ACE too stiff - Land Rover Forums

spankie57 · #1 01-28-2012, 08:43 PM

Hi all. Fantastic site. I have learnt a great deal about my, new to me, Discovery while trying find a solution to my problem. I have an unmodified 2001 Disc 2 v8 auto with ACE and no airbags. The suspension is extremely stiff at road speeds as well as very slow speeds. I've read they're supposed to be soft at slow speeds. Mine is rock hard. Vehicle stopped with the engine running, I can pull on the roof racks and watch to suspension appear to act normally. As soon as I drive it at any speed it is very hard over any bumps. I am an older farmer and can't drive it with my back until I fix it. I have had many 4x4s but none have been this hard. The dealer says bring it in. Right! The vehicle has 165,000km and is in very good well serviced condition. Virtually no off road until now. It has had the ABS TC and Vehicle Descent symbol permanently displayed on the dash since I bought it. Amigo ordered and coming in the mail. Both reservoirs are pumping clean fluid quite fast. The ACE pump has a noticable whirring noise but not too bad. I am quite mechanical and would very much appreciate any input you guys may have to help me.

tee51397 · #2 01-29-2012, 05:17 AM

The ACE system won't cause what you're describing. I'd say time for new shocks, for the most compliant ride I'd go with LR Genuine or Koni.

spankie57 · #3 01-29-2012, 06:23 AM

Thank you for your reponse. I have watched the suspension going over bumps. The wheels hardly move up at all. However, I can rock the stationary vehicle by hand and watch the suspension seemingly work like normal. Do Discovery shocks on an Ace equipped vehicle work differently from normal shocks? Do you think they are pumping up hard as I drive? If I get new ones are they a special shocks to match the Ace?

tee51397 · #4 01-29-2012, 07:30 AM

On the '01 there are shocks for all suspension configurations. The Genuine part number with ACE & Coil springs is RPD102343. With the Konis it's a one size fits all, I like them because they're adjustable and with Coils I'd do the softest setting. Out of the others I've tried - Monroe, Bilstein and OME they're the ones that, in my opinion, have the softest and closest to stock ride but I also don't have a lift so some of the others may perform better in that scenario.

Disco Mike · #5 01-29-2012, 08:47 AM

With 165,000 K's on that truck, the suspension died years ago, it is warn out and unable to control the ride of our top heavy vehicles. The system was never designed to change as the speed increases.
As for the ACE, it only comes into play on turns over 20 MPH and is designed to keep the truck more level on hard turns.
Best thing you should do is first, flush the ACE system, the fluid is most likely way too old and burned leaving the system with little ability to do it's job. Then replace at least the shocks, if you do no wheeling or the shocks and coil springs if you enjoy wheeling. Either way your ride will be so greatly improved.

drowssap · #6 01-29-2012, 12:04 PM

any shock recomendation for a stock truck with ACE, no lift, very little OR?

spankie57 · #7 01-31-2012, 01:57 AM

I appreciate all your help guys. I'm in Australia so the truck has actually done 165,000 kilometres (100,000 miles) However, I still think you may be right about the suspension being worn out. So, I will flush the system again with a new filter this time and seeing that new suspension is a must, I may as well get a two inch lift. I'll check your other posts to find your recommendations on the best two inch lift kit to match my ACE. Once again, thank you.