Freelander 1 Suspension

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RallyHippo

Member
Posts
92
Location
Selby, North Yorks
hey guys, so it turns out hippo no 3 (my road car) is actually a de badged sport.. Thought it looked low against the other halves but hers is on big tyres n has roof bars so thought it optic illusion... Driving it it's as hard as hell and seems way too low.. Now the q I have is to take the sport suspension off.. What's different? Are they completely different struts n springs? I have a set of nearly new front n rears that came off the rally car I'm building but that was a 98 1.8 donor these won't be the same as the 04 td4's will they?? Just to swap them over?? Alternatively I want to send her up on a 40mm lift anyway so anyone know of a 75 mm lift for a freelander to bring the sport suspension to the same height as std +40mm the stiffer springs would probably be a benefit for that...
Cheers D
 
If the Sport has different suspension setup that rides 35MM lower than standard - is the streering arm attached 35 mm lower on the strut to retain the original geometry? If so bunging a 75mm lift on would throw that out completely - it it would still function, there would be some major chassis work.
 
Good thought... Looking at it no the suspension arms all seem to be "looking up" rather than riding level as standard.. I think I'm more inclined to swap all the struts over complete since my other 4 are nearly new, just want to be sure there is no difference between the td4 and 1.8 especially with them being from an early, early model.... Everyone online breakers etc seem to advertise one fits all but just thought I'd consult the experts...
 
The larger Td4 engine weighs far more than the 1.8 petrol engine and springs would be suited for the specific engine set up. So I don't think that the springs for 1.8 you have would be a good swap. You would also have to keep the current hubs, or you'll have trouble with brake callipers and ABS sensors and also driveshafts.
You really need to get a set of post 2001 Td4 suspension. There's plenty about.
 
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Has it been poly bushed as well? I have just changed all my front bushes for poly ones on my sport and the ride is noticeably firmer.
 
Sport suspension is 20% stiffer than the standard Freelander. From memory it's 20mm lower too. The shocks are stiffer and slightly shorter in piston length. The sport rear springs are the same across the model range. However the front springs are engine and spec dependent. This follows for the standard springs too. So if you have a TD4 auto with AC, the springs from a 1.8 without AC will not work. It will sit nose down as the front will have almost 200 Kgs of extra weight on them.
You can buy full sets of the correct springs and shocks for a less than a set of tyres. So it's not really worth trying to make up a set of incorrect or worn out stuff when it's readily available. Your old sport springs and shocks will have some value too as plenty of people want to drop there Freelander for street use ;)
 
2006MY Td4 and V6, including sport, have a gvw of nearly 500kg and rear axle weight 250kg higher than previous models, with Microcat listing different suspension part numbers for those models than previous ones.
 
So anyone know how to remove rear shock without disconnect brake line ??......what was in their minds ....little bastards...:confused:
According to RAVE you can't
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Sport suspension is 20% stiffer than the standard Freelander. From memory it's 20mm lower too. The shocks are stiffer and slightly shorter in piston length. The sport rear springs are the same across the model range. However the front springs are engine and spec dependent. This follows for the standard springs too. So if you have a TD4 auto with AC, the springs from a 1.8 without AC will not work. It will sit nose down as the front will have almost 200 Kgs of extra weight on them.
You can buy full sets of the correct springs and shocks for a less than a set of tyres. So it's not really worth trying to make up a set of incorrect or worn out stuff when it's readily available. Your old sport springs and shocks will have some value too as plenty of people want to drop there Freelander for street use ;)
I know we/you have been over this in previous posts So sorry
Just so I am 100% clear the the shocks are definitely different and unwise to put normal shocks on lowered sport springs?
 
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