Ironman feedback - Pajero Gen3
Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 10:55 pm
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.
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.
