Anton... So many things to be said... but I will try to be as constructive as possible.
I would recommend you go visit Mikem suspensions in the Jhb city centre. They should be able to diagnose the suspension issue you are having. In addition (and no offense meant to the OME clan) they will give you a much better value for money suspension change (I say change as I don't believe there is anything wrong with the standard suspension). They make their own progressive coils which you can ask for "softer" ride. My understanding is that the shock is not responsible for the ride stiffness (excluding struts but definitely not on rear shocks). It simply controls the rebound - if you're feeling the ride is too harsh, then it's more a coil issue.
If you do need new shocks, they can also supply you with Bilstein shocks (serviceable, and will probably be the last shocks you buy for that vehicle).
As has been said before, there is either something wrong on your vehicle, or you are interpreting the more cabin noise and higher vibration due to the monocoque chassis as a harder suspension. I have driven in many a bakkie (triton, hilux and amarok) as well as defenders, and you can simply not compare the ride comfort to that of a gen3 or gen4 pajero.
I do find that my father's prado has less cabin noise, but since he installed his OME coils and shocks (of which one shock failed within the first few months) his ride is significantly harder than my paj. (he has the medium hardness setup)
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Anton, I must admit that I’m surprised to hear a complaint about the Pajero’s on road ride comfort. My suspension is totally standard and I have never even considered changing the suspension. Yes, I will admit that on severally corrugated roads (Luderitz to Naukluft) the Gen3 shakes a lot unless you speed up a bit. Then it starts to float across the bumps and is a dream to drive and handle. The Gen4 has had a few complaints about dashboard rattles off road, but still seems to be pretty much the same as the Gen3 otherwise. Did the same trip as Nick with the Gen4 and cannot complain about the handling or suspension. There was a bit from Riemvasmaak to Karasburg that rattled us, but after deflating the tyres we had a vast improvement. Could not speed up as it was a very twisty and poorly marked track. However, this does bring me to the tyres. We were unfortunate enough to lose two tyres in Namibia, and we replaced these with the only available option, Dunlop’s. Immediately felt the difference in handling and ride comfort. Played around with tyre pressures and eventually moved the Dunlop’s to the front where the handling improved slightly. If the bushes et all check out, try swapping your wheels out and see if this changes your ride comfort. A few club members are getting together at Hennops/De Wildt on the 9th of June. I’m sure a few will let you try their rides out on the road to see if there is a difference…
If you can feel the grass between your toe's, your flying too low!
3.5 GLS F/LIF 1998 Lost to the x wife
3200 Tdi GSL 2001 Written off
3200 Di-D 5Dr A/T 2002 338 000 Sold
3500i A/T 5Dr 2001 Sold
3.2 Di-Dc GLS A/T 2008
3.5 GLS F/LIF 1998 Lost to the x wife
3200 Tdi GSL 2001 Written off
3200 Di-D 5Dr A/T 2002 338 000 Sold
3500i A/T 5Dr 2001 Sold
3.2 Di-Dc GLS A/T 2008
Hi everyone,
Thanks for all the input.My apologies for late reply, I was out and about for a week.
Cats, the paj's I drove in comparison all had either non OEM coils , shocks or both, and in all cases the ride was much better than mine. One had the lift as well( spacers front and rear.)None had specific deflated tyres to cope, all were within 2- 2.3 bars, I checked it personally with my pressure guage.I don't know so many different people with gen 3's who I can ask for a ride to compare, unfortunately.
Let me try to describe what it feels like to drive.
There is no steering play, and it tracks true on the road. I always ride on 2.1 bar for normal driving,which with the 75 profile Nankang tyres gives good flex.
I fully understand the lessened in-cabin damping due to the construction, but when I drive on any tar road,one can hear and feel every rougness there is. I am not talking about pieces of tar being missing, just any joint or whatever change in surface. I have checked suspension fittings , and cannot find anything which is loose which has play in it to cause bangs. I live in Paarl , and our main road is faily bumpy, but not potholed. I dread having to drive it. It bangs, thumps and whacks as far as I go. When I drive over a speedbump however, there is no clunk whatsoever, and the suspension will actually soak it up pretty well. I am happy with how it handles larger deflections like these, even at speed.
I have tried , when going over patches where I know there is much noise, to brake a bit to load up the joints , but it makes no difference.
On gravel going over corrugations even as low as 30 kms,the dash structure starts to shake violently with an amplitude of probably 10mm.Once it was so bad it actually kicked the radio out of it's mounting. Along with this, the whole vehicle inside resonates and the noise from under drowns out conversation. I have opened the dash and inspected , there are no loose mountings , bolts are tight. Also I cannot get the dash to move up or down by appying pressure, so it is not loose or flopping about as is.I have identified some rattles from the dash, but have fixed them , ( ashtray ,centre console , etc).Have never seen the dash move on any other road or bump.
It seems as if the problem lies in the very first part of when suspension has to move. Speedbumps are OK and quiet, anything else from literally millimetres is transmidderd all the way through so you can hear and feel. If I drive over cat's eyes on purpose, I get the same whack from front and back wheels. For that reason I have bags of sand in the back to quiet that part a bit. To have to do this for tar road driving is ridiculous.
I am dead serious when I sy my little Getz is incomparably better on the same gravel road , at any speed without deflating any tyre.I have actually driven it again in the last week over many a badly maintained gravel road upcountry, as I purposely did not take the Pajero. As
it is now,it would probably have shook itself to pieces.
I have seen on Aussie suppliers sites that there are replacement top mountings for the front struts. Has anyone ever had this replaced before due to wear?
Who knows of any person with actual suspension knowledge In the Western Cape? I get seriously miffed with any centre which immediately wants to sell me a different setup, which is the standard response. It seems as if there is a knowledge gap around here, and there are just jumped-up parts fitters. I am looking for someplace where actual knowledge exists. I am looking for a dekra test centre as Marius has suggested, have not found it yet.
Thing is , one can try a multitude of permutations , changing things up and down. If I buy for instance KYM shocks, and it does not solve the issue , it is a wasted effort.If I now opt for a progressive coil , it might also not solve the issue, because so many says the standard setup is pretty good.
Has anyone else here fitted Monroes like I had and found the ride harsh and uncomfortable?
Dont get me wrong, I really appreciate the inputs and the time everyone takes to respond.
It really riles me that I currently do better offroad in a Korean 1400 hatch, that I cannot trundle along on a gravel road looking at the scenery in a vehicle designed to do just that.It is currently the worst I have ever encountered in anything I have owned and it frustrates the hell out of me, as I like it very much otherwise.I like the motor and transmission system, and had high hopes for the 4x Coilsprung wheels.. The previous Gen 2's and the Colt I owned gave me great pleasure and service.
It is so bad I am contemplating on buying a Toyota or anything else.
Thanks for all the input.My apologies for late reply, I was out and about for a week.
Cats, the paj's I drove in comparison all had either non OEM coils , shocks or both, and in all cases the ride was much better than mine. One had the lift as well( spacers front and rear.)None had specific deflated tyres to cope, all were within 2- 2.3 bars, I checked it personally with my pressure guage.I don't know so many different people with gen 3's who I can ask for a ride to compare, unfortunately.
Let me try to describe what it feels like to drive.
There is no steering play, and it tracks true on the road. I always ride on 2.1 bar for normal driving,which with the 75 profile Nankang tyres gives good flex.
I fully understand the lessened in-cabin damping due to the construction, but when I drive on any tar road,one can hear and feel every rougness there is. I am not talking about pieces of tar being missing, just any joint or whatever change in surface. I have checked suspension fittings , and cannot find anything which is loose which has play in it to cause bangs. I live in Paarl , and our main road is faily bumpy, but not potholed. I dread having to drive it. It bangs, thumps and whacks as far as I go. When I drive over a speedbump however, there is no clunk whatsoever, and the suspension will actually soak it up pretty well. I am happy with how it handles larger deflections like these, even at speed.
I have tried , when going over patches where I know there is much noise, to brake a bit to load up the joints , but it makes no difference.
On gravel going over corrugations even as low as 30 kms,the dash structure starts to shake violently with an amplitude of probably 10mm.Once it was so bad it actually kicked the radio out of it's mounting. Along with this, the whole vehicle inside resonates and the noise from under drowns out conversation. I have opened the dash and inspected , there are no loose mountings , bolts are tight. Also I cannot get the dash to move up or down by appying pressure, so it is not loose or flopping about as is.I have identified some rattles from the dash, but have fixed them , ( ashtray ,centre console , etc).Have never seen the dash move on any other road or bump.
It seems as if the problem lies in the very first part of when suspension has to move. Speedbumps are OK and quiet, anything else from literally millimetres is transmidderd all the way through so you can hear and feel. If I drive over cat's eyes on purpose, I get the same whack from front and back wheels. For that reason I have bags of sand in the back to quiet that part a bit. To have to do this for tar road driving is ridiculous.
I am dead serious when I sy my little Getz is incomparably better on the same gravel road , at any speed without deflating any tyre.I have actually driven it again in the last week over many a badly maintained gravel road upcountry, as I purposely did not take the Pajero. As
it is now,it would probably have shook itself to pieces.
I have seen on Aussie suppliers sites that there are replacement top mountings for the front struts. Has anyone ever had this replaced before due to wear?
Who knows of any person with actual suspension knowledge In the Western Cape? I get seriously miffed with any centre which immediately wants to sell me a different setup, which is the standard response. It seems as if there is a knowledge gap around here, and there are just jumped-up parts fitters. I am looking for someplace where actual knowledge exists. I am looking for a dekra test centre as Marius has suggested, have not found it yet.
Thing is , one can try a multitude of permutations , changing things up and down. If I buy for instance KYM shocks, and it does not solve the issue , it is a wasted effort.If I now opt for a progressive coil , it might also not solve the issue, because so many says the standard setup is pretty good.
Has anyone else here fitted Monroes like I had and found the ride harsh and uncomfortable?
Dont get me wrong, I really appreciate the inputs and the time everyone takes to respond.
It really riles me that I currently do better offroad in a Korean 1400 hatch, that I cannot trundle along on a gravel road looking at the scenery in a vehicle designed to do just that.It is currently the worst I have ever encountered in anything I have owned and it frustrates the hell out of me, as I like it very much otherwise.I like the motor and transmission system, and had high hopes for the 4x Coilsprung wheels.. The previous Gen 2's and the Colt I owned gave me great pleasure and service.
It is so bad I am contemplating on buying a Toyota or anything else.
Anton,
I understand your frustration, but I think (as does everybody else in this thread) that your problem isn't Pajero related, but your specific car.
The body design of the Gen3-4 Pajeros has nothing to do with your symptoms. Every 4x4 SUV (except Toyota) has the same design, as does just about every road car (including the one in your garage).
There is something very unique about the problem with your car and I think it is body integrity related, rather than suspension. I say this because of your positive speed-bump experience.
I assume this Pajero is a recent acquisition, so you do not know anything about it's history (including accidents) - If I'm wrong, then please accept my apology.
Selling that Pajero is an option I would also entertain if I were in your shoes, but buy the next car with an open mind. The symptoms on your Pajero isn't universal - not by a long shot.
I understand your frustration, but I think (as does everybody else in this thread) that your problem isn't Pajero related, but your specific car.
The body design of the Gen3-4 Pajeros has nothing to do with your symptoms. Every 4x4 SUV (except Toyota) has the same design, as does just about every road car (including the one in your garage).
There is something very unique about the problem with your car and I think it is body integrity related, rather than suspension. I say this because of your positive speed-bump experience.
I assume this Pajero is a recent acquisition, so you do not know anything about it's history (including accidents) - If I'm wrong, then please accept my apology.
Selling that Pajero is an option I would also entertain if I were in your shoes, but buy the next car with an open mind. The symptoms on your Pajero isn't universal - not by a long shot.
I just think your shocks are too hard for your application. This then does not allow the coils, which is supposed to take up any irregularity in the road to do their job properly. The shocks or dampers are there to stop the coil to-ing and throwing after it took up a knock. I think in your case the shocks actually prevent the coils, which IIRC are still standard setup, to do their job properly.
Come on guys lets get Anton sorted here, who has a pair of shocks lying in the garage? Even old worn ones for him to fit as a comparison.
Anton keep us posted.
CATS
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Come on guys lets get Anton sorted here, who has a pair of shocks lying in the garage? Even old worn ones for him to fit as a comparison.
Anton keep us posted.
CATS
Sent from my GT-P7100 using Tapatalk 2
2009 Pajero 3.2 DiDc Lwb GLS (Gen4) - Casper (Starting to grow on me)
2001 Pajero 3.2 DiD Lwb GLS Manual (Gen3) - Snoopy (SOLD but not forgotten)
2008 Pajero 3.2 DiDc Lwb GLS Auto (Gen4) - Silvester (SOLD)
2001 Pajero 3.2 DiD Lwb GLS Manual (Gen3) - Snoopy (SOLD but not forgotten)
2008 Pajero 3.2 DiDc Lwb GLS Auto (Gen4) - Silvester (SOLD)
Hi,
CATS, that is a good suggestion, I still have the pair of iron man shocks you gave me,I never used as the 1 was not too good, but as a test for sure would be a good option to test.
Anton, let me know and will arrange from there.
Cheers
David
CATS, that is a good suggestion, I still have the pair of iron man shocks you gave me,I never used as the 1 was not too good, but as a test for sure would be a good option to test.
Anton, let me know and will arrange from there.
Cheers
David
All
Sorry, but I's just flown over this thread and must say that I dont support the heading of this advert.
I must say that mine is not standard, but only because I wanted my Paj higher and able to carry my winch upfront (which I've only used to pull trees out on this vehicle, so far a waste of time)
Knowing a few other Gen 3 and 4 owners with STD OEM suspensions, and having driven with them, its a much nicer ride than in mine with OME's.
I'm not saying that there is nothing wrong with the said Pajero in question, but it really sounds like a very generalized statement.
Sure, if one looks at the flex compared to a Land Rover (
), yes, the Pajero is pathetic, but thats about the only time one can say that IMHO.
Sorry, but I's just flown over this thread and must say that I dont support the heading of this advert.
I must say that mine is not standard, but only because I wanted my Paj higher and able to carry my winch upfront (which I've only used to pull trees out on this vehicle, so far a waste of time)
Knowing a few other Gen 3 and 4 owners with STD OEM suspensions, and having driven with them, its a much nicer ride than in mine with OME's.
I'm not saying that there is nothing wrong with the said Pajero in question, but it really sounds like a very generalized statement.
Sure, if one looks at the flex compared to a Land Rover (
), yes, the Pajero is pathetic, but thats about the only time one can say that IMHO.
Hi Roelfie, I have had the car for more than a year , and have been playing around trying to get it better. I got it with bad shocks, which I replaced with new ones, and also bought a set of standard coils via the forum. Obviously there was an improvement, but not nearly enough. Changed Tyres as well, and fixed some rattles .As I started comparing to other Paj's and other brands, I realised mine is definately sub standard. The vehicle is accident free , I bought it via a friend. ( Ya I know... a real one!)
Thanks for the suggestion Cats , This will help me a great deal.
David , If you can pm me your phone number or other contact details, I will really like to do a comparison.
KaliV, the statement refers to my vehicle only, and not in general.Having owned Gen 2 Pajeros I am not knocking the brand.
Thanks for the suggestion Cats , This will help me a great deal.
David , If you can pm me your phone number or other contact details, I will really like to do a comparison.
KaliV, the statement refers to my vehicle only, and not in general.Having owned Gen 2 Pajeros I am not knocking the brand.
Hi AntonE
I am with you on that! My Pajero also displays the same symptoms with regards to the hard ride. I replaced the rear shocks with OME ones, but, no change. Am considering changing the coils, but, as I also had a Gen 2, I do think my general ride should be better.
Regards
Bernard
I am with you on that! My Pajero also displays the same symptoms with regards to the hard ride. I replaced the rear shocks with OME ones, but, no change. Am considering changing the coils, but, as I also had a Gen 2, I do think my general ride should be better.
Regards
Bernard