Land Rover Suspension
Your Land Rover has an exceptional ride. Its suspension system is responsible for its off-road capability and smooth and comfortable ride. Just like any other vehicle though, it needs to be well maintained and serviced to run smoothly.
Over time, suspension components wear out and need replacing. Otherwise, your handling and safety could be affected.
At South Coast Garage, we see so many Land Rover owners enter our workshop with reports of unusual noises, poor performance and ride issues – all of which point to suspension problems.
Our specialist team has been fixing Land Rover vehicles for decades. At South Coast Garage, we are on hand to fix any suspension-related issue you may have.
In this guide, we uncover the truth about suspension maintenance, how important it is and what to look out for. We also show you what could happen if you ignore warning signs and neglect your Land Rover suspension.
Read on to find out more!
Why is Land Rover Suspension System Maintenance So Important?
Your Land Rover is carefully set up not only to provide a smooth ride but also to help with performance.
If your suspension system is well maintained, your ride will be comfortable, and it will make sure that all four tyres are in contact with the road.
To keep your Land Rover handling as it should, regular suspension servicing and maintenance are required.
If you fail to service and maintain your suspension, it can lead to:
- Worsened handling
- Poor fuel economy
- Uneven tyre wear
- Bad driving ‘feel’.
At South Coast Garage, our specialist Land Rover team is on hand to make sure yours runs like new.
Land Rover Suspension Problems – Signs To Look Out For
Your Land Rover suspension is designed to handle all types of terrain. This means that it is subject to wear and tear and can fail over time. If you notice signs early enough, you can address them quickly and prevent expensive repairs.
Here are the common signs that you might see if you have suspension issues:
- Quick Tyre Wear: If your tyres wear unevenly, it might mean your suspension is not aligned right or your shock absorbers are faulty.
- Shaky Drive: Feeling vibrations while driving could be a sign that your shock absorbers are worn or damaged. If you notice this, get in touch with South Coast Garage.
- Drifting or Pulling: If your Land Rover veers to one side when driving straight, it might be because your wheels are not aligned correctly, or you have suspension problems. Don’t ignore it; call us today for a reliable solution.
- Too Much Bouncing: Normally, your suspension absorbs bumps from rough roads. If your car bounces excessively, the shocks or struts might be the issue.
- Strange Noises: Knocking and thudding sounds, especially when going over bumps or turning, could mean there’s an issue with your suspension. Reach out to South Coast Garage for a dependable, first-time fix.
- Steering Issues: If your steering feels stiff, heavy, or inconsistent, it could be due to a problem with your Land Rover’s suspension.
- Fluid Leaks: If you see oily or wet patches under your car, it could be a sign of leaky shock absorbers affecting your car’s performance. Schedule a suspension check with us if you observe these signs.
- Visible Damage: Regularly check for visible damage, like bent or broken components in the control arms or bushings.
- Uneven Level: If one side of your Land Rover is lower than the others, it indicates a suspension issue. Don’t let it get worse, contact South Coast Garage today for a prompt solution.
- Dashboard Warnings: Modern Land Rovers have advanced suspension systems that can send alerts to your dashboard. Don’t overlook these warnings, call South Coast Garage for assistance.
If you experience any of these symptoms, don’t leave it to chance. With a team of Land Rover experts on hand to assist you, reach out to South Coast Garage today.
To avoid safety issues, a drop in performance or to save money on future repair bills, have your suspension looked at by our team of experts at South Coast Garage.
How Do Land Rover Suspension Systems Work?
Your suspension system plays a vital role in maintaining the smooth ride of your Land Rover. There are different suspension setups for different Land Rover models, to cater for the different styles of driving.
Consider the advanced ‘Terrain Response 2’ feature present in Land Rover vehicles, such as the Range Rover Sport. This advanced system has sophisticated sensors and actuators to make instant and accurate adjustments to the vehicle’s suspension and drivetrain based on the terrain.
This technology allows you to customise the ride height of the Range Rover Sport, ensuring optimal performance on diverse terrains. The system can modify the vehicle’s height by an impressive margin, adapting to changes in road conditions quickly.
It’s incredible work from the Land Rover engineers.
Land Rover vehicles are equipped with various suspension types, at the front you have:
- MacPherson Strut: Land Rover has a MacPherson Strut setup in some of its vehicles, such as the Land Rover Discovery Sport. Although not as prevalent in the Land Rover line-up, the MacPherson Strut is chosen for its straightforward design and space-saving characteristics, making it suitable for compact Land Rover models.
- Double-Wishbone Suspension: Featured in vehicles like the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport. This suspension system enables independent movement of each wheel, ensuring precise handling. Land Rover’s implementation in the Range Rover incorporates air springs to deliver an exceptionally smooth driving experience.
- Multi-Link Suspension: A system used in larger models, like the Land Rover Discovery and Defender. This complex system includes four control arms on each side, allowing for careful adjustments of camber, caster, and toe. This well-thought-out design ensures superior handling and stability, making it an excellent choice for larger Land Rover models.
Land Rover suspension systems on the rear include:
- Double-Wishbone Suspension: Land Rover incorporates the Double-Wishbone Suspension in models such as the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport. This suspension type allows for individual wheel movement, ensuring that each wheel responds accurately to the road, particularly enhancing the performance of Land Rover’s high-end models.
- Four-Link Suspension: Land Rover Discovery employs the Four-Link Suspension system, where upper links are combined with lower trailing arms to enhance axle dynamics and travel, providing optimal performance and stability.
- Air Suspension Systems: Land Rover Discovery Sport features advanced air suspension systems that are commonly found on Land Rover vehicles. These systems allow for the adjustment of ride height, providing exceptional torsional and bending strength. This configuration minimises vibrations, delivering an ultra-smooth ride and is a popular choice in Land Rover’s line-up for a comfortable driving experience.
At South Coast Garage, we specialise in Land Rover vehicles and know each of their suspension setups. We maintain and repair suspension across all Land Rover models, call us today and book an appointment.
What Causes Suspension Problems?
As your Land Rover gets older and the miles go up, your suspension may start showing signs of wear and tear.
For Land Rover models with higher mileage, various components start to break down. Components such as tie rods, ball joints, wheel bearings, control arm bushings, and sway bar links.
There are many reasons why your suspension wears out quickly, including:
- Challenging driving conditions
- Often making sudden stops
- Quickly speeding up
- Regular driving off-road
- Frequent potholes
To understand more about which components may fail and to find out when they need replacing, consult your Land Rover owner’s manual.
At South Coast Garage, our team of expert Land Rover technicians carefully inspect your suspension system and address issues quickly to avoid problems getting worse. As a result, you save money on future repair bills.
Need help with your Land Rover suspension? Reach out to our team of experts today at South Coast Garage.
Driving With Faulty Suspension, What Are The Risks?
Your safety is compromised when you drive with faulty components, especially when they are related to the suspension system.
Common issues in your Land Rover include:
- Damaged Struts: Using a Land Rover with struts that aren’t working properly is risky. Struts are important for a smooth ride. When they don’t work, it can mess up how your Land Rover drives and harm other important parts.
- Worn Springs: It’s not a good idea to drive with springs that are worn out. If your springs are sagging or making weird sounds, they can mess up how your wheels are aligned, causing uneven driving and less control. You wouldn’t want your safety to be in danger, would you?
- Malfunctioning Control Arms: It’s not safe to drive with control arms that aren’t working correctly. These parts help the suspension move and keep the wheels aligned properly. If they stop working, you might experience unpredictable driving and your tyres may wear out faster.
- Worn-out Shock Absorbers: Driving with shock absorbers that are worn out can make your journey less smooth; you’ll have less control, and it gets worse at higher speeds.
At South Coast Garage, our team of Land Rover experts have the experience and tools to solve all suspension issues. If you just need a thorough inspection or a complete repair, we have the skills to fix it.
Are you having suspension problems in your Land Rover? Don’t hesitate as the problem could get worse. Reach out to our specialist team today at South Coast Garage.
