Disco 3 ,bumpy ride ( solved )

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Thommo805

Active Member
Posts
140
Location
Kent
Hi I seem to be feeling all small bumps , like small tiny potholes , tarmac joins in rd it really sends a shock through the cabin but bigger rounded bumps all fine and normal flat rds seem to glide over , shoujd these cars feel smooth on general rds etc , my suspension goes up and down as should , is there any components I should check ?
 
Hi

Personally would first measure ur suspension ride height all round in the normal setting , from the centre of the wheels to the bottom of ur wheel arches in MM ,

plus what size tyres do u have fitted and what are the pressures plse

hope that helps to at least get u started , indeed these do soak up the bumps extremely well and extremely comfortable
 
Hi I’ve got general grabber at3 18 inch the max psi is 51 , I’ve reduced this to 35 today is some improvement but still not great , I will measure in the morning thanks for your help
 
Hi I’ve got general grabber at3 18 inch the max psi is 51 , I’ve reduced this to 35 today is some improvement but still not great , I will measure in the morning thanks for your help

Ur so welcome , brilliant as we can then go through the suspension step by step for u in order we can then try and find out why the ride isn’t as it should be

That's normally the best size being 18’s , assume there 255/60/18 then

indeed plse let us know what the heights are

ps has it always been like this or slowly got worse , ie have u owned it very long, cheers
 
Cheers I really appreciate that , I’ve owned it about 6 months , replaced suspension compressor about 3 weeks ago and suspension works as I believe it should I don’t think it was like it originally I just thought it was all roads in worse state for years but going over slightest bumps sends a little shock through cabin no knocks or bangs though , great cars these but endless work although I’d love to learn and stick with it .
 
Cheers I really appreciate that , I’ve owned it about 6 months , replaced suspension compressor about 3 weeks ago and suspension works as I believe it should I don’t think it was like it originally I just thought it was all roads in worse state for years but going over slightest bumps sends a little shock through cabin no knocks or bangs though , great cars these but endless work although I’d love to learn and stick with it .

Ur so very welcome

alas when I bought mine I had to virtually rebuild the entire suspension system, including wishbones, compressor, air tank, valve blocks, wiring , air struts , had more leaks than a seeve, etc etc , , the difference after was amazing , few pics for u

if u have diagnostics that can also help a lot as u can then read the live data , etc,

know they can be temperamental but honestly it’s not a complicated system once understood and are very reliable once the bugs are sorted out as sometimes it can just be an old wire that’s got a bad connection etc

due to the complexity of these vehicles one little thing can throw them out to having a hissy fit , so having ur own diagnostics , decent multimeter will pay for them selves very quickly

at the end of the day , personally had landies over 25 x years as this is my favourite so far with its sublime ride quality and driving manners

at least if we check the heights first , along with ensuring it doesn’t drop overnight we can go through it step by step,

happy to help as it’s always nice when people are grateful like ur good self , ur be surprised where some don’t even have manners

look forwards to see what the results are and we can go from there

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Very very clean , will definitely feed off your knowledge would love mine to get to that condition knowing things have been replaced and in good working order .
 
Very very clean , will definitely feed off your knowledge would love mine to get to that condition knowing things have been replaced and in good working order .

Many thks , indeed has been fully treated with dinitrol inside the chassis and out , a good mate helped because I’ve got plates etc in my back so limited in what I can do , but managed to do the struts and wishbones

indeed does take time but seeing these are getting 16 plus years old they just need a bit of care and attention, but they do out a smile on ur face so makes it all well worth it

ur find the number of D3/4 owners increasing here on the forum and always happy to help
 
Was that after I polished it for you Gary ? I can see my polisher in the reflection :D

it was indeed my friend and what a fantastic job u so very kindly done for me , for days after I was in awe of how hard u worked including that big mark across the back, think I’ve still got that picture , will see if I can find it

massive thks and credit to u my friend and was extremely grateful to u :):)

ps, did buy myself a small polisher which I found ideal when I debadged it

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Last edited:
Should be nice on 18s, 19 inch and up the ride gets worse.
Range rover front lower arms make the ride harder, could also be knackered front lower arm rear bushes.
Two ways to check, 1 brake real hard from low speed and if they knock they are done, or shine a torch at the rear bushs, if you can see rub marks on the mounting bracket where the rear of the bush has been touching, they are on their way out.
 
Should be nice on 18s, 19 inch and up the ride gets worse.
Range rover front lower arms make the ride harder, could also be knackered front lower arm rear bushes.
Two ways to check, 1 brake real hard from low speed and if they knock they are done, or shine a torch at the rear bushs, if you can see rub marks on the mounting bracket where the rear of the bush has been touching, they are on their way out.

plus 1 to the 18-19 and indeed as u say many report back that the ride is very good

See many like 18’s particular for greenlaning in having one of the best sidewall heights

Great point about the bushings , fingers crossed the OP’s are ok, know when my rear uppers bushes went I could rock the top of the wheel and could actually feel the wheel move seeing the bushings were knackered

am wondering if maybe the height rods are out causing the hard ride , will be interesting to see what the measurements are
 
Should be nice on 18s, 19 inch and up the ride gets worse.
Range rover front lower arms make the ride harder, could also be knackered front lower arm rear bushes.
Two ways to check, 1 brake real hard from low speed and if they knock they are done, or shine a torch at the rear bushs, if you can see rub marks on the mounting bracket where the rear of the
Should be nice on 18s, 19 inch and up the ride gets worse.
Range rover front lower arms make the ride harder, could also be knackered front lower arm rear bushes.
Two ways to check, 1 brake real hard from low speed and if they knock they are done, or shine a torch at the rear bushs, if you can see rub marks on the mounting bracket where the rear of the bush has been touching, they are on their way out.

bush has been touching, they are on their way out.


Thanks for your help tried the brakes no knocking heard will take a look at bushes tommorow Been a busy day with work today
 
plus 1 to the 18-19 and indeed as u say many report back that the ride is very good

See many like 18’s particular for greenlaning in having one of the best sidewall heights

Great point about the bushings , fingers crossed the OP’s are ok, know when my rear uppers bushes went I could rock the top of the wheel and could actually feel the wheel move seeing the bushings were knackered

am wondering if maybe the height rods are out causing the hard ride , will be interesting to see what the measurements are
Right got some measurements do seem all odd tbh these are rough though
1300 drivers rear

1200 passenger rear

900 passenger front

1000 drivers front
Not sure what it all means but I thought would be more even does tyre pressure have anything to do with it ?
 
Right got some measurements do seem all odd tbh these are rough though
1300 drivers rear

1200 passenger rear

900 passenger front

1000 drivers front
Not sure what it all means but I thought would be more even does tyre pressure have anything to do with it ?

I have found over the years they can be very very sensitive to tyre pressures
I am currently running 35 front and 40 rears but I'm also running 255 6519 tires and I have to say with these tall side walls it is the nicest riding it has been in the eight years I have owned it
Next time somebody says to you discovery 3s have a magic carpet ride you have my full permission to nut them full on in the face!
 
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