If you drive your Rover long enough, you will eventually face the need to replace your shocks. For those in need of replacements, we have provided a basic "Shock 101" overview to help guide your next purchase.
If you drive your Rover long enough, you will eventually face the need to replace your shocks. For those in need of replacements, we have provided a basic "Shock 101" overview to help guide your next purchase.
Shock absorbers are used to dampen the recoil of the suspension springs, and transfer energy (impact) from rough driving that would otherwise be absorbed by the vehicle. Shocks are responsible for that smooth ride you enjoy in your Range Rover, and also help adventurous off-roaders tackle extreme terrain.
Selecting a time to change your shocks will depend a lot on how you are using your vehicle. Racking up highway miles is not going to wear a set of shocks as quickly as aggressive off-road driving will. As a general rule, we advise swapping your shocks at around 50,000 miles.
You can tell it might be time to change your shocks if you notice excessive bouncing or rocking after hitting a bump or coming to a complete stop. Other signs can include increased body roll when cornering, as well as actual physical damage to the shock. Dings or bends can allow contaminants to enter the shock, compromising its performance or destroying the shock all together (especially in the case of monotube shocks).
Replacing your shocks will reduce the stress felt by other suspension parts, and extend the life of various vehicle components.
As the name would imply, the twin tube shock features two tubes – the outer body (1) and a cylinder inside the outer body (2) which contains a piston. The piston is attached to a piston rod which pushes against hydraulic fluid when under pressure. As the shock moves up and down, hydraulic fluid pushes through small holes in the piston which slows the movement of the shock absorber. This process allows kinetic energy to be transferred into heat and then dissipated through the shock’s hydraulic fluid.
The development of gas charged shocks greatly improved the functionality of the twin tube design. Normal hydraulic shocks are susceptible to cavitation, or the foaming that occurs in hydraulic fluid when it overheats from heavy use. Foam inside the shock can be compressed without any resistance, limiting the shocks ability to absorb and transfer kinetic energy. Adding a low pressure nitrogen gas charge to the tube creates air bubbles inside the hydraulic fluid, which prevents the shock from foaming. Gas charged shocks also have an increased spring rate (force required to compress the spring).
A mono tube shock design employs gas-charge technology, but uses a stronger charge, one tube and two pistons. Mono-tube shocks are less prone to foaming then their twin-tube cousins, as the working components of the tube are exposed to the air. The mono-tube design is typically more expensive and provides a stiffer suspension best suited for on-road driving. Small dings or dents to the mono tube can be disastrous.
The new Nitrocharger Sport Shock from Old Man Emu is the most finely tuned, advanced and innovative shock absorber on the market! OME's ride control engineers have tested and proven its durability through extensive laboratory and Outback testing. Engineered for both on-road drivability and off-road touring, the Nitrocharger Sport instantly adapts to the terrain. Improved low and high speed control increases comfort and control over all road surfaces.
These shocks are fully compatible with OME's extensive range of springs and hardware for a complete integrated suspension system and come with a 3-year, 60,000km warranty.
An inexpensive way to upgrade your Rover’s performance and handling. Bilstein shocks are the best in the business and their Lifetime Warranty proves it! These are heavy-duty self-adjusting gas shocks - the patented nitrogen chamber and dividing piston virtually eliminates oil foaming and performance fade and is unique to Bilstein. The piston/spring steel disc system regulates oil flow so precisely it requires no manual adjustments whatsoever, and the seal design is so superior it can handle even up to 2,150 PSI without a leak! That’s why Bilstein has won more off-road races than any shock absorber on the market. If you’ve got over 40,000 miles on your Rover, you’ll be amazed in ride and performance a set of these quality, German-made shocks will make!
Terrafirma All Terrain shocks are a favorite in any condition and any environment. The tough twin tube design allows for a large volume of oil for cooler internals and improved protection of working parts. Low pressure nitrogen keeps the oil under pressure which prevents it from foaming and creating cavitation which eventually results in heat build up and shock fade.
These shocks are built with the largest possible fully welded mounting pins and rubber bushes for maximum strength and durability. Tough enough to handle the punishment of recreational off-roading yet refined to provide a comfortable, well balanced and controlled ride on road. These are the perfect replacement for existing shocks and yet can also accommodate up to 2" (50mm) of lift using Terrafirma coil springs.
Super Gaz
Super Gaz Shock Absorbers provide both performance and value. They offer a vast improvement in ride quality and damping performance, especially if you're looking to put your Rover through the paces off-road. The durable twin-tube design provides an added layer of protection, with the outer tube protecting the inner rod tube from the off-road dings and scrapes that can seize-up single-tube shocks. They feature a 35mm bore tube filled with Fuchs shock absorber fluid, using the best seal available, single piece eye rings, polyurethane bush mounts and a very durable powder coated finish. Ideal for use with our Yellow Spring range, Old Man Emu or genuine Land Rover springs.
Sign up and receive once every 2 weeks