Suspension replacement

Hi, I have OME shocks & suspension on my 2005 Patrol GU which have done 120,000km. I am planning a Simpson crossing next winter and would like advice about changing them or not. I have had no problems but am concerned if they might end their lives in the big sandpit.
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Reply By: Ruffy-Dan - Sunday, Sep 04, 2011 at 21:31

Sunday, Sep 04, 2011 at 21:31
Moira,
Suspension is obviously a vital system to any vehicle, let alone an offorad tourer. The condition of your suspension after 120,000 km will soley depend on what you have done to it over the last 120,000km!
Coil springs are rather simple. They have a nominal load rating that they are designed to carry. If your springs are still supporting the load of the vehicle well then i'd suggest there is no reason to replace them.
You shock absorbers, on the other hand are not as easy to gauge their condition. The obvious signs of a failing shocks are leaks or physical damage. How ever, the oil inside the shock is what makes it do what it does. like all lubricants, shock oil doesn't like being overheated. If it overheats, over time it loses viscosity and will aerate easier so your shocks will fade sooner. This is not evident with a bounce test or physical inspect.
If you have done alot of touring in that time then a new set of shock absorbers would be a good investment. And keep the removed ones for spares incase of damage etc.
Some advice from a reputable offroad store would be wise as well.

DAN
AnswerID: 464220

Reply By: Mick O - Sunday, Sep 04, 2011 at 21:36

Sunday, Sep 04, 2011 at 21:36
Have a read of this thread from last Thursday regarding shocks and suspension. If you have OME and you haven't been off road, then they may last for a Simpson trip. If it was the Canning/Gunbarrel/Anne Beadell/SBJ Road then I'd advise a change prior to the trip.

OME - Tough Dog Post

Cheers Mick
''We knew from the experience of well-known travelers that the
trip would doubtless be attended with much hardship.''
Richard Maurice - 1903

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AnswerID: 464222

Reply By: Member - Doug T (NT) - Monday, Sep 05, 2011 at 03:12

Monday, Sep 05, 2011 at 03:12
My set of OME (leaf) and Dampers would be around the 470,000K's usage, been to the SD twice, Kiwirrkurra twice, Tanami Track, Gibb River Rd, Goog's Track, all over NW & SW Qld, Gregory NP, etc, etc, and still perform well.

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AnswerID: 464226

Reply By: Moira S - Monday, Sep 05, 2011 at 08:48

Monday, Sep 05, 2011 at 08:48
mmmm thanks guys - good points. They have done Cape York, the Plenty, the Birdsville and the Oodnadata plus a few trips out to Chamber's Pillar, Dalhousie and the like. The springs certainly seem fine but it's the difficulty in assessing the shocks I was concerned about. I certainly love the OMEs - they have been a breeze. Note the 470 but don't think I want to risk Murphy's law - so new shocks it may be.
AnswerID: 464238

Follow Up By: petesgq - Monday, Sep 05, 2011 at 14:11

Monday, Sep 05, 2011 at 14:11
If you do repalcae your shocks dont waist your money and buy the the Koni raid shocks.
Tried most the other popular after market brands and the all failed some faster than others.
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FollowupID: 738148

Follow Up By: Kimba10 - Monday, Sep 05, 2011 at 14:35

Monday, Sep 05, 2011 at 14:35
But what is Koni's warranty like when your stranded in the outback compared to OME Pete ???? Good thing with OME is doesnt matter where you are they will get one to you even if this includes by plain. My old lux had OME from brand new and did 300 thou before the shockies started to fade and the front leaf springs started to sag, and I had them replaced. This old girl did a few laps of oz. including some fairly hard core stuff when playing around home and never ever had an issue with OME, have had it fitted to two prados since and getting current prado fitted with it as well........Every one to there own but for me OME has been great and have no plans of changing it to anything else.
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FollowupID: 738154

Follow Up By: petesgq - Monday, Sep 05, 2011 at 14:49

Monday, Sep 05, 2011 at 14:49
OEM are good shocks in the nissan, and your lux ome are good to but they are only designed to preform within specified range, as soon as you add a load and some heavy corrugations they will fail.
A lot of companys sprook there product as serious off road and heavy duty 4x4, but they are rubbish that look big and serious and cost a bucket load, but are a step back from oem. My rig is 300kg past GVM (Dont whine to me about my GVM, every one reading this) so my rig pushes shocks realy hard, after a lot of trail and erro,r and few of the buckets of money. Koni raid 88s are the ones.

Ps It a bleep ride with out shock and you have to make your own assesement when replacing, but you will get a better shock than oem going koni raids

Got a warrant.

Fully rebuidable

Try and get a warrant out of nissan for shocks?


My personnel findings. ( I dont sell or having anything to gain from koni)

Do some googling and talk to some of the forums.

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FollowupID: 738156

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