| Author | Message | ||
     Dave Van Haren (Plain2000dii) New Member Username: Plain2000dii Post Number: 7 Registered: 05-2003 |
After reading the swerving disco thread, it got me thinking that my D2 with 45K on it probably would benefit from new shocks. Am I right that it doesn't have struts in front? If so do the shocks just drop out the bottom or do I have to remove the spring? Rears are easy enough. So, OEM, OME, XYZ which shocks are best for general use and occassional towing? | ||
| Jorge D. Hinojos (Tenoch) New Member Username: Tenoch Post Number: 36 Registered: 02-2003 |
Guys, On related issue, I Recently changed my tires because they wore out on the adges in a very funny way. some one told me that this was due to bad springs/shocks. my disco has 72k miles..do you guys think that bad shocks/springs will make the tires go bad? | ||
| Dave Van Haren (Plain2000dii) New Member Username: Plain2000dii Post Number: 8 Registered: 05-2003 |
Jorge, If you got 72K on a set of Goodyears stop complaining. And yes worn shocks, among other things, will allow a tire to wear unevenly. Springs generally do not wear out. I just replaced the GY Wrangler's @45k with Michelin, the GY's were all cupped and worn and noisy and well.. | ||
| Chris Marcel (Gumarcel) Senior Member Username: Gumarcel Post Number: 400 Registered: 11-2002 |
Jorge that is just another reason to lift it  | ||
| Eric Pena (Evalp) Senior Member Username: Evalp Post Number: 520 Registered: 06-2002 |
Dave, search the archives on suspension mods, there are a few options and it is up to your prefrence, however, I have OME HD springs and shocks and I can't be happier with them. Good ride on road and good off road and with the HD's you can load more on them with out major saging. Fronts require spring removal as the shocks sit inside the spring and extend into the shock tower. I would go the extra mile, if you can, and replace the springs and shocks together. | ||
| Jorge D. Hinojos (Tenoch) New Member Username: Tenoch Post Number: 37 Registered: 02-2003 |
Chris, Pardon my ignorance but how will the lift help? the reason I asked is because I recently purchased a new set of tires and I would like to do some prevention before is too late! | ||
| Tom Fioretti (Tom_in_md) Member Username: Tom_in_md Post Number: 44 Registered: 02-2003 |
Worn or bad shocks will ruin your tires. You can remove the fronts by removing the bottom nut, then remove the 4 nuts that hold the shock tower in place, up top. Lift out the whole assembly and remove the shock from the tower on a bench. Hardest part is the bottom nut because the shock body wants to spin. Hold it still with a small strap wrench. | ||
| gp (Garrett) Senior Member Username: Garrett Post Number: 2103 Registered: 10-2001 |
dave. check the 'tech' section above for the shock/spring install. with the proper tools it can be done in an few hours. springs do and can wear out over time, along with shocks. i put new springs/shocks on my girlfriends D2 with 45K on it and it made a noticable difference. the stock woodheads that came on your truck work just fine, but like anything else there is always room for improvement. | ||
| Dave Van Haren (Plain2000dii) New Member Username: Plain2000dii Post Number: 9 Registered: 05-2003 |
Garrett, Thanks for the feed back. I don't "need" to raise the truck, but am open to improved handling, which springs did you use? any lift? My D2 is mostly a road go'er(yea, yea, I know, get a life) But I do Auto cross a Porsche so that kinda makes up for not getting muddy. | ||
| chris sharpe (Bromhead) New Member Username: Bromhead Post Number: 33 Registered: 02-2003 |
Dave, I just installed OME HD shocks and springs on my D1 last Saturday. Wasnt difficult at all, just took some time. The new look of the car and the handling on road is vastly improved. I'll find out about how she handles off road this Friday. I also use my car primarily on the road and was inititaly concerned that perhaps I was over doing it for my needs. While its only been 3 days since I did the lift, those concerns seem to be completely unwarranted. This is how the truck should have been sold in the first place! | ||
| Scion_of_lucas (Scion_of_lucas) New Member Username: Scion_of_lucas Post Number: 5 Registered: 03-2003 |
A couple tips from practical experience (96 D1): * Get the biggest axle stands that you can find, get 'em big enough and you won't need to rent/buy a spring compressor (un-do your antisway bars first). * 1, 2 or more of the bolts on the front shock tower ring WILL break/shear off. The nuts tend to rust solid. Get 2 new ones or take your chances. * The OME springs are handed-pay attention! * Go ahead and put on a new steering stabilizer while you're at it. | ||
| Carter Simcoe (Carter) Senior Member Username: Carter Post Number: 505 Registered: 04-2002 |
*Buy the OME spings from someone who knows what they are doing and they are NOT handed | ||
| Scion_of_lucas (Scion_of_lucas) New Member Username: Scion_of_lucas Post Number: 6 Registered: 03-2003 |
The ones I purchased/installed were handed. Each one had a little paper sticker on it indicating it's position. | ||
| chris sharpe (Bromhead) New Member Username: Bromhead Post Number: 36 Registered: 02-2003 |
having extra bolts for the shock tower is GREAT advice, or do it early on Sat and live near a hardware store! I might also add to be carefull with the bolts/nuts that you use to re attach the rear upper shock mounts. IIRC, they look the same, but some are fine threaded and some are coarse. I screwed up, semi stripped the screw and had to buy a die set and do a bit of rethreading. It worked fine, but it wasted alot of time... | ||
| Eric Pena (Evalp) Senior Member Username: Evalp Post Number: 525 Registered: 06-2002 |
Yes, but if you buy them form someone who knows what they are doing they can sell you the parts you need for your taste, regardless of what 'side they are labeled' to be on. | ||
| Carter Simcoe (Carter) Senior Member Username: Carter Post Number: 506 Registered: 04-2002 |
You bought them from the wrong place then | ||
| Eric Pena (Evalp) Senior Member Username: Evalp Post Number: 527 Registered: 06-2002 |
I would hope John and Ho knows what he is doing. | ||
| Scion_of_lucas (Scion_of_lucas) New Member Username: Scion_of_lucas Post Number: 7 Registered: 03-2003 |
True Eric & Carter, you can install them however you want to, the possibilities are truly endless for the spring cogniscenti. I assumed Dave was doing a straighforward (he indicated general use and towing)install and the fact that they ARE handed by OME might be of service to him. The only way you can buy them at "the wrong place" is if you pay too much for 'em and have to give the guy a reach around for doing so. | ||
| Carter Simcoe (Carter) Senior Member Username: Carter Post Number: 507 Registered: 04-2002 |
I'm just teasing you, by 'the wrong place' I mean a place where they sell them in handed sets. Some vendors (like EE, and I belive Nathan @ discount rovers -not sure about that one though I am sure he would if you request it) sell matched sets as in two rights or two lefts, this eliminates the tilting you will no doubt be experienceing very soon. | ||
| Eric Pena (Evalp) Senior Member Username: Evalp Post Number: 529 Registered: 06-2002 |
Do you know why thay are handed? Doesn’t seem to me that it is that big af a deal. EE was the cheapist I found at the time. | ||
| Scion_of_lucas (Scion_of_lucas) New Member Username: Scion_of_lucas Post Number: 8 Registered: 03-2003 |
Gotcha...you mean there are unscrupulous merchants out there waiting to fleece unsuspecting idiots with fistfulls of cash. Point taken- Dave, do your homework. | ||
| Carter Simcoe (Carter) Senior Member Username: Carter Post Number: 508 Registered: 04-2002 |
Yeah, notice how they sell those 'trim packers' or whatever they call them and advertise them as being needed to fix leaning vehicles.... Yet they sell handed springs, seems they are making lots of money on leaning trucks LOL | ||
| michael burt (Mikeyb) Member Username: Mikeyb Post Number: 230 Registered: 03-2002 |
they are handed to overcome "fatass." since no one here is a fatass, we buy matched springs from EE. ;) | ||
| Dave Van Haren (Plain2000dii) New Member Username: Plain2000dii Post Number: 10 Registered: 05-2003 |
Well Yehaa! You guys sure like to talk springs. But really I'm only interested in new shocks. Found some Bilstien's from performance center for $72 each. probably go with'em. This whole thing about handed springs is interesting though, I've never heard of this on any other vehicle, is it specific to Rover? Are they built on a tilt just so you can buy "handed" springs? Thanks to everyone for your input.. | ||
| michael burt (Mikeyb) Member Username: Mikeyb Post Number: 231 Registered: 03-2002 |
i just put in some ome shocks (and springs!)(boy i like springs!)...;) i have to say that even with only 29500 miles on the truck (so i would hardly call my old ones worn out)(or even old), the difference is easy to spot. i agree with chris' comments above. so far (after 2 hours!) i am very pleased. so maybe shocks will do for your needs, but i would consider springs... john lee and expedition exchange might be able to find you a set that offers a very small increase in height, but a big increase in stability...especially while towing... good luck... |
