Fitting Terrafirma Rear Shocks

Evening!

2002 Td5 90.

Finally got around to fitting my new rear shocks as the old ones where getting a bit old and worn.

Went for the Terrafirma Medium load. All seems good but the axle mount for the shock has a 'cup' on either side where the bush sits but when the shock is fitted the bush is almost flush, looks asthough it has no flex in it at all. Which makes me nervous...

Small bit of checking and according to Terrafirma Im meant to cut the 'cups' off and use the washers/bushes supplied. Just looking for some clarification please!

Thanks

Yes, a lot of people take the cups off the axle brackets and suffer no ill effects. Like a kind of Land Rover circumcision. I've still got mine but it's just a matter of personal preference

they told me to cut them off, after the pins snapped off 3 of the shocks within 3 months of fitting, never did, I just fitted the replacement shocks they supplied and have been ok since, but I dont rate terrafima suspension after using it long term

When I replaced my shock absorbers in the autumn of 2013, the old ones had developed a distinct 'neck' on the pins where they went through the bracket (or the spring seat in the case of the front ones). This was because the old bushes had squashes up and lost their elasticity and had allowed metal to metal contact. Now I have reasonably fresh bouncy bushes it doesn't seem to be a problem.

Cheers guys. Seen a few pics of sheered shocks, would rather avoid that!

Wondering if its best to get some new bushes to replace to old style or cut the cup off. If I where to cut the cups off will I be able to fit other types of shocks in the future? At the moment there is definate metal - metal contact.

I did do some fairly extensive reading on the new suspension set up I bought, general consensus was they are well made quality shocks but the finish is pretty bad. Either way the old Delphi ones where pretty shot, bushes cracked and ive had enough of the HD springs, I just dont carry enough weight often enough to warrent them.

johnlad said:

they told me to cut them off, after the pins snapped off 3 of the shocks within 3 months of fitting, never did, I just fitted the replacement shocks they supplied and have been ok since, but I dont rate terrafima suspension after using it long term

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What don't you like about it? I find the finish to be slightly on the poor side, but I've been running the same all terrain, plus 2" terra shocks for 3 1/2 years and I think they are fantastic! Currently run them with standard duty springs for all types of situations and they seem spot on! Well priced too!

Good to know!

Ended up grinding/chisleing the cups off, took bloomin ages! But ones on!

Lol I'm not even sure what cups you chaps are reffering to.....

The rusty bits at the bottom of the shock haha

I have the +2" med springs with the +5 shocks, the paint on the springs came off within 6 month, and I find it crashes into pot holes etc, it doesnt seem to absorb the bumps

Couldnt care less about paint coming off, I don't sit and oggle my suspension. Plus you can barely see em.

As mentioned I have HD springs at the minute and the ride isnt great

bankz5152 said:

Couldnt care less about paint coming off, I don't sit and oggle my suspension. Plus you can barely see em.

As mentioned I have HD springs at the minute and the ride isnt great

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No but the rust gets at em sooner without paint

johnlad said:

I have the +2" med springs with the +5 shocks, the paint on the springs came off within 6 month, and I find it crashes into pot holes etc, it doesnt seem to absorb the bumps

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I know exactly what you're saying, I had the same springs, and took them off after 2 weeks, they aren't very supple, and thats why I run the standard springs now. Shocks seem very good though!
A the end of the day the springs are a very cheap, budget package of lifting a vehicle, you get what you pay for.

bankz5152 said:

The rusty bits at the bottom of the shock haha

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Lol! I see what your talking about, I've left mine on, seem to be ok on mine, although the bush is slightly squished down more on one side, no adverse effects so far though! Good luck with the rest chap!

Cheers! Almost done with the rears!

This is why i decided to remove em -

Shiit!! I better take a peak at mine tomorrow morning!!

didnt you read the terrafirma fitting instructions?

they tell you to remove the cup welded to the mounting bracket - or risk snapping the shocks .

read this VVVVVV

I wish i knew about the spot welds! I chiseled the whole lot off!

Mine are much tighter than that though, bushes are quite squashed


Thats leaving a tiny bit of thread at the bottom.

Oppps, sorry chaps, just realised mine doesn't even have the cups!!!! Doh!