GraemeS
Member Since: 17 Mar 2008
Location: NSW
Posts: 706
  
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Thanks again Ianv. I'll keep a watch out for your appraisal.
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 7th Sep 2010 1:16 pm |
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seank
Member Since: 09 Jun 2009
Location: Johannesburg
Posts: 24
  
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Stangely enough I had exactly the same issue with my Bilstein shocks. Back units are perfect - they carry the load i.e. draw system, long range fuel tank, rear wheel carrier etc without any of the bounce I had with the OEM shocks. The front's failed within a few months - also failed seals.
I am waiting for the replacement units to arrive from Germany (via Afrishox - South Africa) - hopefully they will be fine. I must also add that the shocks - when working - had a very similar ride quality to the OEM units but with much improved handling.
Cheers
Sean D3 TDV6 S - Silver
TT Remap
Bilstein Shocks
FrontRunner Roof Rack
National Luna Dual Charging System
Big Country Rear Wheel Carrier
Big Country Drawer System
BFG AT's
Long Range Fuel Tank
Last edited by seank on 23rd Sep 2010 3:45 pm. Edited 1 time in total
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| 9th Sep 2010 10:51 am |
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GraemeS
Member Since: 17 Mar 2008
Location: NSW
Posts: 706
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Thanks Sean.
At least the Bilsteins can be bought in pairs to try before full commitment.
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| 9th Sep 2010 9:00 pm |
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DiscoJools
Member Since: 31 Jan 2008
Location: Mornington Peninsula
Posts: 132
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My 05 D3 is up to 145000ks now and is still on the original dampers. They still work fine but are a bit noisy, a strange light knocking sound from the rear.. The fronts are fine. Done a few high country trips and a Simpson Desert trip. Also the car does on average 20 or 30 ks a day on the sometimes rough and corrogated dirt road from our house to the main road. I reckon that's pretty good. A mate of mine destroyed a brand new Hi Lux's dampers and springs on one trip to Cape York. Having heard varying reports about harshness from Bilstiens and Konis I will most likely fit LR dampers to mine when the time comes which won't be long. 2.7 D4 eDiff, Traxide Dual battery, Safari Snorkel...Opposite Lock winch bar..extra set 17" wheels with 245/70/17 BFG KM2 MTs..Warrior winch..Long range tank.
1982 2dr RRC renovated.
1983 Range Rover 2dr fitted with 300Tdi (with bigger turbo), 40mm body lift, Warn 9000i winch and BFG MT 265/75/16. Rear Maxidrive locker
1976 Landcruiser BJ40 with tipper body for the farm!!
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| 16th Sep 2010 3:49 am |
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GraemeS
Member Since: 17 Mar 2008
Location: NSW
Posts: 706
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Hi DiscoJools,
Hmm, so maybe back my original intention of using D3 shocks if I found the D4 too unsuitable - 145K kms with that use is very good! I'd like to know if they actually fit the D4 with its slightly-revised suspension components before buying a set, so perhaps I could pay the freight for you to send me your old ones to try.
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| 16th Sep 2010 9:11 am |
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ianv
Member Since: 20 Dec 2007
Location: Bungendore, New South Wales
Posts: 338
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OK,
A week has gone by and I am happy. Rebuilt front Bilstiens are now a good match for the rear. They are taut and supple and I expected they should have beeen at the start, slightly more control than the standard ones but not harsh.
I am now sure they had an issue from new and possibly it seems quite a few other front Bilstiens are not good.
 TDV6
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| 16th Sep 2010 9:22 am |
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PaulP
Member Since: 04 May 2007
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 4317
 
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Hi Ian,
That's good news - sorry for jumping in on the thread as I know it is mostly focused towards off-road driving, but I'm curious to know how the Bilsteins affect on-road handling.
I have shortened sensor rods and find that my D3 is a bit "floaty" and soft when cornering on the standard LR shocks...
Have you been able to notice much difference with regards to body roll in curves using the Bilsteins?
Cheers,
Paul 2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto Buckingham Blue
2007 Golf GT DSG
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| 16th Sep 2010 9:38 am |
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GraemeS
Member Since: 17 Mar 2008
Location: NSW
Posts: 706
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Thanks for the update Ianv.
I'd like to know what you think of my D4's ride and feel how your Bilsteins ride, so perhaps I could go for a drive your way one day for a comparison before deciding on what to fit.
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| 16th Sep 2010 10:01 am |
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ianv
Member Since: 20 Dec 2007
Location: Bungendore, New South Wales
Posts: 338
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Hi Paul and Graeme
On road is probably just a touch less body roll than new, one of the main symptoms of wear in the old shocks was that body roll had been increasing noticably so the improvment is welcome.
Graeme,
Happy to catch up and I believe you are in the region. I'll pm you some details.
Ianv TDV6
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| 16th Sep 2010 10:03 pm |
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GraemeS
Member Since: 17 Mar 2008
Location: NSW
Posts: 706
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Thanks Ianv. I'll wait until a bbar is fitted to see if that makes any difference although I doubt it.
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| 18th Sep 2010 12:12 pm |
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GraemeS
Member Since: 17 Mar 2008
Location: NSW
Posts: 706
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I've ordered a set of 2009 D3 shocks for my D4 as my priority is to have the smoothest ride possible for everyday unladen use. I hope they physically fit. I intend refitting the D4 rears for the occasional out-back trip where the vehicle will be loaded-up. I think the D4's will handle the load considerably better and the D3's will therefore last longer having not been subjected to extreme use.
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| 1st Oct 2010 11:18 am |
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avartis
Member Since: 21 Feb 2010
Location: Romania
Posts: 11
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I replaced the shocks on my Range Rover Sport 2006 with Bilsteins and the front ones failed within 3000 KM. Metal on metal noise and oil leaks.
Got the replacement on warranty and now after another 3000 KM this ones are failed too.
Anyone got a good experience with the front Bilstein shocks?
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| 18th Mar 2011 6:19 pm |
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PaulP
Member Since: 04 May 2007
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 4317
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avartis,
There's a guy on the Spanish forum that had the same thing happen after just 5000km with the Bilsteins.
They're sending him some replacements but I don't think he's going to fit them as he doesn't trust them.
Someone else fitted Koni dampers and has had a similar problem (I think - I'll have to check).
The guys over here are now investigating different options (mainly the Spyros ones and some custom-made separate bottle shock absorbers).
I'll let them know about your experience and put a link to your message 
Cheers,
Paul 2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto Buckingham Blue
2007 Golf GT DSG
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| 18th Mar 2011 6:55 pm |
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ianv
Member Since: 20 Dec 2007
Location: Bungendore, New South Wales
Posts: 338
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Hi the front bilsteins on my D3 failed after 10,000km I put it down to a once off and they were rebulit by the local distributor. 12,000km later they are useless again, the back ones seem fine still but I will get them tested.
I had thought of changing to the Koni but it sounds like they are problematic as well.
Where too now? back to standard i'd say, they went 120,000k
Ianv TDV6
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| 20th Mar 2011 8:02 am |
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GraemeS
Member Since: 17 Mar 2008
Location: NSW
Posts: 706
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My observations - D4 shocks are significantly firmer than D3 ones. Whilst D3 shocks get stiffer as they warm-up, the D4 ones get a lot stiffer and sooner. This might be good for loaded desert trips but not so good when empty on rough roads most of the time. As the rears were easy to swap, I'd expect to temporarily swap them back for the occasional trip. Home of LLAMS, for LRs and Jeep GCs
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| 20th Mar 2011 7:47 pm |
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