We have a 2007 HSE with about 80k on the clock, the shocks feel good when jounced but it seems to wallow quite a bit on the road. There is no abnormal tire wear & the sway bar links & bushes all look good, it has factory size tires at factory pressures & raising the pressure makes no improvement. The closest dealer is 2 hours away & closest shock tester is 3 hours away.
Any ideas before I fork out for 4 new shocks?

Cheers

I replaced my first set of shocks at 130,000 kms because I thought there was a problem, but it turned out to be a worn cv joint. I'm now on 273,000kms with the replacements and I've done a hell of a lot of rocky corrugated roads, a lot more than most people, and they seem fine. Vesko has 80,000 kms on his and he hasn't held back on them either. He hasn't mentioned a problem with them to me and we were on the rough stuff at Barrington Tops all weekend a few weeks ago.

Thanks for the info Mike, how would you rate the handling on the road? Ours seems to wallow or kind if tip diagonally at anything from round town to open road speeds, am I being too picky? Cheers

It's hard to give an opinion because everyone's take on handling seems to be different. Cars built to handle off road situations are always going to feel like they are wallowing compared to a car with tight sporty suspension. I've always been happy with my car's handling but I'm sure there are plenty who would prefer a firmer feel. Basically it just comes down to whether you feel like you are in control of the car in relation to the road surface and conditions. Keep in mind that it isn't a sports car and is much heavier with a higher centre of gravity.

Cheers Martin, I might start with a 4 wheel alignment & see if that helps.

I really need to go for a ride or drive in another one but I don't see many around here in Central Otago.

Thanks, Kevin

Any good NZ garage will tell you if you really need new shocks, no need to trail to a dealer IMO. If it passed the 6 month warrant its got to be OK (is it still 6 months ?). FL2 MY10 TD4 GS traded in at 2 years
FL2 MY13 TD4 GS Current

Yes it had a brand new warrant on it when we bought it but I don't have too much faith in car dealer warrants & this one doesn't even have the issuers stamp or name on it so it may not be up to VTNZ standards!
I really need to find another one to ride in to compare, Cheers

I don't know if you have Peddars Suspension shops in NZ but if you take any car there they will say you need new everything no matter what. Just my experience.

No we don't have then down my way at least but I hear what you are saying!

mikehzz wrote:

I don't know if you have Peddars Suspension shops in NZ but if you take any car there they will say you need new everything no matter what. Just my experience.

Hi all. Just my two pennys worth. I have just traded in a Jag xj40 and a Disco one for a FL2. The Jag would pass the WOF no problem every year but when you pushed it at 100kph over rolling bumps it would bottom out, I swapped the rear springs and shocks myself and the difference was huge. It had 183000 on the clock.

I also think my 2008 with 130k is due for some shocks. Any thoughts on brand options for Australia? Send to be limited choice and postage from UK is scary

My 08 has done 100,000 miles (160,000 kms) with no issues. Steve

2008 TD4 HSE Auto, Zermatt Silver

Hickm_au wrote:

I also think my 2008 with 130k is due for some shocks. Any thoughts on brand options for Australia? Send to be limited choice and postage from UK is scary

Health Warning.

Rear Shocks 2013 onward are different and cost much more. All to do with electronic handbrake brackets I think.

Changed mine (rears) at 66,000 miles but did not improve matters that much. May do fronts sometime. FL2 MY10 TD4 GS traded in at 2 years
FL2 MY13 TD4 GS Current