Suspension Questions

I have had my 2004 Freelander Td4 Facelift for about a month now.

Having fixed all the serious issues, I have now drawn my attention to the ride.

I have 3 symptoms :

• Firstly the MOT threw up rear shocks as an advisory with no explanation as to why but they look ok, no leaks etc.
  
• Secondly the rear suspension is incredibly soft, I can stand in the rear door way and push down on the car and it moves up and down really easily and by several inches.
• Under certain circumstances there a a slight knock that appears to be from the rear, I cannot reproduce it, speed bumps are ok, it seems to be when going round a corner where 1 wheel catches a slight pot hole.

Generally the ride is pleasing.

Having looked online not many people sell springs and shocks for the Freelander, certainly not the plethora you get from quality manufacturers like Munro, Bilstein etc for Disocvery, RRs and Defenders.

Does that mean the rear suspension is badly designed ?

I presume knocking is a bush.

The vehicle came with a mountain of paperwork, it has been well looked after by dealers and independents but no sign of any suspension parts other than a rear diff bush last year.

Comments please

If it's gone more than 60K miles, the shocks will be past it. This would explain the softness and the knock. It's better to change all 4 shocks. There's nothing wrong with the suspension design. It's difficult for it to be improved on, which is likely why few parts suppliers try

Its done 165k.

I can't find anyone who does the shocks, I avoid britpart and bearmach like the plague.

Any suggestion ?

At 165K, the shocks are and most bushes will be dead. OE shocks are available at reasonable prices as are the bushes. I'd do the springs too. I use these guys for pretty much everything LR.
http://www.advancedfactors.co.uk/steering--suspension-parts-for-the-freelander-1-62-c.asp

Nice web site but it doesn't say what brand they are so almost certainly going to be aftermarket junk.

Have emailed and asked the question anyway.

Thanks,

Rocky Ward said:

Nice web site but it doesn't say what brand they are so almost certainly going to be aftermarket junk.

Have emailed and asked the question anyway.

Thanks,

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Steve at Advanced Factors doesn't sell junk and has a good reputation for not doing so, which is why I use them. Everything I've got from AF is either OE or from an OE supplier. Check out the returns policy, they want there customers to be happy.
However if you want parts with the factory label then these will do the parts you need.
http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/item--i-GRID007321

When anyone mentions F1 knocks and them happening when cornering - the immediate worry is the VCU & tyres. As you mention uneven ground - that's even more of a warning. As you mention the rear diff bush needing replacement recently - that's even more of a warning.

With a perfect VCU and tyres all identical - there is still an amount of wind up when cornering as the VCU will resist slip. As the VCU ages and goes tight or the tyres get any inconsistencies, this wind up is magnified. On gravel a rear wheel will skip due to the wind up but on grippy road surfaces the IRD and rear diff will force this difference out through tyre treads flexing and forcing an unwilling VCU to slip. This obviously puts strain on the IRD & diff which causes the all to frequent F1 transmission failures and expensive repair bills.

As you mention slight pot holes, this means that there is momentarily less grip - so its likely the wheel is skipping and the noise is that and the sudden stopping of it once grip is restored. So, a 1 wheel up test and checking all 4 tyres are the same make/model & pressure is a high priority. If there's no record of the VCU being changed - it would probably be prudent to change it at 165K miles. Another indication that there could be this type of problem is with the rear diff bush having needed replacement last year - it may be age or it may be that wind up forces have hastened its failure.

Of course the knock could be suspension related - but if it were my motor - I'd be examining the transmission with a fine tooth comb before turning my attention to that.

Someone has there thinking hat on today, GG very valid points.

It was the anti roll bar bushes, I fitted some Flow Flex ones this morning and the problem has vanished.

Thanks for the advice though.

Nodge68 said:

At 165K, the shocks are and most bushes will be dead. OE shocks are available at reasonable prices as are the bushes. I'd do the springs too. I use these guys for pretty much everything LR.
http://www.advancedfactors.co.uk/steering--suspension-parts-for-the-freelander-1-62-c.asp

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Hell Nodge, that is a Heck of a good site - prices are superb - also their shipping costs here are for nothing !!! 30kg for 15 quid !!
Many thanks for that one.!!!!
Joe

Joe_H said:

Hell Nodge, that is a Heck of a good site - prices are superb - also their shipping costs here are for nothing !!! 30kg for 15 quid !!
Many thanks for that one.!!!!
Joe

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I used them for D3 parts as do pretty much everyone on the D3 forum.
It's run by a guy who loves LRs and only sells stuff he would use himself.

Kyb list shocks for the FL1

http://www.kyb-europe.com/catalogue.asp

Not a lot of thought put into this site, would have expect a nice list of vehicle makes etc to make life easy.

Rocky Ward said:

How did you work that out ?

Its the most useless web site I have ever seen, can't search by vehicle type.

Click to expand...

I simply typed in Land Rover and freelander and it brought up a list which included all variants

Advancedfactors site is simply brill. A well thought out easy to navigate site with good pictures and diagrams. thats going to damage my bank balance.

There is even a list of oils required and capacities, you can tell this guy is a LR nut.