Forum:
My 1999 F78 rear suspension is very soft - it sags under minimal loading and I was wondering if I can get replacement coil springs that will give me a slight lift, as well as provide some much needed hardness. Any advice will be appreciated - e.g. replacing shock absorber, etc. It has been suggested to insert special airbags into the coils to provide more support - do these work?
Sounds like your springs are
Sounds like your springs are just tired, and need replacing.
If you think they're OK, you could try positive pressure gas shocks. These would lift the rear of the car fractionally, as well as stiffen the suspension slightly.
You can get 2" lift springs and heavy duty springs from various 4x4 soecialist's like Millner Off Road.
Any veiws expresed in this thread by me are purely from my own experience, and (sometimes) falible memory. Hope my comments help, but please don't take them as gospel.
Thanks
Thanks guys - I'll chat to Milners to see what they've got. Hopefully they will do mail order on these too.
Shock absorbers
Hi,
I have now replaced my rear coils with the stronger ones from Milners plus replaced all my bushes with polyurethane ones. I now need to replace all shocks and need advice on which to go for - any suggestions anyone? (Milners advertise a set - are these fine given I have the stronger coils?).
Thanks
Ross
reply
I replaced my Independent rear coil springs with some uprated ones from Milners 4x4 It now has the slight lift on the rear that your looking for.My shocks were ok,you can also uprate those as well if you need too.While your doing the job change the worn out rubber rear anti roll bar bushes for orange polyurethane ones also from Milners they do the job.STRM
New Shock Absorbers
Hi,
I have now replaced my rear coils with the stronger ones from Milners plus replaced all my bushes with polyurethane ones. I now need to replace all shocks and need advice on which to go for - any suggestions anyone? (Milners advertise a set - are these fine given I have the stronger coils?).
Thanks
Ross
Full Of Cold Air
Air bags are fitted to many commercial vehicles instead of springs and shock absorbers, these allow the ride height to be adjusted, within limits, and to compensate for load.
Air suspension comprises an airbag, usually polyurethane, and a piston, an onboard compressor supplies air to the airbags, under a pre set, or adjustable pressure.
Additional equipment would be an on board compressor to drive the air bags, and a pressure regulator, or controller, and all the pipes to the airbags, from the compressor.
Air bag suspension is not yet a viable option on 4X4's as the units deflate, and sit the suspension on the stops, making the vehicle look like a low rider.
pipework is prone to leaking, giving the same result, and the units will not stand the abrasive nature of off roading, or the impacts from loose debris, or things like branches, which are flicked into them.
My advice would be to avoid them totally, at the present time, and wait until more durable products enter the marketplace.
Common problems also surround the compressor unit, these are mainly electrically driven, and only supply a relatively small volume of air. Leaks tend to ensure the compressor is constantly driving, and the units burn out quickly.