Member Since: 15 Feb 2006
Location: Kyalami
Posts: 2059
Rear suspension too soft when towing/carrying 7 + luggage
Recently we have had the opportunity to travel quite a bit, and we will either be towing a bundu (off-road) trailer or carrying 6-7 pax with luggage and all.
In this situation, whilst the air suspension keeps the level correct, the rear end seems to be quite bouncy, almost as if the dampers have failed or aren't up to the job. Eg, travelling along at about 70-80kmh on a fairly good road, hit a mild bump and the rear end takes 2 or more bounces to settle. the front just seems to absorb any bump and settle immediately.
I searched the forum, but can't find any reference to a soft rear, only the complaint about the suspension being too firm after the VEP, which we have allegedly had done. (must say I experienced no difference, but then don't drive the D3 daily)
Anyone got any advice before I drag myself off to the dealayer?
12th Jan 2007 7:38 am
catweasel
Member Since: 05 May 2006
Location: Bundaleer
Posts: 4805
I've towed my camper (1.6 ton loaded) with 4 passengers and gear in the back and notice no difference ( have to check it's still there so to speak) and the only difference I find is that it handles corrugations much better with the extra weight and over cattle grids at speed there is no difference in bounce, with or without the camper.
12th Jan 2007 8:15 am
Barn1e D3 Decade
Member Since: 28 Aug 2006
Location: Mid-sussex
Posts: 2021
With a caravan at 1.8t, kayaks on roof, 4 bikes on tow bar, and the family and three weeks camping gear in the back, mine handles like a dream. In fact, in terms of smoothness of ride, it is probably better than unladen - just slower and not quite so direct around corners.2005, TDV6 S, Auto, 190k miles, owned from new, V8 Brake Upgrade, Nancom Evo, RLD protector, BAS EGR blanking & Remap, separate ATF cooler, changing all the fluids ahead of time.
13th Jan 2007 10:41 pm
SN
Member Since: 03 Jan 2006
Location: Romiley
Posts: 13710
Re: Rear suspension too soft when towing/carrying 7 + luggag
Baben wrote:
but can't find any reference to a soft rear
Hmmh you might be looking on the wrong kind of website... Steve N | 21MY Defender | 08MY Discovery 3 (history) | 06MY Discovery 3 (ancient history)
13th Jan 2007 10:43 pm
caverD3
Member Since: 02 Jul 2006
Location: Oberon, NSW
Posts: 6922
I seem to remember, a review stated the damping was poor under high loads on rough roads.
This does not appear to be the experience of everyone. I have not experienced any issues but I have not had it loaded up yet.
I did notice that when the coolant bottle sensor issue came up and the light come on, the suspension appeared soft and it took longer for the front to settle after stopping.
Is the damping controlled by software or is it fixed?
When searching I found this about the air springs.
They supply the batteries and the cruise control too!
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories....amp;EDATE=“There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely gamesâ€
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14th Jan 2007 6:17 am
Baben
Member Since: 15 Feb 2006
Location: Kyalami
Posts: 2059
Thanks guys, sounds to me like there may be a problem then . Will book it in, and let you know what happens
15th Jan 2007 5:26 am
ronp
Member Since: 29 Nov 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 15272
Not a fix and I'm sure you've already done it ..increasing the rear tyre pressures. [rears only] should go up from 2.5bar/36psi to 2.9bar/42psi....... always on the road less travelled 🚧
< ‘tis but a mere scratch …….. it’ll polish out.
15th Jan 2007 1:39 pm
Baben
Member Since: 15 Feb 2006
Location: Kyalami
Posts: 2059
With a full load like that I always run 2.9kpa at the rear, so they would be at close to max pressure anyway. On the phone to the dealer now. Will prolly take 2 weeks for them to see the car if I'm not lucky
15th Jan 2007 1:47 pm
Baben
Member Since: 15 Feb 2006
Location: Kyalami
Posts: 2059
Dealer says "...it definitely sounds like a damper problem. How much off-road driving have you done?"
Sending it in Monday, which I guess is not bad, considering its not an emergency. Will let y'all know. Apparently warranty will cover it if it turns out to be dampers.
Enquired about any updated dampers available, answer was "not that I am aware of, Sir"
15th Jan 2007 1:56 pm
Baben
Member Since: 15 Feb 2006
Location: Kyalami
Posts: 2059
A report-back:
Sent the vehicle in for inspection. After a bit of discussion, demonstration & pursuasion, which included driving around with a few bemused technical staff in the back seats, the prognosis is the rear damper/airbags need replacing.
The very helpful techies at the dealer phoned up LR and got agreement to send the parts in.
She goes in (hopefully) before the weekend.
Actually my missus was complaining tonight that the D3 sways a bit in the wind, and feels "a bit squishy in the rear" (verbatim) so it seems like it has gotten worse in the interim. Checked the tyres and they are fine, and 2.5 (empty vehicle)
Will let you know how it feels when it comes back. Hopefully nice and firm, like Mrs. Baben is used to.....
6th Feb 2007 8:26 pm
Baben
Member Since: 15 Feb 2006
Location: Kyalami
Posts: 2059
OK, got the new rear suspension units fitted on Friday. Feels supple but under control, especially at high speed. Took the boys out to a relative's farm for a weekend of fishing, kite-flying, cricket and eating, and drove around a bit on the green. All OK, thanks Land Rover.
But........on the way home, as we hit the tarred road, and accelerated we get the "engine system failure" warning, and complete loss of power.
Reset the vehicle, and tried again, as long as you accelerate sedately, all is OK. She's at the delayer now.
12th Feb 2007 9:49 am
Baben
Member Since: 15 Feb 2006
Location: Kyalami
Posts: 2059
Turns out to be a blocked fuel filter.
All sorted out. Thanks LR
Must be some crappy fuel at one of the filling stations in SA.
Glad to hear everything worked out in the end. A rare success story for Land Rover dealers. Arctic Frost RR Sport. TDV6 SE. Aspen Leather, Tow pack, PTI, Privacy Glass, Tasmods, Mudflaps & a RRSport umbrella in the boot.
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13th Feb 2007 5:29 pm
Haggis
Member Since: 26 Jun 2006
Location: Sydney
Posts: 126
I reckon they are under damped with a load and on long fast gravel (corrugated) sections. I have a110l aux fuel tank, Kaymar twin wheel carrier and lots of gear in the back under these circumstances (so probably higher than average loads). Self-levels OK, but could do with more damping.
In my case I don't believe it is a fault (like Baben seems to have had). If there was an after-market option for 'harder' dampers I'd probably give them a go. As it is I just get used to a more wallowy(?) ride than I prefer. To be fair my previous car was a HiPo Falcoon (BA GT-P), and so it could be more preference than fault.D3 (06) SE TDV6, Rear Locker, Rear Air, ARB bar w/winch, Safari Snorkel, 110l aux fuel tank, Kaymar rear bar (twin wheel carrier), Black Widow rear storage system, Rhino rack, GME UHF, Codan HF, IPF HID lights, CSA Explorer 17" w/BFG Mud Terrain KM2 - see Australian 4WD Monthly #103
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