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dhopable



Member Since: 31 Dec 2012
Location: Peterborough
Posts: 47

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Tonga Green
Rear end sitting low?
Hi -

I noticed the other week that my Puma 90 looked like it was sitting a little low at the back.

Ive mentioned it to a couple of people and they agree but dont know what it could be. Shocked

It drives fine, no knocks or anything but on the way home tonight i noticed that my dip beam headlights are quite high, which i dont remember them being. It looks like its got an invisible trailer behind it.

Could anyone tell me why it is and what i need to check/do to get it back level again?!? Embarassed

I am abit worried that it is the springs or dampers or something expensive Big Cry but i cant figure out how both sides would give out at the same time?

Please help me!! Shocked


Click image to enlarge



Click image to enlarge


Cheers
Doug
Post #200078 8th Jan 2013 9:09pm
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bob neville



Member Since: 30 Apr 2009
Location: Marbella
Posts: 3247

Spain 2001 Defender 90 Td5 SW Epsom Green
Can't give you an answer I'm afraid Doug but maybe put your mind at rest ?

My TD5 90 has a similar stance. It has a heavy winch and bumper on the front. New shocks (Koni's) but still on it's 11 year old original springs.

A lot of people think it has had a lift but it is standard.

If you take the spare wheel off the back door does it level out ?

Bob 2015 Jaguar XE240 R Sport - goes like ....... !!
2013 Defender 90 CSW - sold
2009 Defender 110 Double Cab - sold
2001 TD5 90 CSW - offroad project - sold to a forum member
2011 Porsche Boxster - for the sunny days !
Post #200088 8th Jan 2013 9:28pm
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dhopable



Member Since: 31 Dec 2012
Location: Peterborough
Posts: 47

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Tonga Green
You know what i bet it would! Ive only noticed the lower end since changing the tyres a few weeks ago.

I had to space the spare with a couple of washers so the tyre didnt foul the wiper too. I bet that hasnt helped either.. Sad

If that is the reason what can i do?
Post #200091 8th Jan 2013 9:32pm
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Retroanaconda



Member Since: 04 Jan 2012
Location: Scotland
Posts: 2557

Scotland 
Mine is much the same:


Click image to enlarge


Though this is due to my swapping about of the springs to get a nicer ride. The springs on the back are the original front springs. There's only about 2" between bumpstop and axle and it bottoms out on bumps sometimes. My plan (as I'm too cheap to buy new springs) is to knock up some 1-1/2" spacer blocks to go between the axle bracket and the spring seat. If that doesn't work then I'll get a new set of 90 front springs and try that in the hope that the current ones (at 21 years old) are just a bit sagged. Last resort, put 90 rears back on Sad
Post #200102 8th Jan 2013 9:40pm
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bob neville



Member Since: 30 Apr 2009
Location: Marbella
Posts: 3247

Spain 2001 Defender 90 Td5 SW Epsom Green
Looking at the picture I would guess you are on 265 or 285's ?

They are significantly heavier than standard 235's.

My spare wheel lives in the back now, have a look in my gallery (TD5) and you will see the cage arrangement I have fitted. The wheel lives under that as far forward as I can get it.

Other option is heavier rear springs, genuine LR are not expensive. However they may make the ride choppier.

Bob 2015 Jaguar XE240 R Sport - goes like ....... !!
2013 Defender 90 CSW - sold
2009 Defender 110 Double Cab - sold
2001 TD5 90 CSW - offroad project - sold to a forum member
2011 Porsche Boxster - for the sunny days !
Post #200103 8th Jan 2013 9:40pm
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yobbie



Member Since: 15 Nov 2010
Location: Isle of Wight
Posts: 711

United Kingdom 1999 Defender 90 Td5 Heritage LE Bronze Green
I thought mine looked low at the back last year so I replaced the springs and shocks (all new standard LR) and it looks exactly the same as it did, so I wouldn't worry about it. I also think it makes a big difference if you've go a full tank of fuel as that hangs behind the rear axel.
Post #200108 8th Jan 2013 9:57pm
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dhopable



Member Since: 31 Dec 2012
Location: Peterborough
Posts: 47

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Tonga Green
Ok cool glad to hear it.. Ive been wondering about it for a while and just wanted to make sure it wasnt anything serious..

Thanks for the help once again guys Thumbs Up

Doug
Post #200112 8th Jan 2013 10:10pm
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Glynparry25



Member Since: 16 Feb 2009
Location: Miserable Midlands
Posts: 3015

Wales 2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS DCPU Tonga Green
^^As pointed out, it is common thing with 90s. All the old army ones were the same too- I personally never liked that look- good job I have a 110 Very Happy

Glyn Dog Sheep
Post #200194 9th Jan 2013 9:31am
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mikeh501



Member Since: 07 Jan 2013
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 1142

United Kingdom 
if you did want to change the stance then you shouldnt worry about the cost either. a decent set of rear springs is around £100 and the fitting takes about 30 mins.
Post #200197 9th Jan 2013 9:45am
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ibexman



Member Since: 13 Dec 2008
Location: kent
Posts: 2876

United Kingdom 
Some discovery spring isolators will give you 15mm back cheap option
Post #200225 9th Jan 2013 11:36am
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big steve



Member Since: 24 Dec 2009
Location: hertfordshire
Posts: 2456

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Montalcino Red
Looks fine to me are the tyres bigger than standard remember the front wheel arches sit higher on the body work and the rear arches sit lower Thumbs Up 2015 2.2 tdci hardtop xs
3.2 conversion DONE 238bhp and 707nm torque and thats just the start ;-P
hybrid turbo in build -done ready to fit
ashcroft atb in transfer box
6 speed auto in build
Post #200634 10th Jan 2013 9:13pm
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Cracka



Member Since: 08 Dec 2012
Location: New South Wales, Australia
Posts: 129

2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Fuji White
I have a MY12 Puma 90. I have 235/85Wrangler MTR's on it, it has covered 10000kms so I assume it has 'settled'. My ground to flare measurements are front 780 mm, rear 785 mm this is with the spare fitted on the back door, if I take it off, the rear raises 5 mm. Theses measurements are with tyre pressures at 32psi front and rear. I dare say your rears may have sagged Shocked

Hope this helps.

Mick

Edit....I just realized I wrote the wrong measurements, doh, should have read front 880 mm, rear 885 mm.

Mick


Last edited by Cracka on 21st Jan 2013 5:27am. Edited 1 time in total
Post #200666 10th Jan 2013 9:58pm
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SteveG



Member Since: 29 Nov 2011
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 656

2005 Defender 90 Td5 CSW Belize Green
standard spring seat to seat height for a TD5 90 are ~260mm front and ~300mm rear. Not sure if these altered with PUMA.

if you dont want to get dirty then these are approx heights for a 90 centre of hub to lower arch...

RH Rear 52.3cm
LH Rear 50.4cm

RH Front 52.3cm
LH Front 51cm

as per Ibexman's post rubber spring isolators give you back ~15mm and with a Hi-Lift takes about 5 mins to fit both.

Cheers

Steve
Post #200680 10th Jan 2013 10:29pm
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