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| JOW240725 Member Since: 04 May 2015 Location: Suffolk Posts: 7873   
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Well, Old Red has failed her MOT today
 Nothing too major, bushes, brake hose, wipers, bulbs  , A-frame boot (?), No. 1 ball joint (?) but also needs new rear shocks and steering damper.
Is it worth upgrading to Bilstein B6 on a 28yo old girl like this or just stick with more basic/economic shocks? Any other good recommendations or suppliers? Super Gaz? TIA  
 Click image to enlarge James MY2012 110 2.2TDCi XS SW Orkney Grey - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic43410.html MY1990 110 200TDi SW beautifully faded Portofino Red - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post743641.html#743641 MY1984 90 V8 Slate Grey - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post744557.html#744557 Instagram @suffolk_rovers |
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24th Aug 2018 3:09pm |
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| shropshiredefender Member Since: 05 Jun 2017 Location: Shropshire Posts: 832  
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I think that it depends on how you use your 110.
My 1996 110 van was used as my everyday driver and was mostly loaded to capacity and/or towing. I had OME shocks and springs fitted and they did around 150k miles, it drove well and even though I had the anti- roll bars removed and had a heavy winch the handling was much improved on standard. My Puma is fitted with OME shocks and handles much better than it did on standard suspension, again daily driver but no towing or winch, 3000k+ continental trips at least twice a year + some unsurfaced roads. OME represent good value for me, but if your useage is less arduous then OEM might be better value for you. Your choice of course |
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24th Aug 2018 3:40pm |
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| gilarion Member Since: 05 Dec 2013 Location: Wales Posts: 5084  
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Is it worth upgrading to Bilstein B6. Yes, it is, the difference you will experience is noticeable.
For those who like Welsh Mountains and narrow boats have a look at my videos and photos at..
http://www.youtube.com/user/conwy1 |
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24th Aug 2018 5:33pm |
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| Silver Back Member Since: 11 Jun 2015 Location: Lincolnshire Posts: 405 
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+1 for the B6's.
Got mine from Rimmer Brothers. Always get great service there, plus they're only across town for me. |
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24th Aug 2018 5:36pm |
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| custom90 Member Since: 21 Jan 2010 Location: South West, England. Posts: 19533
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Are the B6's really that good? As in a real noticble difference worth the money. Diesels Lives Matter. ⛽️🛢️👨🔧🧰⚙️
Red, White & Boost! 🇬🇧 |
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24th Aug 2018 5:53pm |
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| Swine&Small Member Since: 20 Mar 2017 Location: Norfolk Posts: 1223
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+2 for B6's
1983 Series 3 Pick up in Marine Blue
1967 Morris Traveller 1966 Morris Convertible 2012 VW T5 Camper Quod Abundat Non Obstat. |
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24th Aug 2018 6:30pm |
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| JOW240725 Member Since: 04 May 2015 Location: Suffolk Posts: 7873
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Thanks all. I had fully planned the B6 route with my Puma, but just wondered if they would be wasted on a defender with nearly 200k on it? It only a weekend local(ish) driver but I do love it and don't want to skimp.
James
MY2012 110 2.2TDCi XS SW Orkney Grey - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic43410.html MY1990 110 200TDi SW beautifully faded Portofino Red - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post743641.html#743641 MY1984 90 V8 Slate Grey - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post744557.html#744557 Instagram @suffolk_rovers |
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24th Aug 2018 6:55pm |
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| JOW240725 Member Since: 04 May 2015 Location: Suffolk Posts: 7873
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What about Monroe gas shocks? Where do people buy replacement parts? Is it the like of Bearmach, Paddock, Craddock? James
MY2012 110 2.2TDCi XS SW Orkney Grey - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic43410.html MY1990 110 200TDi SW beautifully faded Portofino Red - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post743641.html#743641 MY1984 90 V8 Slate Grey - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post744557.html#744557 Instagram @suffolk_rovers |
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27th Aug 2018 10:17pm |
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| Kit Member Since: 12 Feb 2016 Location: Shropshire Posts: 1110 
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I use Paddock, they tend to be the best priced but their website isn't the easiest to use due to the search function being quite poor unless you have the part number 1993 200 Tdi 90 CSW
1956 Series 1 Hard-top 1958 Series 1 Soft-top |
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27th Aug 2018 10:30pm |
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| Gilloverland Member Since: 12 Nov 2017 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 61
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I've had the Bearmach green gas shocks fitted for the last few months and my 110 rides really well, better than it did before with the yellow gaz shocks and they come with a 3 year guarantee:
https://bearmach.com/news/new-shock-absorbers/ |
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28th Aug 2018 7:12am |
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| Green Machine Member Since: 19 Nov 2010 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 1226 
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I would just stick with standard Armstrong (OEM) shocks. Upgrading to Koni / Bilstein / Old Man Emu really isn't worth the outlay unless you are regularly running the vehicle fully loaded on rough terrain. I fitted a full set of adjustable Koni shocks to my 90 a few years ago and there is no noticeable difference to ride quality at all. If anything, they made the ride firmer (even on their softest setting). I then fitted a set of Alive comfort springs, which made a massive difference to the ride (with the Koni shocks still fitted).
I am now considering reverting back to OEM (Armstrong) shocks with the Alive comfort springs because I think I will get even better ride quality with that combination. Again, I would just stick with OEM for the steering damper too. I changed mine for an OEM Armstrong one last year as the old one was worn and I was getting a bit of kick through the wheel. The Armstrong part was £15 and it solved the problem completely. I'm running 265 width tyres. Obviously this is totally dependent on what you're using the vehicle for (as others have said). Mine is almost always completely unladen and running on tarmac so for me it just isn't worth upgrading shocks as they're never operating at anywhere near their limit. And in fact the standard OEM kit is better suited to my vehicle and use than any of the upgrade options. I have succumbed to the temptation of buying upgraded components in the past because you think that the vehicle will be transformed by fitting expensive parts, but the reality is that the standard OEM parts were designed to do the job and in most cases they do it very well. I've certainly now learnt my lesson and will be more inclined to stick with OEM than automatically going down the upgrade route. 2005 Td5 | 90 Station Wagon | Tonga Green |
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28th Aug 2018 12:41pm |
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| JOW240725 Member Since: 04 May 2015 Location: Suffolk Posts: 7873
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Thank you for the replies. I think you're right, it's just not worth upgrading the old girl too much. I quite enjoy the wallow old fashioned drive! The Puma on the otherhand...
I didn't know the OEM were Armstrong so that's useful info. Are the OEM gas shocks? I know my father had his old RRC upgraded to gas shocks and it made a huge difference. James MY2012 110 2.2TDCi XS SW Orkney Grey - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic43410.html MY1990 110 200TDi SW beautifully faded Portofino Red - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post743641.html#743641 MY1984 90 V8 Slate Grey - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post744557.html#744557 Instagram @suffolk_rovers |
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28th Aug 2018 3:24pm |
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| Bluest Member Since: 23 Apr 2016 Location: Lancashire Posts: 3996 
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I didn't know Armstrong still existed. There doesn't seem to be any trace of them as a manufacturer on the 'net other than a hydraulic equipment company that don't seem to make shocks. be interested to know who owns that brand and if they ares till making shock absorbers themselves.
I can see that there are Armstrong branded shocks for sale, but is this just a brading exercise like you get Lucas stuff or old stock. 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS |
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28th Aug 2018 3:41pm |
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| Bluest Member Since: 23 Apr 2016 Location: Lancashire Posts: 3996
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Because I have an unhealthy interest in obsolete British engineering concerns, I've done a bit of searching. Armstrong's shock absorber business was bought Tenneco in the late 80s. Tenneco is the parent company of Monroe shock absorbers, but I can't confirm whether or not the shocks still sold as Armstrong are made by Monroe, or if the Armstrong brand name has gone elsewhere. I have heard that Monroe are the people that make OME's shocks, so maybe in a round about way, Defender came with OME shocks as standard! 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
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28th Aug 2018 3:56pm |
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