Reducing body roll - sorry if this is heresy.

davidlscott · Jul 10, 2012

Is there a cheap and effective way of reducing body roll to slightly less wallowy levels?

I'm not looking to go green laning (I've got my trail bike for that) or any extreme driving (too scared) but would like to stop that sickening lurch as the thing starts falling over. It might also stop my wife calling it 'The Heap that rolls' but I doubt it somehow.

This may be heresy but it might also be useful.

Cheers
David

(and no I don't want to set light to it

).

Singvogel · Jul 10, 2012

davidlscott said:
Is there a cheap and effective way of reducing body roll to slightly less wallowy levels?

I'm not looking to go green laning (I've got my trail bike for that) or any extreme driving (too scared) but would like to stop that sickening lurch as the thing starts falling over. It might also stop my wife calling it 'The Heap that rolls' but I doubt it somehow.

This may be heresy but it might also be useful.

Cheers
David

(and no I don't want to set light to it ).

Hi David,

Am I right in thinking this 'heap that rolls' is 14 years old and done over 100K?

If so, I'm thinking its rather tired old suspension could be helped by fitting some Grayston Spring Assisters on the back coils. Never heard of anyione fitting them to the front - but I reckon it's possible.

I have them for towing - Size GE15 - that's the cheapest option, rather than getting uprated springs.

Singvogel.

nbrooks · Jul 10, 2012

I'd be interested to know what the best (not necessarily cheapest) option would be. Mine's on just shy of 110k and has a big of a wallow going on. I've had it a few months now and its a great car otherwise (not sure why it gets so much stick from my mates).
I can't see any specific firmer suspension, could someone point me in the right direction please.

Thanks in advance.

cox325 · Jul 10, 2012

singvogel just said one option, neither posters have mention model or year, you could replace knackered suspension with standard, replace with sports springs a bit stiffer or as above. if you wanted a roller skate for holding the road why get a Land Rover.

What tyres you got??? thin ones, wide ones?????? roof rack????? they're heavy vehicles for their class dont expect great handling.........

freelance · Jul 10, 2012

new dampers and or new springs, and or new anti roll bars.

Singvogel · Jul 10, 2012

davidlscott said:
Is there a cheap and effective way of reducing body roll to slightly less wallowy levels?

Sorry - I misunderstood your post - probably because you asked for a cheap and effective fix.

I'd be interested to know what the best (not necessarily cheapest) option would be.

The best option would undoubtedly be as cox and freelance have said - new damper, new sports springs (which would lower the car by a little over 25mm) new anti-roll bars and poly-bushes. Then wider and bigger wheels and tyres (I'm running 235/55 17s with 'sticky' tyres) will transform the car and it will corner as if on rails.

That could possibly not be economically viable depending on the age and value of the vehicle.

Spring assisters and new roll-bar bushes might be enough though.

Singvogel.

davidlscott · Jul 11, 2012

Thnaks for the replies.

You are right singvogel - it is 14 years old and 106k.

I am not looking for sporty handling - my BMW does that - obviously I expect it to wallow a bit but something to take the edge off it would be nice but at that age and low value it's not worth spending good money on.

I was expecting someone to say something like we all zip tie 6" of 2x1 timber between the 3rd and 4th spring coil and that transforms the handling

.....and it looks like those spring assisters are a technical version of my guess. I may give them a go at that price (20 or 30 quid).

At £1800, the plan was that if it lasted a year (which it has now) we're happy and two years will be excellent but the first major expense is 'the end'.
I don't mind things like the anti clunk jobs that I am having done shortly.

Singvogel · Jul 11, 2012

davidlscott said:
Thnaks for the replies.

You are right singvogel - it is 14 years old and 106k.

I am not looking for sporty handling - my BMW does that - obviously I expect it to wallow a bit but something to take the edge off it would be nice but at that age and low value it's not worth spending good money on.

I was expecting someone to say something like we all zip tie 6" of 2x1 timber between the 3rd and 4th spring coil and that transforms the handling .....and it looks like those spring assisters are a technical version of my guess. I may give them a go at that price (20 or 30 quid).

At £1800, the plan was that if it lasted a year (which it has now) we're happy and two years will be excellent but the first major expense is 'the end'.
I don't mind things like the anti clunk jobs that I am having done shortly.

A sensible decision - you need to be ruled by economics these days.

Interesting how you comment on sporty handling. - my Freelander does that! -I'm just planning this year's round of my usual summer pastime - climbing as many Alpine passes as possible - a habit to which I am addicted - and it's the Freelander everytime - the 528i will be staying at home.

On my pass-storming exercises I can see off most types - BMWs and Alfa Rs included - a Freelander with decent road tyres is a 'horse of a different colour'. Try the Stelvio

or the Maloja

(can't compete with Ferraris driven by Italians or most bikes though - Harley Ds yes, Kawasakis no, Ha ha.)

As you could surmise one of my favourite films is The Italian Job - the original of course.

Good luck in improving your 'heap that rolls'.

Singvogel.

davidlscott · Jul 12, 2012

Shame you're so far north, we have just had a replica of the Italian Job ending of the coach hanging off the cliff set on our superb De la Warr Pavilion in Bexhill as some Installation Art.
Artist Richard Wilson hangs out 'Italian Job' bus to teeter on Bexhill pavilion | Culture | The Guardian

I'd give you a run on my KTM 950SM then (I hope).

I may give the manufacturers a call about the Graystons.

Our local PCSO was telling me that one of his first police jobs was to deliver a new Discovery and he drove across our local Pevensey Marsh road at the same speed as usual and missed ducking it in the ditch on the outside of the first bend by about 6".

Singvogel · Jul 12, 2012

davidlscott said:
Shame you're so far north, we have just had a replica of the Italian Job ending of the coach hanging off the cliff set on our superb De la Warr Pavilion in Bexhill as some Installation Art.
Artist Richard Wilson hangs out 'Italian Job' bus to teeter on Bexhill pavilion | Culture | The Guardian

I'd give you a run on my KTM 950SM then (I hope).

I may give the manufacturers a call about the Graystons.

Our local PCSO was telling me that one of his first police jobs was to deliver a new Discovery and he drove across our local Pevensey Marsh road at the same speed as usual and missed ducking it in the ditch on the outside of the first bend by about 6".

Excellent info.

Great link about the bus

Fantastic bike too.

As for the Discovery - well that's why I don't have one - I could afford one (just) but choose not to. Loads of folks don't understand how sometimes a less expensive vehicle can be better suited to someone's needs.

When I bought my (top of the range at the time) Freelander the salesman said it was a pity I couldn't afford a little more to get the 'entry-level' Discovery. Total tw*t - the cost of fuel alone would stop me driving to Greece for example. I drove my BMW all over Europe until I tried the Freelander in the mountains. 4X4 is far superior for hair-pins. Also I knocked hell out of the very pricey tyres on the 528i.

I'm very happy with my 'lesser' truck.

Wouldn't mind a go on the KTM though - first thing would be to head for the ferry to Douglas.

Good luck with the Graystons - very simple and quick to fit - just jack up the wheel off the ground - I only got them for towing, but they should help you.

Caio,

Singvogel.

freelanderer · Jul 12, 2012

Hi there,
Grayston's say GE14. A fiver each in Halfords.

David Drew · Jul 12, 2012

Singvogel said:
On my pass-storming exercises I can see off most types - BMWs and Alfa Rs included - a Freelander with decent road tyres is a 'horse of a different colour'. Try the Stelvio or the Maloja

(can't compete with Ferraris driven by Italians or most bikes though - Harley Ds yes, Kawasakis no, Ha ha.)

Singvogel.

Stelvio Pass...yes,yes.

My wife & I did that on by Beemer Tourer. Got overtaken downhill by pushbikes, but uphill was great!

What a road?. Saw it on Top Gear one Christmas. Plotted it into the Sat Nav for our Summer holiday in July.

Got to the hotel at the top and a berk stepped out of the car park right into our path. Missed him by inches. What a pillock.....

......it was Jeremy Clarkson. That is absolutely true. They were there filming again. How's that for pure coincidence.?

Many people have said I should have done the job properly and run him over. lol.

Sorry for thread hijack.

David

Singvogel · Jul 12, 2012

David D:

Seems like I'm not alone in my addiction to Alpine Passes then.

Have you tried the Grossglockner HochAlpenStrasse?
Grossglockner High Alpine Road

Mr J Cracklson has apparently been denied access for filming more than once.

It's truly awesome and featured on the Hairy Bikers 'bakation' recently.
Unfortunately it's the happy hunting ground of tour buses in July and August, but you can get a great rhythm going on the shoe-lace curves.

Actually I prefer the Nockberg which is nearby and is less well know so much less busy.

Freelanderer: Halfrauds have as a discontinued line for £5 each right enough.
But I checked on Graystons web-site and I think they say G15s.
According to the recommended dimensions the G14 would be too small and could fall out easily.

S.

freelanderer · Jul 12, 2012

Hi there,

MODEL YEAR RUBBER RINGS AUX.COIL SPRING
LAND ROVER COIL SPRING MODELS 83 -- GE15 -
RANGE ROVER 70 -- GE15 -
DISCOVERY 89 -- GE15 -
FREELANDER 97 -- GE14 -

from their Spring Assisters By Grayston Engineering Ltd website.

Singvogel · Jul 12, 2012

freelanderer said:
Hi there,

MODEL YEAR RUBBER RINGS AUX.COIL SPRING
LAND ROVER COIL SPRING MODELS 83 -- GE15 -
RANGE ROVER 70 -- GE15 -
DISCOVERY 89 -- GE15 -
FREELANDER 97 -- GE14 -

from their Spring Assisters By Grayston Engineering Ltd website.

My apologies freelanderer - you're right

Funny that - because ...........

also on their web-site they give the application sizes:

Part No. To Suit Gap Distance
GE 13 18 to 25mm gap
GE 14 26 to 38mm gap
GE 15 39 to 51mm gap
GE 15A 51 to 65mm gap

I didn't see the page you quote - I just measured the spring gap - 47mm - and bought the ones that corresponded.

Maybe that explains the complaint that I hear from caravanners that the inserts fall out when they are not towing.

I have no problems in fitting the GE15s.

Singvogel.

David Drew · Jul 12, 2012

Singvogel said:
David D:

Seems like I'm not alone in my addiction to Alpine Passes then.

Have you tried the Grossglockner HochAlpenStrasse?
Grossglockner High Alpine Road

Mr J Crackson has apparently been denied access for filming more than once.

It's a cracker - featured on the Hairy Bikers 'bakation' recently.
Unfortunately it's the happy hunting ground of tour buses in July and August, but you can get a great rhythm going on the shoe-lace curves.

Actually I prefer the Nockberg which is nearby and is less well know so much less busy.

S.

Yep. Did that last year. Awesome. It was thick fog most of the way & someone had laid a trail of oil up on my lane for several miles. Not good on a bike!

Probably a Land Rover.

The glacier was a sight & all the biker-friendly pull-ins were really appreciated.

Done most of the Alps Cols and love them. Particularly like the Pyrennes too.

Again, apols for thread-hijack

David

davidlscott · Jul 12, 2012

No apologies need for hijacks talking about bikes or mountains.
My little KTM

I've spent too much time looking for a replacement enduro/trail bike today so will look at inserts tomorrow.

David Drew · Jul 12, 2012

davidlscott said:
I've spent too much time looking for a replacement enduro/trail bike today so will look at inserts tomorrow.

Nice bike.

I've got a BMW K1300GT, Suzuki DL 650.

Don't ride them near enough - except we've done Scandinavia, Austria, Alps on the Beemer.

davidlscott · Jul 13, 2012

David Drew said:
Nice bike.

I've got a BMW K1300GT, Suzuki DL 650.

Don't ride them near enough - except we've done Scandinavia, Austria, Alps on the Beemer.

My Europe touring days on a bike were some time ago now (when we were married in the late 70's).

Just looking to change my Yamaha WR450 for a KTM 250 or 400.
Also got a Beta 250 trials bike but I'm a bit talentless on that

Singvogel · Jul 13, 2012

davidlscott said:
My Europe touring days on a bike were some time ago now (when we were married in the late 70's).

Just looking to change my Yamaha WR450 for a KTM 250 or 400.
Also got a Beta 250 trials bike but I'm a bit talentless on that

I reckon I must spend a total of 2 months a year in the Alps, as I always pass through them on my several journeys to the Balkans.

I don't think I'll ever tire of those windy roads with spectacular views - and the picnics at the roadside surrounded by wild flowers with the sound of cow-bells in the distance. I also go off-roading up the maze of forest roads coming out above the tree line.

Super.

I've been doing this for over 40 years now and the addiction /attraction doesn't seem to be wearing off yet

Singvogel.

Reducing body roll - sorry if this is heresy.

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