[CATS]

Ok

Some background first:
My 2001 LWB 3.2 Diesel Pajero now stands on 230 000km . I bought it at 80000km with Old Man Emu(OME) already fitted. I drove it like that up to 190 000km when I replaced all the coils and shocks with Ironman(IM). I was very happy with the OME but they were truly finished when I took them off. Pricewise to replace with OME again would cost double that of IM when I was at that point. My car is heavily modified with front ARB steel bumper, winch, extra tank, double battery in engine bay etc and all this obviously add weight. I have rear air suspension assist system which I use when hooking up the caravan. I tow an Xplorer caravan when going camping which is heavy. I live in a city and commute on tar roads every day to work and back. When I go away I try to take the less traveled road so often drive dirt roads with heavy loads when taking my breaks. I expect off road performance suspension kits to be able to sustain my use, otherwise I would just fit standard suspension with possibly spacer for slight lift. So my feedback must be seen given these circumstances!!.

Both OME and IM gave a lift of about 5cm from standard ride height when new. My OME coils has sagged back to about std (new coils) height over the period that I used it.

My IM setup has now done 40000km and the waranty has just expired.

After about 5000km of use the front shocks bushes was shot and was replaced by IM at no cost. 3000km later they again were shot and made terrible knocking noises on the front where the shocks touched the suspension components. IM refunded my money on the front shocks. They indicated that there was an upgrade planned for the Pajero, but this was not available, if at all believable. I replaced front shocks with OME (Heavy Duty) again, keeping the IM coils all round.
At about 36000 km of use the rear left shock started to make terrible noises and on inspection was found to be sticking on its up and downward movement. IM replaced left rear at no cost. Just under 4000km later(about 39800km of use) the right one has started to make the same noise as the left one, so also sticking. IM offered to replace even though this was about 200 or so km before warantee expire. On fitment it was found that the left rear one, which was replaced only about 4000km ago was leaking oil like crazy and this was also replaced. The coils front and rear still seem to be slightly compressed since original fitment height when fitted +-40000km ago, but still have lift better than standard.

My summary of Ironman shocks for the Pajero Gen3, given my setup and use as stated above:
EXCELENT Back up service with GREAT warantee but unfortunately a WEAK product itself as it does not live up to the marketing hype. Some other users have reported favourably on their IM setup since fitted, but my experience was not one to convince me to buy them again.

CATS
Use it dont use it.

[HBannink]

Sounds like a balanced unbiased opinion. Thanks for sharing

[LowRange]

............................. Some other users have reported favourably on their IM setup since fitted, but my experience was not one to convince me to buy them again.

CATS
Use it dont use it.

Well, I can honestly say that mine has now done around 95 000km and apart from replacing the front bushes at some point, I have had no issues. I suppose the shocks wil need replacement soon judging from the km's, although there's no sign as yet that its necessary.

My car is used in a similar way as yours, although I don't have a replacement bullbar with winch. (.......and I'll bet you a few beers my Xplorer weighs a lot more than yours, given SWAMBO's packing habbits! )


Johan

[CATS]

Well, I can honestly say that mine has now done around 95 000km and apart from replacing the front bushes at some point, I have had no issues. I suppose the shocks wil need replacement soon judging from the km's, although there's no sign as yet that its necessary.

My car is used in a similar way as yours, although I don't have a replacement bullbar with winch. (.......and I'll bet you a few beers my Xplorer weighs a lot more than yours, given SWAMBO's packing habbits! )


Johan

Don't bet on it, my SWAMBO is lucky she maried a man than can pack miticulously(sp? BIG WORD ) as I sometimes cant believe myself how I managed to get everything in. By the way, my rear shocks were pretty 'pap' when it was replaced at just under 40 000km, so I think you might be under an ilusion that yours is still in reasonable order.

CATS

[Hoffie]

CATS, I'm experiencing the same issues with my IM set-up. All the shocks are making knocking noises and the ride seems to be harder than directly after fitting. They are about 2 years old and 35000km (I think). I don't know the warranty terms, but if this problem keeps on happening I'd rather just buy OME shocks. Do you have issues with IM coils and OME shocks or should I replace both?

[CATS]

CATS, I'm experiencing the same issues with my IM set-up. All the shocks are making knocking noises and the ride seems to be harder than directly after fitting. They are about 2 years old and 35000km (I think). I don't know the warranty terms, but if this problem keeps on happening I'd rather just buy OME shocks. Do you have issues with IM coils and OME shocks or should I replace both?

Hoffie

I have no problems that I can report with the mixed setup that I currently have with IM coils and OME shocks. They seem to work well enough together without any suspension noises.

CATS

[JohanV]

CATS, I'm experiencing the same issues with my IM set-up. All the shocks are making knocking noises and the ride seems to be harder than directly after fitting. They are about 2 years old and 35000km (I think). I don't know the warranty terms, but if this problem keeps on happening I'd rather just buy OME shocks. Do you have issues with IM coils and OME shocks or should I replace both?

Hoffie

I have no problems that I can report with the mixed setup that I currently have with IM coils and OME shocks. They seem to work well enough together without any suspension noises.

CATS

Cats,

you running IM Coils and OME shocks, what about OME coils and IM shocks?

i am looking to replace my shocks as they seem shot. but was informed that the OME coils currently on is still good. any advices as to stay with OME shocks or go for IM shocks and leave the OME coils on.

[Hoffie]

Hoffie

I have no problems that I can report with the mixed setup that I currently have with IM coils and OME shocks. They seem to work well enough together without any suspension noises.

CATS

Thanks for the reply. I won't be using IM shocks again, but the coils seem fine with the air helpers(no drop in ride height). The shocks didn't even work hard, 2009 to the Richtersveld and a mostly tarmac trip last year to Caprivi and northern Bots. The OME on my Jeep Sahara is brilliant and this thing is my donga warrior, should have fitted OME on the Gen3 in the first place. Skoolgeld betaal meneer.

[CATS]

CATS, I'm experiencing the same issues with my IM set-up. All the shocks are making knocking noises and the ride seems to be harder than directly after fitting. They are about 2 years old and 35000km (I think). I don't know the warranty terms, but if this problem keeps on happening I'd rather just buy OME shocks. Do you have issues with IM coils and OME shocks or should I replace both?

Hoffie

I have no problems that I can report with the mixed setup that I currently have with IM coils and OME shocks. They seem to work well enough together without any suspension noises.

CATS

Cats,

you running IM Coils and OME shocks, what about OME coils and IM shocks?

i am looking to replace my shocks as they seem shot. but was informed that the OME coils currently on is still good. any advices as to stay with OME shocks or go for IM shocks and leave the OME coils on.

Johan

The IM shocks are the weak link unfortunately. This is as per my experience and some other reported cases. The coils seems to work well. If one think about it: A coil is easy enough to manufacture with the correct grade steel and thickness all is done. The shock is where the magic lies and needs a whole lot more engineering to keep it working properly for long periods over different terrain and under extreme heat.

I would not go back to IM shocks given my personal experience.

CATS