Rear spring dislocation?

[terryjm1]

Well, there was one negative outcome from yesterdays off road test run. See the attached photo. When I purchased this D1 the rear sway bar had already been removed.

The springs are one of the few things in the suspension I haven’t removed/installed. I am also pretty sure this D1 was worked on by high school auto shop students. The owner previous to the one I purchased from was an auto shop teacher. It is the same one that had the axle shaft seals installed backwards as well as some other started and not completed work on the suspension. The owner I purchased from didn’t do much more than hold onto it and lost interest.

What are the solutions to keep this from happening again?

 

[kris812]

At first I put some (2each) hose clamps on to hold the springs to the top perch. Surprisingly they held on until I removed them! I finally ordered some of the short TF dislocation comes. I keep both my swaybars on, and only remove the rear whenever I go desert crawling.

To note, these are a LOT easier to install without the rear AC lines in the way! They can be Beat-In with the bolt inside the plate without removing the frame or anything.

I also strapped the isolator to the top of my springs with metal zip ties. So they stay on and I don't loose them on disconnects.

Terrafirma Rear Spring Dislocation Cones Set of 2

We have a Brand New Set of 2 Terrafirma Rear Spring Dislocation Cones. Fits: Discovery I | '94 - '99 Range Rover Classic | '87 - '95 Defender 90 | '94 - '97 Part Number: TF510 FREE SHIPPING TO THE LOWER 48!

lucky8llc.com

 

[luckyjoe]

In my D1 I preferred upper/lower spring retainers. Pretty simply to install and much better ride than sliding/clanking springs.

 

[terryjm1]

I drove the short distance to my shop to jack it up and push the spring back in place. Well, it turns out it was more than just an out of place spring. The shock broke. It must have just by chance landed back in the right place as I grabbed it when I first found the out of place spring and it didn’t move laterally. I have had a pair of new rear shocks of unknown manufacturer for a couple years I almost sent to the metal recycler a couple times. They came with a parts D1 thrown in the cargo area. To get me by I installed one of them. They are missing the boots/bellows but I got the Bilstein one installed from the broken shock.

I don’t know who manaufactued them but they are made in Japan which has to be better than China. They are really stiff. Same length as the bilsteins as well. I will, at least temporarily install the other one when I have a little more time.

 

[kris812]

FYI, the TF installation instructions for my +50mm shocks said to remove the lower bushing cone's on the Axle. At least that is what I understood it as. Apparently when on full extension (or added extension) the lower shock mount and shaft can Bind on the cones and break your shock. I did some testing with the spring out and it got too close for my comfort so I chiseled the CUPS or bushing cones off the axle.

From the looks of your pictures it looks like the TOP mount broke off. That can be from the Washers being installed backwards (cup out, not allowing movement), or the rubber was old and hard, and binded there. Or it just 'went for its final ride' and was begging for replacement.

 

[terryjm1]

Either the threads stripped out of the top or the shaft, maybe a bit of both. . i didn’t buy these Bilsteins and as they are the same length as the 2 of unknown origin, I’m thinking they may be too short for the lift. Looks like I need to find some new extended shocks. I did have the washers on the correct way but the bottom cone is still there. When I replace the shocks I will remove it as it is pretty tight.

Also, I did an internet search of the unknown replacement shock. It comes up as a KYB for a 90s Toyota. The reviews spoke to how stiff they are which I can agree with. Interesting… it fits! I may just run them for a while and see what happens.

 

[Frobisher]

You may already know this, but these let you use standard shocks on a 2” lift. You can also get matching towers for the front.

Lowered Rear Top Shock Mounts Set of 2 Terrafirma

We have a New Terrafirma Lowered Rear Top Shock Mounts Set of 2. Fits: Discovery I 94 - 99 Range Rover Classic 87 - 95 Defender 90 94 - 97 Part Number: TF512 FREE SHIPPING TO THE LOWER 48!

lucky8llc.com

 

[discostew]

You may already know this, but these let you use standard shocks on a 2” lift. You can also get matching towers for the front.

Lowered Rear Top Shock Mounts Set of 2 Terrafirma

We have a New Terrafirma Lowered Rear Top Shock Mounts Set of 2. Fits: Discovery I 94 - 99 Range Rover Classic 87 - 95 Defender 90 94 - 97 Part Number: TF512 FREE SHIPPING TO THE LOWER 48!

lucky8llc.com

But his shocks are too long already. The shock should have stopped his axle from dropping before the spring came off the seat. But with the cones he could run those to get a little more articulation

 

[Frobisher]

I was thinking about his point of the one pair being too short, but maybe they’re not the ones that broke.

 

[terryjm1]

I ordered the dislocation cones and am going to give the KYB shocks a try as well. What do I have to lose? I almost scrapped them. Also, the only complaint from the Toyota folks is the ride is harsh but that was a small percentage and I’d guess those complaints were from pick up drivers… light weight on the rear axle. . They seem to be a popular choice in the Land Cruiser crowd.

Also, on the front, I think the sway bar keeps the front springs from having issues. When I was testing out the relocation of the steering damper I jacked up the front to achieve full extension and compression on each side and they were fine.

 

[p m]

Hose clamps get cut by the compressing coils at the first hard bottoming-out.

Either cones or proper retainers - ExpeditionExchange had really well-designed and made top spring retainers, or... properly sized shocks or/and retaining straps.
Alternatively, THIS should always be in your truck.

 

[terryjm1]

Following up on this, I installed the dislocation cones. They are terrafirma and seem just fine. It is a pretty simple kit, hard to mess up. I also am using the KYB Toyota shocks, I went on fairly rough test run. Everything survived and worked quite well, However, what the Toyota people said was correct. It is a harder ride, they are stiff.

 

[discostew]

Well, there was one negative outcome from yesterdays off road test run. See the attached photo. When I purchased this D1 the rear sway bar had already been removed.View attachment 64832View attachment 64833

The springs are one of the few things in the suspension I haven’t removed/installed. I am also pretty sure this D1 was worked on by high school auto shop students. The owner previous to the one I purchased from was an auto shop teacher. It is the same one that had the axle shaft seals installed backwards as well as some other started and not completed work on the suspension. The owner I purchased from didn’t do much more than hold onto it and lost interest.

What are the solutions to keep this from happening again?

Nice.

 

[fishEH]

Upper retained and lower cones. 315/75/16 for ref.