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Gnasher141

Member Since: 19 Feb 2015
Location: Hemel Hempstead
Posts: 28

1986 Defender 90 V8 Petrol HT Sumatra Black

Stiff suspension advice required

Click image to enlarge
On my 90 V8 with LPG - I think it has a 2" lift on heavy duty springs, or it could just be heavy duty springs giving it a raised look, I don't know - as it was in this form when I bought it.

The ride is very very hard and I would like it to be a wee bit softer to save my back. I think the shocks are at their limit as the wheels do not extend when jacking up.

Any advice on what rate Spring I would need would be very appreciated.

See photo as to what's fitted and how it sits.

Thanks

8th Sep 2016 6:48pm

MartinK

Member Since: 02 Mar 2011
Location: Silverdale (Lancashire/Cumbria Border)
Posts: 2664

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Orkney Grey

Gnasher

The standard spring rates are here (see page 2 of the thread):

http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic13312.html

However these may be for Puma...

This is another useful link I found:
http://bilashakaflowers.com/LandroverSprings.htm

I've just bought a few things myself - see: http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic49065.html

Hope that helps you... Defender "Puma" 2.4 110 County Utility (possibly the last of the 2.4's)

9th Sep 2016 8:03am

Gnasher141

Member Since: 19 Feb 2015
Location: Hemel Hempstead
Posts: 28

Martin

Thank for the reply and links

That's really confused me, I think I may just try standard medium duty springs all round??

9th Sep 2016 4:03pm

Sadi

Member Since: 23 Jul 2015
Location: Windhoek
Posts: 334

2016 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 Heritage Edition SW Grasmere Green

Suspension..

My vehicle still being under warranty I do not want to fiddle with the OEM suspension.

I did find that dropping the wheel pressures to 1.8 Bar all 4 had a beneficial effect - especially unloaded.

The recommended tyre pressures are only a guideline I think - as tyres do differ in their own inherent sidewall and carcass "hardness/softness".

Found the following link very informative:

https://www.expeditionexchange.com/ome/indexsprings.php

9th Sep 2016 8:09pm

Gnasher141

Member Since: 19 Feb 2015
Location: Hemel Hempstead
Posts: 28

Hi Sadi

Thank for reply and link

Reading though the link it's saying if I have a winch bumper and winch I need to get heavy duty rated springs at the front, and medium duty on the rears as it has no load except my 45kg dog.

Does this sound right? Surely 2 fat blokes don't weigh more than winch and number.

Mmmmmm

9th Sep 2016 8:29pm

Lou Sparts

Member Since: 15 Apr 2012
Location: Kent
Posts: 1501

2005 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Zambezi Silver

You need four Defender 90 rear springs as h/d fronts are the same as standard 90 rears. Your winch and bumper doesn't weigh more than 2 fat blokes but does sit ahead of the front axle ! 2005 Td5 90 XS

Steve

9th Sep 2016 8:47pm

Gnasher141

Member Since: 19 Feb 2015
Location: Hemel Hempstead
Posts: 28

If I fit four heavy duty springs won't that make car sit ar$e up? As no load in rear

9th Sep 2016 8:53pm

Lou Sparts

Member Since: 15 Apr 2012
Location: Kent
Posts: 1501

No the standard rear springs as fitted as original equipment are the same rate as the optional h/d fronts. I fitted standard rears to the front of my 300 Tdi when I fitted the winch and it sat nice and level.
There is on here somewhere a list of colour codes for all the different springs used on Defenders and their applications. 2005 Td5 90 XS

Steve

9th Sep 2016 9:00pm

Gnasher141

Member Since: 19 Feb 2015
Location: Hemel Hempstead
Posts: 28

So 2 sets of these, or similar?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LAND-ROVER-DEFEN...SwMgdX0DFc

9th Sep 2016 9:19pm

Lou Sparts

Member Since: 15 Apr 2012
Location: Kent
Posts: 1501

Click image to enlarge

Land Rover used to specify different Spring rates for o/s and n/s but I think they have dropped that now as I have just replaced my rears with off takes from a forum members late 90 and they both had the same colour code. 2005 Td5 90 XS

Steve

9th Sep 2016 9:29pm

Gnasher141

Member Since: 19 Feb 2015
Location: Hemel Hempstead
Posts: 28

So 2 of them ones?

And 2 of these?

Click image to enlarge

9th Sep 2016 9:43pm

Lou Sparts

Member Since: 15 Apr 2012
Location: Kent
Posts: 1501

That would do the job 👍 Maybe buy some turret retaining rings for the front as the studs have a habit of shearing when you're undoing them (may be ok if you're springs have not been fitted long ago). If buying handed Springs make sure you get them on the correct side when fitting. 2005 Td5 90 XS

Steve

9th Sep 2016 9:57pm

Bps

Member Since: 14 Feb 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 786

Do you want to keep it lifted or go back to standard?

D44 and gwyn Lewis are very knowledgable about springs and Spring rates and are worth a call. I rate and use old man emu stuff

I'd try just swopping the rears to start with though. I had heavy duty on my old 90 on the rear and when I soft topped it it was very hard on the rear and I put some medium duty springs, can't remember the rates off hand and it improved the ride no end

9th Sep 2016 10:01pm

Gnasher141

Member Since: 19 Feb 2015
Location: Hemel Hempstead
Posts: 28

Thanks for advice

I'm going to Peterborough show next weekend, so hopefully there will be some retailers up there.

At least I have a bit more knowledge

Thanks

9th Sep 2016 10:10pm

Gnasher141

Member Since: 19 Feb 2015
Location: Hemel Hempstead
Posts: 28

Does anyone know the identifying colours for the different rate of Spring for Pro Comp?

So I can identify what is fitted to mine.

Thanks

10th Sep 2016 6:57pm

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