[krat]

Hi all,

I've had the 96 SWB Vit for a few months now and love it on the Beach, however , the ride over the rough stuff is a bit harsh.

I have taken a few photos of the springs and shocks which are obviously not stock units.

Any ideas whether it is lifted or are these just tougher suspension bits?

Thanks,

Kev.

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[DarkHorse]

I'd be surprised if anyone would replace the suspension and not get the normal 35ish mm lift. Not even sure if Ironman do a standard height kit, but if you can find some part numbers a dealer or website will be able to tell you.

[gregwatkins75]

Definatley lifted. 45mm Iron man kit...........at a very educated ( on the iron man stuff) guess.

The front coil is bent identically to what mine was.......probably done by the same quality mechanics that did mine originally..!


Seems if you dont take time to line the ends of the springs up with the correct seating position the springs bow out and give a harsher ride...........

I have learnt to take my springs in and out, and now each time I play with the suspension I now make sure I spend the extra time locating the springs fully into the seating positions........they don't bow out when you get it right, and the ride is so much better!!!!!!!!

[krat]

Thanks for the input guys.

All as expected, just wasn't sure if it was.
Next question, Is it simple to reseat the front springs to get rid of the bow and correct the harsh ride, and what damage may be going on if they stay as they are?

Thanks again,

Kev.

[DarkHorse]

Easy - jack front up and put chassis on stands. Remove wheels. Jack under front arm to take strain. Unclip brake line from strut. Unbolt swaybar and tie-rod. Unbolt strut lower bolts. Lower arm on jack until spring unseats. Rotate spring until the bottom end lines up with the nook on the spring seat - may need a good shake to get it unstuck from the top mount.

If the brake line gets taught before the spring comes free unclip it from the chassis mount near the top spring mount as well. If the arm won't fall enough for the spring to come free jack it back up a bit, tie the hub up to something so it's supported, remove the 3 bolts on the balljoint and then drop the arm. Worst case scenario you might have to unbolt/remove a CV.

Give it a crack, best way to learn.

Unlikely to be doing any real damage if they're not seated, will just ride higher, maybe not behave as well as they should.

[krat]

Thanks for the response DarkHorse.
It is great to get such a detailed instruction first up.
The Vit is located interstate where I normally beach fish so I will pack the stands and tools for the next trip and give it a crack.

Regards,
Kev.

[bailey08]

mine(terrain tamer) are seated properly and bow like that and is super soft ride. maybe cause I have some coild spacers on top.

[atari4x4]

all lifted springs will have some sort of bow in them due to the angle of the control arm. the angle of the lower spring seat once lifted is greater causing the springs to bow.

[krat]

OK, so maybe I need to just take a closer look to make sure the springs are not too far out of wack and re assess the ride comfort in various road and off road conditions before I start to dismantle.

Thanks for the added input.
Kev.