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Suspension height and ride quality
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alex0264
 


Member Since: 16 Apr 2012
Location: Taunton
Posts: 113

United Kingdom 2016 Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 HSE Lux Auto Scotia GreyDiscovery 4
Suspension height and ride quality

Hello all

I recently spent a significant amount of money having both upper and lower wishbones, front and back replaced on my D4. Whilst the road behaviour of the car and handling etc. have improved considerably, the ride has not (and if anything got worse). This is probably due to the fact the components were 3rd party and not genuine, but really the ride is too firm for this car (and I've done well over 1500 miles in it since the work). I did notice the other day that at normal height my car seemed to have quite a gap between the tyre and the top of the arch. This compared with another one I saw parked up nearby did look like there was a noticeable difference.

With the above in mind I'm thinking I need to get the car booked in and have the suspension calibrated. I know if you drive a short distance in these with the suspension in off road mode, the ride is quite harsh, so my thinking is that it just needs calibrating. What are peoples thoughts on this, is this a good place to start? I guess there is also the possibility that changing the wishbones has highlighted that the shocks / air springs are probably getting tired too (just approaching 129k??).

Thanks
  
Post #225121714th Sep 2021 8:46 am
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Kenny57
 


Member Since: 12 Apr 2020
Location: Essex
Posts: 169

United Kingdom 2007 Discovery 3 TDV6 Base 7 Seat Auto Java BlackDiscovery 3

Hi Alex0264,

for sure recalibrating the ride height is important after any major suspension work, its only a ten minute job with the right kit. If the car hasn't settled back to its normal height then it might suggest they haven't done basic stuff like tightening the suspension bolts with the full weight of the car on them. They should also have done a full 4 wheel alignment. Any of these not done correctly can affect ride quality. Perhaps before spending more money on new rams or the like, you might investigate a little more what's been done and why the ride height might have changed and report back. There are plenty people on here (way more expert than me) who will happily help you get to bottom of your ride issues... and for free!

Cheers,
Ken
  
Post #225134414th Sep 2021 8:28 pm
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alex0264
 


Member Since: 16 Apr 2012
Location: Taunton
Posts: 113

United Kingdom 2016 Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 HSE Lux Auto Scotia GreyDiscovery 4

Thanks Ken, any replies are much appreciated.

I can confirm that 4 wheel alignment was carried out once the work was complete. I'm thinking it would be wise to look at the ride height as the next port of call. I'm assuming this would be around an hour's labour to do?

If needed I can take photos and / or measure the gap between arch and wheel, if that helps at all.

P.s. tyre pressures are all OK

Thanks
Alex
  
Post #225135314th Sep 2021 9:04 pm
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Admirable
 


Member Since: 19 Jul 2015
Location: Fife
Posts: 1007

Ukraine 2007 Discovery 3 TDV6 XS Auto Zermatt SilverDiscovery 3

Poly bushes or normal?
  
Post #225138515th Sep 2021 6:00 am
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lynalldiscovery
 


Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274

United Kingdom 2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 Metropolis LE Auto Bonatti GreyDiscovery 3

What size wheel/tyres?
  
Post #225139215th Sep 2021 6:40 am
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alex0264
 


Member Since: 16 Apr 2012
Location: Taunton
Posts: 113

United Kingdom 2016 Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 HSE Lux Auto Scotia GreyDiscovery 4

To the best of my knowledge after 'Googling' the part numbers, I don't think they're poly bushes. I really hope not as I had poly bushes put on the front lower arms on my D3, and they were shocking.

Wheels are standard 20" with tyres 255/50 or 55/20?? Obviously bigger wheels are always going to make matters worse, but the ride definitely wasn't quite so harsh pre-suspension work.

I remember years ago there was an issue where Goodyear Wranglers ended up with the tyre going hard (I'm sure it was something like that)? Are there any other tyres known for doing that? The tyres I've got are less than two years old (not Goodyear).
  
Post #225140015th Sep 2021 7:36 am
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M3DPO
 


Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8043

England 2014 Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 HSE Lux Auto Corris GreyDiscovery 4

Measure the distance from the centre of wheel vertical to to bottom of mudguard front and rear, report back and we will tell you I they are ok.
As Kenny says I would ask the question about at what stage the arms where locked up, they must be locked up while the weight of the car is on them, if not you will get a hard ride and premature failure of the bushes.
Worn suspension components will always give a softer ride and a lower ride height if not adjusted to compensate, this may be why the other car you compared it with was lower.
 It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't. 
 
Post #225140515th Sep 2021 7:58 am
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alex0264
 


Member Since: 16 Apr 2012
Location: Taunton
Posts: 113

United Kingdom 2016 Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 HSE Lux Auto Scotia GreyDiscovery 4

I'm going to take these measurements over the weekend. Out of interest does it make much difference that some of the parts fitted are for a D3, or are they more or less the same?
  
Post #225197217th Sep 2021 9:21 pm
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M3DPO
 


Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8043

England 2014 Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 HSE Lux Auto Corris GreyDiscovery 4

Some components have been beefed up slightly on the D4, although they may fit they may have a shorter life.
 It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't. 
 
Post #225199018th Sep 2021 7:51 am
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alex0264
 


Member Since: 16 Apr 2012
Location: Taunton
Posts: 113

United Kingdom 2016 Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 HSE Lux Auto Scotia GreyDiscovery 4

Just to confirm... As I don't have mud flaps please see attached photo showing what I'm thinking you want me to measure, so effectively in my case for the rear wheel, centre to edge of bumper?
  
Post #225225019th Sep 2021 3:44 pm
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alex0264
 


Member Since: 16 Apr 2012
Location: Taunton
Posts: 113

United Kingdom 2016 Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 HSE Lux Auto Scotia GreyDiscovery 4

Sorry for some reason the photo isn't showing, but you can view it in my gallery.

Also, what are the smallest wheels that will fit this car? Thinking that may also help as these 255 50 20 don't offer much cushioning!

Thanks
  
Post #225225119th Sep 2021 3:45 pm
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Kenny57
 


Member Since: 12 Apr 2020
Location: Essex
Posts: 169

United Kingdom 2007 Discovery 3 TDV6 Base 7 Seat Auto Java BlackDiscovery 3

Can't see a photo in you're gallery, but M3DPO means the vertical distance from the centre of the wheel to the underside of the plastic wheel arch at the outer edge. On level ground they should be roughly the same each side and slightly higher at the rear than the front. Don't worry if they're a bit out from each other, the car allows for +/- 10mm variation on each wheel before it self corrects.

I have a D3 so not sure min. rim size on a D4. Believe its 18" but someone will hopefully confirm.
  
Post #225236920th Sep 2021 6:37 am
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M3DPO
 


Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8043

England 2014 Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 HSE Lux Auto Corris GreyDiscovery 4

alex0264 wrote:
Just to confirm... As I don't have mud flaps please see attached photo showing what I'm thinking you want me to measure, so effectively in my case for the rear wheel, centre to edge of bumper?



Click image to enlarge
 It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't. 
 
Post #225240720th Sep 2021 9:13 am
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alex0264
 


Member Since: 16 Apr 2012
Location: Taunton
Posts: 113

United Kingdom 2016 Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 HSE Lux Auto Scotia GreyDiscovery 4

As requested, the measurements are as follows.

OSR - 500MM
OSF - 490MM
NSR - 480MM
NSF - 480MM

Thanks
  
Post #225271821st Sep 2021 9:02 pm
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alex0264
 


Member Since: 16 Apr 2012
Location: Taunton
Posts: 113

United Kingdom 2016 Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 HSE Lux Auto Scotia GreyDiscovery 4

Just to follow up on this, I've taken a look at the parts that were used.

Front lower arms - LVS1224/1225 Motaquip
Front nearside upper - TC3030 Delphi
Front offside upper - FCA7080 First Line
Rear nearside upper - LVSA1890 Motaquip (listed as a part for a D3, not D4)
Rear offside upper - LVSA1891 Motaquip (as per N/S/R upper)
Rear nearside lower - SS9226 FAI Autoparts
Rear offside lower - SS9227 FAI Autoparts

Not sure if anyone has any experience with these parts? All I know is that each time I drive the car I just feel more disappointed!
  
Post #22554835th Oct 2021 1:45 pm
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