I'm a complete novice and did it reasonably easily. No need to compress front or rear springs... I didnt need to and that was with a set of 2 inch lift springs, although I did need a crow bar to help.
I put on a set of Terrafirma light load springs / shocks ... before the ride was terrible and it skipped about on the rear a lot... they did help and stopped the rear end from jumping around on my Defender 90 200tdi... although didnt improve the ride as much as I had hoped. However there was very little on my truck (i.e. no roof rack, rear seats, spare wheel etc) so possibly it needs a bit more weight to help.
I put on a set of Terrafirma light load springs / shocks ... before the ride was terrible and it skipped about on the rear a lot... they did help and stopped the rear end from jumping around on my Defender 90 200tdi... although didnt improve the ride as much as I had hoped. However there was very little on my truck (i.e. no roof rack, rear seats, spare wheel etc) so possibly it needs a bit more weight to help.
Also handy to have a replacement set of turret rings!
Good guide for changing the springs and shocks that I used here:
Defender front and rear suspension refresh
Good guide for changing the springs and shocks that I used here:
Defender front and rear suspension refresh
Boris113
Well-Known Member
Definitely get a set of turret rings if yours look dubious.
Wire brush all nuts and bolts a few days prior to doing the change, then cover them in penetrating fluid a few times.
On reassembly use plenty of copper grease too
muckmuck
Active Member
Got pro comp gas shocks and bearmach heavy duty standard height springs,fitted my self did the rears first there easier to do ,then a few weekends later tackled the front,got heavy duty new turret rings and also fitted tubulat turret towers,made the process much easier because saved the grief of trying to seperate all the old towers and rings and shocks...once fitted although its a standard set up its probably sat 2" higher than with the old shocks and springs......
Grimmer
THE Winner
For me this job was easy in theory and a bugger in practice.
Four of the eight turret studs sheared off (so do get replacements before you start as said above).
I had to angle grind off the top front shock nuts and access to the bottom one is awkward esp when trying to grip the body of the shock with a chain wrench. Make sure you get out the rubber bush inside the top of the turret before refitting the new one. It can be hard to see.
Rear is easier but I used compressors on both which was no problem. I was using the road jack only and not too confident of standing on the axle. I did only needed a small amount of compression to release the springs though.
If I had a newer truck that came apart easier it would have helped.
Not complicated tho.
Four of the eight turret studs sheared off (so do get replacements before you start as said above).
I had to angle grind off the top front shock nuts and access to the bottom one is awkward esp when trying to grip the body of the shock with a chain wrench. Make sure you get out the rubber bush inside the top of the turret before refitting the new one. It can be hard to see.
Rear is easier but I used compressors on both which was no problem. I was using the road jack only and not too confident of standing on the axle. I did only needed a small amount of compression to release the springs though.
If I had a newer truck that came apart easier it would have helped.
Not complicated tho.
200tdi ayre
Well-Known Member
Standard springs, pro comp or terraform a dampers will give an improvement. Nothing wrong With standard shocks though
That's handy. Shows you can get the springs out without undoing the anti roll bars and radius arms, which should speed the job up a little. I shall be looking to replace the ageing Britpart dampers on mine with something a little more sophisticated soon (after next payday) so I'll post some pictures too.
Davidleeowen
Member
i got a set of Britpart shocks and 2" lift springs for my 110 county
The suspension is really good, but i wouldnt recommend a 2" lift
i run 275,70,16 tyres and in hindsight i didnt really need the lift
it looks like a monster truck now with 'air' visable between the axles and tub, it looks daft
im going to be looking at going back to a standard height kit asap !!!
the job is straightforward, you wont have any problems, you'll just need a big jack !
cheers
dave
The suspension is really good, but i wouldnt recommend a 2" lift
i run 275,70,16 tyres and in hindsight i didnt really need the lift
it looks like a monster truck now with 'air' visable between the axles and tub, it looks daft
im going to be looking at going back to a standard height kit asap !!!
the job is straightforward, you wont have any problems, you'll just need a big jack !
cheers
dave
skanner30
Member
Lol aye i noticed that about standard jacks!!
Fully up they just about touch the axle!! Useless.
Meant to ask that actually lol, whats the best jack for the job?
I did struggle abit eith me 2 bottle jacks doin the exhaust trying to get me gut in and out from underneath
cheers
steve k
Fully up they just about touch the axle!! Useless.
Meant to ask that actually lol, whats the best jack for the job?
I did struggle abit eith me 2 bottle jacks doin the exhaust trying to get me gut in and out from underneath
cheers
steve k
Think I need to do this my self, was under the landy this morning, and lets just say my shocks are shocking on the rear.
20130908_110933 by Abhorsen The Final Death, on Flickr
20130908_110933 by Abhorsen The Final Death, on Flickr
jamesmartin
Well-Known Member
think you need a bit more work than just new shockers
hehe, i dont think its ever had any part of it replaced before i got it apart from he rear cross member. Its going to be a new chassis job at some point...
What doe you mean bolts have heads...
