Terrafirma rear dampers fitment

Evening all, I probably should've started a thread introducing myself before asking for help - but the help is already needed

Little bit about me though, I own a 1995 110 300tdi. Currently completely standard but I do have a few minor plans as I intend to do some camping in it.

Today I got started with upgrading the suspension all around, went with the terrafirma 2" lift kit. Fronts went perfect but come to the back and I have an issue with the damper fitment if someone could advise please. The bottom of the damper only has 2 rubber bushes and 2 metal plates, all pictures I've seen seem to show 4 metal plates, 2 per Bush. The instructions from terrafirma are pretty useless but do only show 2 plates, does this mean the Bush just sits against the mount of the axle? If so then it still gives movement and doesn't compress the rubbers at all. Pic attached of how mine are supplied. Is this correct?

My axle doesn't have the cups welded in place as some are showing so may have been removed, or not there on a 95 model?

Regards

It's missing two of the washers. You can buy better ones online. Why are you lifting it anyway? Never seen the point in it myself unless you plan on doing some proper offroading, a standard defender will get you pretty much anywhere

the_wolf said:

It's missing two of the washers. You can buy better ones online. Why are you lifting it anyway? Never seen the point in it myself unless you plan on doing some proper offroading, a standard defender will get you pretty much anywhere

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Thought it was, but the instructions from terrafirma don't have them shown either which is what confused me more...

I have emailed britpart as that's where I had them from but not expecting a reply until Tuesday. Was just hoping I could sort something before then! Landy is in the air now waiting.

Only raising it and putting wider wheels on as I prefer that look.

TF117?

Last ones I fitted on my dearly departed 2002 110DCPU were the same….

The original ones that came off were the same but sans bushes as they had perished

slomofo said:

TF117?

Last ones I fitted on my dearly departed 2002 110DCPU were the same….

The original ones that came off were the same but sans bushes as they had perished

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They are TF117 rear kit yes. Did you just leave the washers out completely and fit direct to the axle mounts then?

Bazvw205 said:

They are TF117 rear kit yes. Did you just leave the washers out completely and fit direct to the axle mounts then?

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Used the washers as per the left hand sketch on the instructions you have - pic of mine attached shows bottom mount sandwiched between the bushes and the washers go top/bottom

slomofo said:

Used the washers as per the left hand sketch on the instructions you have - pic of mine attached shows bottom mount sandwiched between the bushes and the washers go top/bottom

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thanks, do the rubbers go as they are in my first picture? Yours look like the other way around so the tapered side would sit into the axle mount

Bazvw205 said:

thanks, do the rubbers go as they are in my first picture? Yours look like the other way around so the tapered side would sit into the axle mount

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the way they were delivered is the correct configuration for fitment and is reflected in the image in the instructions

slomofo said:

the way they were delivered is the correct configuration for fitment and is reflected in the image in the instructions

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thanks

You’re welcome - don’t forget to post up in the ‘introduce yourself’ section and brace yourself…..

Wouldn't fitting the bushes directly to the shock mount just wear them out pretty quickly? I've never seen shocks fitted without all 4 washers on it but I don't know if fitting is different for newer Defenders.

+1 get the extra cups. This will stop any movement on the threads in the hole & causing problems later in life.

@the_wolf later axles had the cups pre welded to the axles

The TF121's I bought for my Defender had 4 washers for the bottom shock rubbers.
This isn't the actual shock I got but is what I got (iyswim).
As far as I can tell the TF117's should have the same number pof washers...

I have emailed terrafirma themselves for clarification. Looked at numerous online pictures and most do show 4 washers, just fit it strange that both shocks are missing them and the fitting instructions don’t show 4

Hmmm - that’s got me thinking, the existing dampers under my ‘98 90 are double washers on each bush and the replacements are as well. Yet when I swapped out the same fellas on my 110 they were singles ‘like for like’ with cups on the topside of the axle.

Only Terrafirma will know the reasoning why these have been supplied as singles when every other variant is double.

Baffling

Later axles have the cups welded to the axle so you only need two washers, I don't know what year they were introduced (mine has them) but perhaps your shocks were shown as being suitable for later models (even though the only difference is a pair of washers)?
I know some people prefer to knock the cops off and use the washers, can't see the point myself as the cups work perfectly.

My new shocks also only had 2 washers. Is there a supplier the sells the missing two?

payydg said:

My new shocks also only had 2 washers. Is there a supplier the sells the missing two?

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Why does terafirma show these in the photos as 4 washers/cups?
Look at the RRC/disco 1 set up. I’m sure they are shipping the later models with no cups(as already on axles or so they think)

Did TerraFirma clear this up?

Yes, it is as @Litch said. These shocks are for later axles with the cups already attached, I have had delivered to me 4 rubbers and 8 new washers today. They reply email from supplier did say you should request when buying, but there was nothing written to advise this in the adverts! They have told me to definitely not fit them without any as the shocks will fail and they won't honour warranty for incorrectly fitted shocks.