Disco 2 Suspension

[Def90]

I need some advise regards the suspension on my Disco 2.

I have a Disco 2 fitted with SLS air suspension and ACE. I have owned the car for some years and have found it to be very “planted” on the road, cornering is excellent and the only observation I might have had is that the ride was quiet hard.

Recently I had the normal issue with one of the original air springs failing, so replaced them with OEM replacements. These were fitted without issue, re-pressurised and I have been driving the car for several thousand miles since, the suspension ride height is ok and the off road lift works fine – all looks fine.
The question I have, is that since replacing the air springs, the ride has been quite bouncy, it no longer has the confidence when cornering and generally feels like there is more vibration from the suspension set up.

Is this normal, is this what I should expect from new springs or is there something else I should consider, shocks, anti roll bar, SLS recalibration?

[Jimbo]

What's the mileage on the Disco ?

You may need to consider new shocks - I got mine replaced a few thousand miles ago, and it made a whole load of difference to the ride.

[boss]

yah, that sounds a little odd....our D2 has 2" lift and henious simex tyres and the ride is as smooth as ever! thats an old man emu lift (springs and dampers) from devon4x4 if you wanted to know ;)

[thermidorthelobster]

Air is air.  The springs themselves shouldn't affect the ride, it's what's in them that makes the difference, and presumably you haven't suddenly started using different air than before.

Try a decent set of gas charged shocks.  I'd go for Old Man Emu personally.

[Def90]

Thanks Guys,
As the ride was ok before the Air spring failed and all I had changed was the Air springs, my immediate thought was that the ride issues were related to the springs.  :-.
But the more I thought about it, I wasn't so sure that the springs were at fault, as they do what they should (ride hieght is ok / 2" lift works fine). Haven't checked the Anti Roll Bar, but see no reason as to why this should be at fault if it was ok before - So the shocks seem like a good bet. However, when I do the bounce test by pressing down on the rear bumper, the dampers stop the bounce pretty quickly. With 120k on the clock, the replacement of the springs may well of shown up the dampers being a little tied, so I reckon these are the next step - I'll check out the old man emu's and report back - Cheers :)

[stretchy]

 my steering on my disco was well ropey for ages I had just got used to it but recently due to a bit of offroading broke the steering damper so got a new one for like £15 and while I was fiting it took the trak rod of and boots and greased the ball joints and got all the crap out. drives like new now realy nice steering wich makes me wonder was the damper even working before I replaced it. maybe you could get it of and just check it to rule that out. not sure that would cause vibration thow ??

[Range Rover Blues]

Remember the air bags are made of rubber which hardens with age, they are reinforced like a tyre but chances are the new springs could be a bit bouncier

[Def90]

Thanks Guys,
Having recently serviced the old girl, I took the opportunity for a good poke around underneath - All look ok, Anti roll bar, shocks and springs. So I have continued to drive the Disco for a couple of thousand miles now and as you say, things have got better.   :D

So maybe I'm getting use to the car again or maybe the springs are bedding in  :-k- This said, I have pretty much decided that with a 120k under it's belt the shocks wouldn't hurt from replacement anyway, so reckon this is the next step when funds and time allow - Just need some recommendation as to which shocks to go for, stick with std LR parts or upgrade to some gas shocks - I hear good things of Terrafirma? - Any thoughts?

I am surprised though that the no one else has had a similar experience, as the symptoms were dramtic. The rear Air springs on a disco II are quite a common fix, but I haven't found any thread on any forum that would suggest someone has had the same experience.

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts/experiences of TD5 replacement shocks 8-[

[boss]

ours has old man emu dampers.......they are the muts nuts! you pay a little more but you defenatley get what you pay for!

[Range Rover Blues]

A lot of people replace the air spring that's true, but if your has a worn shocker then perhaps it's not as common to find yourself with new springs and worn out shocks.  I'd say that if they are still ok at 120 thousand though that replacing like for like is not a bad idea, unless you want to uprate the suspension.

[Spooky]

OME every time - not cheap, but they'll last through anything you can throw at them in this country!

[Def90]

An old thread now, but I have finally got the cash together to buy some shocks and the time to fit them. Got a full set of Terrafirma's, dampers and steering from Foundry 4x4. Excellent advise, prompt, safe delivery and of course a good price.

Fitted the dampers on Saturday, the back went on OK, found the now traditional difficulties of fitting the front drivers side to be all that legend had lead me to believe, but with a bit of swearing and a few scrapped knuckles, it fitted.

biggest difficulty was the last bolt holding the front damper into the axle, there appears to be a plate that can move between the bottom of the spring and the axle, trying to line the shock, axle, plate and get a spanner to the nut tested the patients of a saint

The end result - Well I would not have credited it, the old LR shocks had no resistance in them, they didn't try to extend themselves - although there was no sign of any oil leakage. I was in effect driving around with no damping at all. The new terrafirma shocks have made the car ride smoothly, give the confidence back in corners - in all a new car!