Lowering suspension

saxmanuk · Jan 19, 2011

Hello all...I am still a newbie so apologies re some mundane questions

My 1993 200 TDi 110 has 2" lift heavy duty springs and Delphi hard shocks
I would like to lower it down to standard height as I don't think it looks right/original and it handles like cack!
My questions are:
1) What do I need to do this and which springs/shocks would the forum advise?

I have original wheels and need new tyres
2) What is the original tyre size/width/height etc? I will be mostly doing road/lanes but would need grip in the winter snow etc

Thanks

PS fuel gauge does not work

quick fix or not?

khaos · Jan 19, 2011

I'd go for standard parts. I think they were OEM but someone will correct me soon. You should only need springs and dampers if the trailing arms are standard. Don't buy britpart. It's a 4 hour or so job, the hardest part is getting the front dampers off without damaging them (ebay them after).

saxmanuk · Jan 19, 2011

khaos said:
I'd go for standard parts. I think they were OEM but someone will correct me soon. You should only need springs and dampers if the trailing arms are standard. Don't buy britpart. It's a 4 hour or so job, the hardest part is getting the front dampers off without damaging them (ebay them after).

Thanks for the reply Khaos...back to the Leeds/Arse-nel game!

MBrown · Jan 20, 2011

Yeh as long as everything else is standard then just the springs and shocks would need changing. I did this to mine yesterday funnily enough and went for armstrong shocks and springs (slightly better than britpart) from mail order 4x4. Good price, ride is now very good (obviously will settle a bit over time) but am very happy. The armstrong ones are also black - so if you like standard look then they are good for this.

Changing them as was said about should take 4 or so hours but depends on how seized the nuts are.

saxmanuk · Jan 20, 2011

MBrown said:
Yeh as long as everything else is standard then just the springs and shocks would need changing. I did this to mine yesterday funnily enough and went for armstrong shocks and springs (slightly better than britpart) from mail order 4x4. Good price, ride is now very good (obviously will settle a bit over time) but am very happy. The armstrong ones are also black - so if you like standard look then they are good for this.

Changing them as was said about should take 4 or so hours but depends on how seized the nuts are.

MBrown
Many thanks for the reply..couple of questions please?

I have seen standard height but heavy duty springs..which do you recommend and why?

Secondly: What wheels and tyres do you have .i.e. width height etc I am tring to understand the best combination etc

Thirdly: Is it easy to do? or do you recommend following a set procedure from a haynes manual
Thanks

saxmanuk · Jan 20, 2011

MBrown said:
Yeh as long as everything else is standard then just the springs and shocks would need changing. I did this to mine yesterday funnily enough and went for armstrong shocks and springs (slightly better than britpart) from mail order 4x4. Good price, ride is now very good (obviously will settle a bit over time) but am very happy. The armstrong ones are also black - so if you like standard look then they are good for this.

Changing them as was said about should take 4 or so hours but depends on how seized the nuts are.

I keep seeing that forum members dont recommend Britpart!? is there something I need to be aware of as a newbie?

tottot · Jan 20, 2011

saxmanuk said:
MBrown
Many thanks for the reply..couple of questions please?

I have seen standard height but heavy duty springs..which do you recommend and why?

Secondly: What wheels and tyres do you have .i.e. width height etc I am tring to understand the best combination etc

Thirdly: Is it easy to do? or do you recommend following a set procedure from a haynes manual
Thanks

Use standard springs unless your carrying heavy loads or your back is made of iron. Gas dampers for a little extra can help with handeling.

khaos · Jan 20, 2011

saxmanuk said:
MBrown
Many thanks for the reply..couple of questions please?

I have seen standard height but heavy duty springs..which do you recommend and why?

Secondly: What wheels and tyres do you have .i.e. width height etc I am tring to understand the best combination etc

Thirdly: Is it easy to do? or do you recommend following a set procedure from a haynes manual
Thanks

If you off road then you will want standard springs because they give more articulation.

Heavy duty ones reduce roll on road but can be bumpy.

It's just personal choice more than anything.

MBrown · Jan 26, 2011

Sorry for the late reply, I would also recommend standard and not heavy duty - again unless you are looking to carry very heavy loads.

Changing them would be difficult for one person on their own. To do it quickly have a grinder handy or a nut splitter and just remove all of the nuts like that. You may have to remove the guards for the front shocks inside the engine bay, easily done but will give you very easy access to the top of the shocks.

There are a couple of different variations to remove them but would recommend doing a search on youtube, there are some clips demonstrating how. For example [nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDMODpwTSWk"]YouTube - Fitting new suspention to Land Rover Defender 110[/nomedia]

Hope this helps!

Mark

MBrown · Jan 26, 2011

Oh yeah and I currently have 7.50 R16s. The size is a good looking standard size, they are just marginally bigger than the standard size for a defender 90.

Regarding how easy it is to do. If you have not done it before, and parts are seized and you are doing it on your own it will probably take you 6 hours depending how quick you take to DIY. Again look at youtube and then look up any reading material for any parts you don't understand.

Grimmer · Jan 26, 2011

saxmanuk said:
I keep seeing that forum members dont recommend Britpart!? is there something I need to be aware of as a newbie?

Have a search mate there are quite a few threads regarding sh@tpart, with very few having anything good to say, although from what I can make out depending on the bit you are after they can vary between 'Alright' and 'Worse than useless'. Have a look and make your own mind up pal

saxmanuk · Jan 29, 2011

MBrown said:
Oh yeah and I currently have 7.50 R16s. The size is a good looking standard size, they are just marginally bigger than the standard size for a defender 90.

Regarding how easy it is to do. If you have not done it before, and parts are seized and you are doing it on your own it will probably take you 6 hours depending how quick you take to DIY. Again look at youtube and then look up any reading material for any parts you don't understand.

Thanks for the advice MBrown

martyc · Jan 29, 2011

khaos said:
I'd go for standard parts. I think they were OEM but someone will correct me soon.

I'd be slightly worried if OEM parts weren't standard parts- it stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer

Although I suppose they could possibly make stuff in different specs too maybe

jamesmartin · Jan 30, 2011

i wouldnt recommend britpart patter parts but there oem is the same as anybodys ,there std hd yellow springs and gas shockers are very good i fitted many sets for years never had a problem transform ride and not over hard

Lowering suspension

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