FL1 with grip on all surfaces including wet tarmac.
Michelin Latitude Cross are another go anywhere, do anything tyre.
Pirelli Scorpion STR are another good alternative, but have slightly limited off road abilities completed to the other two above.

The most important thing is that all four tyres are identical. It's best to get the spare changed to a matched tyre as well.
Do lots of reading about the VCU so you know how to look after it and know how to test it. :)
 
Last edited:
Oh, I've been reading up on the VCU!

I think I need to pick this thing up in a couple of hours and not rush into buying stuff until I've lived with it for awhile - I need to remember it's not my old Defender.

I'm not one to cut corners, and I absolutely will get all five of the tyres I choose.
I'm almost scared of asking this next one, seeing how often tyre questions seem to crop up....

If I'm sticking with 16 inch wheels, what is optimal size tyre to go with? Can I get something beefy, with a taller side wall, that is wide?
 
Last edited:
Your VCU approach wise. It's a critical component to the 4X4 system and has some particular tyre maintenance requirements to keep it happy.

Now tyre size is an interesting one. The Freelander is very different to a Defender in that respect.
You are limited in width to around 235 and limited to approximately 29" total diameter.
Both of those are for the standard rims without spacers.
Warren of Muddy Mods has fitted larger sizes with spacers to good effect. So if you are looking for a more radical setup, then follow his approach. ;)
I run Maxxis Bravo AT in 225/60/17 myself without any issues at all. I prefer the quicker steering response of the stiffer 60% side walls.
Do lots of reading and ask questions. Those with knowledge will always give you the answer.;)
 
Don't use poly bushes for the engine steady links. They are stiffer than rubber ones and will transfer a lot of vibration to the cabin. Did mine and it's not nice. Would use them on suspention and anywhere else though.
 
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