 | Home > My Defender > Weekend Job: Lowering and Softening my Defender Suspension |
 
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| MartinK Member Since: 02 Mar 2011 Location: Silverdale (Lancashire/Cumbria Border) Posts: 2664   
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So - following this thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic47998.html
Bought some -2" , 20% softer tri-rate springs from here: http://www.coilsprings.co.uk/ I also purchased a Galvanised/Stainless Spring Seat kit from YRM: http://www.yrm-metal-solutions.co.uk/epage...oducts/225 Arrived today:  Click image to enlarge Nice little job for the weekend 
Write-up to follow  Defender "Puma" 2.4 110 County Utility (possibly the last of the 2.4's) |
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7th Sep 2016 11:18am |
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| MartinK Member Since: 02 Mar 2011 Location: Silverdale (Lancashire/Cumbria Border) Posts: 2664
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Also wondering if I will need dislocation cones...
 Defender "Puma" 2.4 110 County Utility (possibly the last of the 2.4's) |
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7th Sep 2016 11:20am |
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| MartinK Member Since: 02 Mar 2011 Location: Silverdale (Lancashire/Cumbria Border) Posts: 2664
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True - green laning is as far as I get.. that's about it... Articulation may be reduced (possibly), but it won't effect the off-road stuff I do...
Will probably do the next off-road event at Aviemore...Maybe even the off-road course at the LRO show...? Just thinking that the springs will not be under load at the extent of the travel, and could dislocate??? Defender "Puma" 2.4 110 County Utility (possibly the last of the 2.4's) |
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7th Sep 2016 1:04pm |
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| Pinky Member Since: 09 Jun 2016 Location: England Posts: 205  
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I see what you're saying but I think other things may foul before you dislocate. However, if you have it all apart, for the sake of a few quid you might as well put some in!
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7th Sep 2016 4:27pm |
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| custom90 Member Since: 21 Jan 2010 Location: South West, England. Posts: 19531
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The bump stops should prevent dislocation combined with shocks & ARB if fitted.
I'd consider doing either F or R each day as the whole lot in one go is quite a job. You might also want to consider Spring isolators whilst you at it, they'll give you a bit more lift back but soften and smooth everything. On a 90 you can do top and bottom placement, or one sided or what yiu like. |
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7th Sep 2016 5:18pm |
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| MartinK Member Since: 02 Mar 2011 Location: Silverdale (Lancashire/Cumbria Border) Posts: 2664
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OK - job done...and I am delighted
So...first thing to say - I don't like the jacked-up-back-end look... also makes the back too hard (bouncy/jumpy) when lightly laden, and too high for my trailer: Click image to enlarge ^^ "Before" I changed the springs So I put the spirit level on... when I hold the spirit level along the gutter you can see the slope: Click image to enlarge or on the side steps: Click image to enlarge Old spring (L) and new spring (R): Click image to enlarge Thanks to Custom90Steve - I now have isolators She now sits level: Click image to enlarge I'm delighted. The ride is transformed. The 20% softer spring is amazing. Combined with the KONI shocks and Isolators (top & bottom) it's a terrific improvement. Thanks Custom90Steve for the info on Isolators (£4.05 each "Isolator Rear Spring" Part # ANR3060 ) Thanks to LiftedDisco for the recommendation for the coilsprings company - great guys, great product Defender "Puma" 2.4 110 County Utility (possibly the last of the 2.4's) |
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10th Sep 2016 7:43pm |
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| Morepower Member Since: 08 Jan 2013 Location: Fife, Scotland Posts: 630 
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Hi Martin, You may also notice that the steering will center a little easier now..
Cheers Tim It doesn't matter how bad it is, It can always get worse... 2013 Bowler 110 (Sold) 2016 Bowler 90 Rally Spec (Sold) |
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10th Sep 2016 8:51pm |
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| Stacey007 Member Since: 25 Sep 2015 Location: Cheshire Posts: 3693
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If anything that last picture it looks slightly lower at the back?
What will it be like if you put a heavy load on the back such as a caravan? would it drop more than std? Is it generally a softer ride? Other than the springs and mounts have you any other mods, Thanks |
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10th Sep 2016 9:11pm |
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| bm52 Member Since: 04 Apr 2010 Location: Kent Posts: 2189 
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did you change all 4 springs.
can you let me have the spring rates, I might change mine as well. Be interesting to hear the cost as well. Thanks |
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10th Sep 2016 9:35pm |
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| custom90 Member Since: 21 Jan 2010 Location: South West, England. Posts: 19531
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10th Sep 2016 9:38pm |
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| MartinK Member Since: 02 Mar 2011 Location: Silverdale (Lancashire/Cumbria Border) Posts: 2664
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Much softer ride. Just compliant now instead of just choppy and hopping and kicking over bumps. More like a Disco2. Not sure the load would make a difference? I always thought the nose weight of the trailer was supposed to be fairly minimal (~75kg or so) anyway? As in the trailer should be fairly balanced? The rear is now very slightly lower than the back... but very close to level - may do the fronts (below) now to match
Just the rears so far...after the success I may order a pair of fronts. Maybe 30mm lower, and add the isolators as well - thus making the front just 20mm lower... As for the spring rates... the standard CSW springs are supposedly “triple rate” (269/315/406 lb/in) - I emailed coilsprings this spec, and asked for 20% softer and 5cm lower. Maybe Neil Satur (the chap I communicated with at coilsprings) has my order on file and can make more the same... I am guessing by the winding of the coils that they are variable rate, so should be fine when laden... Costs? £130+VAT (£156) for the springs £4 ea for the Isloators (I used 4 on the back... upper and lower the YRM galv kit would be a personal choice unless yours are badly rusted I guess... Defender "Puma" 2.4 110 County Utility (possibly the last of the 2.4's) |
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10th Sep 2016 9:56pm |
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| bm52 Member Since: 04 Apr 2010 Location: Kent Posts: 2189
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Very interesting.
Once you have spent some time in them I would be interested to hear if you need an uprated rear ARB. Thank you I am watching las night of the proms and i compltely missed the last piece as i was reading your posts again. Always next year.... |
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10th Sep 2016 10:15pm |
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| MartinK Member Since: 02 Mar 2011 Location: Silverdale (Lancashire/Cumbria Border) Posts: 2664
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Strangely enough... Just bought a 2nd hand "Alive" one http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic49029.html Not collected yet. TBH handling right now seems great - I don't really notice any extra body roll... But with chunky AT tyres I don't really go round corners fast anyway  
Last night on a dry road I pitched-in to a tight corner at a good speed and the body roll was very similar to what it was before. I'll go ahead with the Alive ARB, and try it when I get chance to fit it.,.but not expecting much difference Cheers Defender "Puma" 2.4 110 County Utility (possibly the last of the 2.4's) |
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11th Sep 2016 8:58am |
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| MartinK Member Since: 02 Mar 2011 Location: Silverdale (Lancashire/Cumbria Border) Posts: 2664
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BTW on the subject of dislocation cones - I didn't bother, and having fitted the new springs, I would be astounded if you did need a dislocation cone. The ARB seems to keep them planted... Defender "Puma" 2.4 110 County Utility (possibly the last of the 2.4's)
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11th Sep 2016 9:01am |
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