willo

willo

Well-Known Member
Hi all,

I saw a request on another forum (the Belgian Freelander forum) about a guy who said his Freelander is 'diving' stronger than it used to do when hitting the brakes. His car has done 95.000 kms and he wonders whether the shocks/dampers and or the springs have had their best time. As far as I can remember I never have seen any thread about shocks/dampers except this one, which was opened just to clear up a matter of naming things, not about having used ones. Any idea how long these "things" can last on a car which never had towed any trailers or whatsoever?
Thanks in advance.
 
willo said:
Hi all,

I saw a request on another forum (the Belgian Freelander forum) about a guy who said his Freelander is 'diving' stronger than it used to do when hitting the brakes. His car has done 95.000 kms and he wonders whether the shocks/dampers and or the springs have had their best time. As far as I can remember I never have seen any thread about shocks/dampers except this one, which was opened just to clear up a matter of naming things, not about having used ones. Any idea how long these "things" can last on a car which never had towed any trailers or whatsoever?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...


Not sure willo, but if they have the equiv MOT then the shock test will show if the dampers/springs are not uniform. Come to think of it there are not many probs with shocks on FL.

Could be his suspension bushes
 
I am surprised if bushes wud make it "dive" - rattle/knock maybe - but not enuf play to make the car dip significantly.

easy test for shocks is try bouncing each corner in turn - if when yu stop it returns to static position within 1 cycle then usually ok. Its not scientific - but it gives a confidence test.
 
The Mad Hat Man said:
I am surprised if bushes wud make it "dive" - rattle/knock maybe - but not enuf play to make the car dip significantly.

easy test for shocks is try bouncing each corner in turn - if when yu stop it returns to static position within 1 cycle then usually ok. Its not scientific - but it gives a confidence test.
Click to expand...

That's what he already did and seems the shocks are still ok, so ????
Anyway, thanks all and have fun.
 
shocks and dampers is something that freelander dont seem to have a problem with,and as flippy says the push test is standard. . . .:)
 
Shocks and Dampers are constantly being battered and really should be better looked after than most of us do! The slightest failure in suspension affects the handling in every car it also puts extra stresses on parts that aren’t expecting it.

More than likely his shocks have had it, he might also find that he has valve failure in the dampers, the oil in the dampers has degraded or worst still leaked away completely! If we were talking about Elise’s (which we’re not) I would recommend replacing the full set with serviceable suspension. They allow you to replace springs, oil and valves which is a lot cheaper than replacing worn out suspension with a full new set a few times. I guess it depends on type of use and mileage! If anything other than factory is fitted then a full GEO will also be required.

In a nut shell he needs to get it looked at ASAP.

Cheers

Stewart
 
rubbish!

he has done the simple test - and the shocks appear to be working fine - the faults you describe would manifest themselves immediately.
 
fink youll find they are er bit more robust than most motors,and not designed for fast cornering. . . .:)
 
I'm not a mechanic and so am probably wrong but surely pushing down with half your own body weight on one corner at a time has no comparison to 1800kg's shifting weight under hard baking? Meaning in reality it’s not a good test?

Pop corn at the ready;)


Stew
 
its not the loading, Stew, it is the recovery characteristics - I believe if it recovers within one cycle it is doing its job, if it bounces up and down alot then it aint.

Stewpot said:
1800kg's shifting weight under hard baking?
Click to expand...
- remind me not to try any of your cooking ;):D
 
Ming,

Very valid point! I'm still in the 'lightweight, fibreglass and running over a beetle shatters your teeth' mind set.

Stew
 
But dampers control upward movement.

If his FL is pitching then it will be the springs. Which at 90000km (56k miles) I doubt it would be these.

I still go with the front rubber bushes causing suspension to fade. Its a known problem on fully independent suspension set ups.

Thats why you get that drifty, wallowy (hippos like to wallow esp in mud lol) feeling.

Solid alloy ones from kit car companies or polybush is the answer
 
Hi all,

Made a summary of what I've seen as answers and put it in a post on that Belgian site. I quoted things as maybe incorrect tire pressure, new tires with weaker sides, if play in the bushes etc. there should be some clonk (or is it clink?) sometimes etc... anyway, told him to have it tested if he thinks there is really a difference/problem with it rather than to keep driving it this ways. Thanks for all the help/responses and take care.
 
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