Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

Hey Guys

I recently noticed the rear right has a slight sag in it, after some closer inspection the rear shocks could do with replacing, i have had the car about 8 months now and i plan on towing alot more once I'm back from honeymoon.

Any suggestions on shock replacement? make brand etc? I would assume stiffer in the back because of the towing need, also i will eventually install the bellows. is it better to rather get normal suspension and then install the bellows to give you that extra when needed?

Also for the shocks if anyone knows a good fitment center in the Durban area.

I am also looking for a ARB style front bumper, any advice on this would be great too

Thanks!!

HI Naviuk

Regarding your sag at the rear of your vehicle, you must just remember that the Dampers (Shocks) do not add to carrying capacity, they only even out the bumps in the road and are critical for handling at higher road speeds. Your coil spring actually carries the weight of the vehicle and influences the ride height. You will need to look at new coil springs to sort out your sag, air helpers will also help with leveling out your van when loaded.

If your dampers (Shocks) are not working anymore you should replace them, you will see this in poor handling of the car, uneven tire wear patterns or oil leaks visible on the barrel of the damper.

On my previous Pajero I put some Gabriel HDP dampers in which have a much bigger bore than OEM dampers for higher performance under severe road & load conditions. Fully loaded and going over-landing on poor & corrugated dust roads they performed excellently, but unfortunately I lost the nice and plush ride for the other 95% of the time I use the the car to drive around unloaded. When my current pajeros's set (TJM XGS gold series) goes I will look for an OEM or mild set to keep my comfy ride.

M2CW: I would replace the coils with OEM or the softest aftermarket coils available with air bellows for those times your vehicle is heavily loaded.

Bumper: Look at Burnco, or Lynx for cheaper alternatives to the ARB bumper.

Hey Nick

Thanks for the advice and help, I'll take it to someone to determine the springs. i think the OEM option or softer option with bellows for when needed is the best option, like you 95% of the time will be unloaded, so this seems to be the best option

Will look into those bars now

Thanks

@naviuk,

It is always going to some sort of compromise.

OEM springs + air helpers cannot compensate infinitely for those times when you are HEAVILY loaded.

And one tends to forget how quickly sprung weight adds up:
Roofrack
2nd spare wheel on roof
Gas bottle
A couple of Jerry cans + contents
An aux fuel tank + fuel contents
A 2nd battery system
A drawer system
A water tank
Tools
Spares
High lift jack
Shovel
Spares
Tent
Food
Drink
etc. etc.

And you need to decide what path you want to take before you spend - for instance if you choose OEM springs + air helpers and then decide you need to change the springs to give a bit more lift and load capacity, then the air helpers also need to be changed (shorter body for air helper if vehicle is not lifted). Been there, done that.

Good Points!

The one thing i have not considered is the spare wheel placement and that i have changed it to a all terrain spare. I'll take the wheel off and see if there is less sag or a noticeable difference, it could just be more weight.

The shocks feel ok but would need a proper test to know.

I'm in DBN so those bullbars are abit far, but will kee looking

Thanks!!

Hi As per Nick
Bumper: Look at Burnco, or Lynx for cheaper alternatives to the ARB bumper.

Contact Lynx and ask who they use in DBN for installation.Or Try RuggedforAfrica in Hillcrest.

Who You using for Services in DBN?

Hi,
I would also be interested to know who you're using for services in Durban

Hi Wayne did you get my message. Is your Pajero standard? I see on an older post you had some problems.

Shot for the info!

The Paj's motor was rebuilt by a crowd in town by the previous owner, but they are a mission to get to for servicing, i'm moving back to Westville in May so I'll probably go back to my original mechanic in Pinetown for the general stuff. PG Motors near the end of Otto volek road, just past transaxle

I'm due for a oil service in a few 1000km's and will more then likely just do this myself. I know my way around Subarus very well but when it comes to diesel and pajeros I'm still learning

Will give the guys in hillcrest a call and see what they can do for me

Thanks!!