 | Home > Maintenance & Modifications > Best way to soften suspension on a 90 |
 
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| GREENI Member Since: 22 Aug 2010 Location: staffs Posts: 10367  
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We have the Alive springs on both 90's, it transformed the ride from standard. Less crashy and certainly feels safer higher up the speed limit.
A friend fitted the springs too, loved it and then ordered the dampers, which then he claims ruined the ride. So the opinion is, Alive springs plus oe standard dampers. |
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22nd Dec 2016 10:38pm |
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| Disco_Mikey Member Since: 16 Nov 2014 Location: Dundee Posts: 531  
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Alive comfort springs and Bilstein B6 shocks
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22nd Dec 2016 10:51pm |
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| custom90 Member Since: 21 Jan 2010 Location: South West, England. Posts: 19650
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Spring isolators, however, they will give you back some lift about 3/4" if fitted top and bottom.
You can fit them top and bottom all around on a 90. It's the castellated type, not the wrap around. Diesel$ Live$ Matter. ⛽️🛢️👨🔧🧰⚙️ RED, WHITE & BOOST! 🇬🇧 |
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23rd Dec 2016 12:01am |
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| Wild Card 90 Member Since: 03 Dec 2014 Location: Gerlingen Posts: 1060  
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What tyres do you have? Tyres make a massive difference. My 90 is hard as hell on the four year old 255 MTs I run in the summer, and yet smooth and quiet on the winter tyres.
Koni HTRs and 2" lift springs. 1998 Tdi 90 SW, 2008 Td4 90 SW, 2012 2.2 90 SW, 2" raised Trailmaster/Terrafirma Heavy Track Raids, 255 MTs, Recaro CSs, anorak, wellingtons |
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23rd Dec 2016 12:45am |
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| jr1104 Member Since: 05 May 2016 Location: England Posts: 78 
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Thanks for the feedback on the Alive springs, seems like they're worth a try. Should I be changing the Koni dampers though, or is it OK to keep using them? Guess I could try springs first, then dampers if it's still not improved.
The tyres are BFG A/T (255/65/r16), I haven't heard of another option that would be better/comfier than that? Just had a read around on spring isolators, looks like a good mod to do whilst changing the other parts! Is replacing springs a job that can be done with 1 person and a parking space to work, or is it going to take more than that? |
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23rd Dec 2016 7:45am |
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| Orangesofa Member Since: 10 Oct 2014 Location: Somerset Posts: 214 
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Cheaper option could be swapping with standard springs from a different LR model.
http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic43117.html Phil |
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23rd Dec 2016 8:16am |
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| Wild Card 90 Member Since: 03 Dec 2014 Location: Gerlingen Posts: 1060
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A/Ts are quieter and softer than M/Ts, but off road tyres all harden up with time and heavy use. It makes quite a difference to how comfortable a Landy, and particularly a 90, feels on the road. May not be the main source, in your cas, but worth keeping in mind, when comparing with other Defenders. 1998 Tdi 90 SW,
2008 Td4 90 SW, 2012 2.2 90 SW, 2" raised Trailmaster/Terrafirma Heavy Track Raids, 255 MTs, Recaro CSs, anorak, wellingtons |
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23rd Dec 2016 9:09am |
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| Capt_Steve Member Since: 10 Jan 2012 Location: Ross on Wye Posts: 39 
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Don't know what tyre pressures you are using, but after reading on here, I went from 45 to 35 on the rear. Made a big difference.
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23rd Dec 2016 9:21am |
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| jr1104 Member Since: 05 May 2016 Location: England Posts: 78
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I'm already using 30psi front and rear on the tyres, to see if it softens it a bit. And I had looked at using some front OEM springs on the rear, but for the slight increase in price I figured I might as well go with specific comfort oriented ones.
Going out to work on the car this afternoon, so will see if I can find any branding/details on the springs it already has. This might help determine what the best solution would be. Thanks for everyone's help so far! |
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23rd Dec 2016 2:48pm |
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| Alive Tuning Member Since: 01 Mar 2010 Location: Louth Posts: 609 
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We have vehicles around the country running our comfort kit. Drop me a PM with your location and i will see if i can arrange a test drive local to you
Regards Alex Divers |
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23rd Dec 2016 3:18pm |
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| custom90 Member Since: 21 Jan 2010 Location: South West, England. Posts: 19650
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Certainly can be, quite time consuming but not over difficult. Main priority is safety and jacking, never get under etc. Keep as clear as you can whilst doing the job. Diesel$ Live$ Matter. ⛽️🛢️👨🔧🧰⚙️ RED, WHITE & BOOST! 🇬🇧 |
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23rd Dec 2016 4:22pm |
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| Orangesofa Member Since: 10 Oct 2014 Location: Somerset Posts: 214
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^^^ agree. I managed it single handed with spring clamps and spent the most time faffing with the angle of the bolts on the clamps such that I could wind them up and down without fouling. If I did it again I would certainly be quicker having learnt the hard way. Phil
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23rd Dec 2016 8:38pm |
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| custom90 Member Since: 21 Jan 2010 Location: South West, England. Posts: 19650
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Never needed spring compressors on mine.
In my case, just a hi lift jack and axle stands. 250kg straps can bring the axle up with the chassis enough to put axle stand under without even taking the wheel off. Then from there you can remove the wheel and sort the springs. If ever the hi lift slippe door what ever positioned very close the axle stand is a failsafe. Pics in my gallery somewhere, save a fortune in labour. As I said just be safe and use common sense at all times. Diesel$ Live$ Matter. ⛽️🛢️👨🔧🧰⚙️ RED, WHITE & BOOST! 🇬🇧Last edited by custom90 on 26th Dec 2016 3:39am. Edited 1 time in total |
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23rd Dec 2016 8:51pm |
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| Procta Member Since: 04 Dec 2016 Location: Sunderland Posts: 4950
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is this setup with the standard shocks and live springs on ok for towing? also what's like with anti roll bars on?
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26th Dec 2016 2:07am |
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