The Dobinsons Suspension Thread

[subi_man]

Thanks Homer

FWIW the MTZ pattern seems pretty good on wet bitumen, but would definitely be overkill in the city, I think a good AT tyre could still look good and be better in the wet

[Bartman]

Does anybody know why New Triton's kit disapeard from Dobinsons online catalogue http://www.dobinsonsprings.com/catalogu ... ubishi.pdf ?
Best Regards.

[daryn]

Bartman,

Refer to here for the correct links:

viewtopic.php?f=37&t=2129

If my links are out let us know, but ML and MK are different pdf's.

[harley]

anyone else using Dobs care to share and review the products?
seems like most people use them and like 'em a lot...

[subi_man]

Very happy with my setup so far. A few squeaks have developed, but my Triton only gets off the dirt for trips to own and beyond so I'm not too worried as I'm sure it's only dust related. So far the shocks do a good job of smoothing out the teeth-rattling corrugated roads and laneways. Very little rear-end sag with a trailer, or horsefloat attached.

All-in-all I'm satisfied with the Dobinsons so far

[Greedy]

Very happy with my setup so far. A few squeaks have developed, but my Triton only gets off the dirt for trips to own and beyond so I'm not too worried as I'm sure it's only dust related. So far the shocks do a good job of smoothing out the teeth-rattling corrugated roads and laneways. Very little rear-end sag with a trailer, or horsefloat attached.

All-in-all I'm satisfied with the Dobinsons so far

What Subi said. It's nice to have the car back rather than the ship that was delivered to me on stock suspension.

[Buzzy]

Not very happy with mine at all.
Waiting on another leaf (2nd) for the back due to sagging.
Back left now sits around 25-30mm lower then the right.
Front left sits around 15mm lower the the right.
And the squeeking is ridiculous. Makes the OEM stuff sound quiet, imbarassing to drive.

If this reset to 20mm higher leaf doesnt work im getting rid of the suspention all together, try something else.
I have put alot of people onto this stuff because I thought it was good gear. I just hope no one else has these problems...... doesnt sound like it so far.
From what I've been told my truck seams to be the only one in the world having these problems

Will let you's know how I get on.

[Greedy]

Jeez Buzzy, this is turning into some saga. I hope you manage to get it fixed.

[harley]

buzzy,
that sucks mate.... i hope you can fix the problem soon...

[harley]

@freestylecab,
do you still have that mysterious "clunk" from your front set-up?

[Greedy]

@freestylecab,
do you still have that mysterious "clunk" from your front set-up?

He mentioned back on page 2 that a retorque of the ball joint nuts got rid of the clunk.

[harley]

@greedy, thanks mate... i missed that page...

[Greedy]

No problems. It's getting to be a long thread now. I remember it because I had a similar clunk not long after my install.

[Choady]

Not very happy with mine at all.
Waiting on another leaf (2nd) for the back due to sagging.
Back left now sits around 25-30mm lower then the right.
Front left sits around 15mm lower the the right.
And the squeeking is ridiculous. Makes the OEM stuff sound quiet, imbarassing to drive.

Buzzy - are you getting good support and service from Martin ? I remember when talking to him, he mentioned that he has had little customer feedback (positive or negative) about his gear, so assumes that its all going swimingly. people generally only ring back if they have complaints I wonder how many people have rang back and told him he should have longer rear brake hoses included in the kit etc etc......

I hope you get the service and support you deserve, otherwise Martin may find sales falling........Im ready to purchase mine right now - but i think i will wait out to find resolution on this.

By the way, who has had their Dobinsons on for the longest ? be interested to see if it is something that happens over time or not.

[Buzzy]

Choady,
Martin has been OK so far.
He/Dobinsons cant understand why its happening with my truck.
I think they are leaning towards a manufacturing problem with my car or something (of course) because when they supplied a new leaf it still had the same problem Stuffed if I know.
Sounds like alot of BS to me.
I have told him that I am more than happy with the handling & ride of my truck, its brilliant.
I also said that most of the guys on here are happy with their gear, mines just f%$ked!

I think Austblue has had his on the longest, then I was next in line.

[sam]

I've got the front struts only on mine with king springs and have had them on for just under 2 years.

Initially found them rather hard on corrugations etc but after a few hard K's ( Gibb River, One Arm Point, Marble Bar, Shay Gap Rd etc ) they have softend considerably to the point it now tends to float a little on the highway, no where to the extent of the originals but it is noticable

For the rear shocks I used Koni's and they most likely take more punishment than the front shocks due to the weight of all the camping gear and Jayco camper etc (should have seen the shock rubbers after the trip ) and have to say they feel as good as the day they went on

Overall good value for money I would say but if I update the ute next year I wouldn't put them on again but that is just imo.

[FreestyleCab]

@freestylecab,
do you still have that mysterious "clunk" from your front set-up?

No, had one bolt in the upper control arm bush that wasn't as tight as it should have been.

Buzzy, you have another "sag brother", my ute is also listing to the passenger side!
I will run a tape over all 4 corners to confirm, but I would say it is at least 25mm lower on the passenger side rear....not sure about the front yet. It has been slowly sagging over the last few thousand km. (only done 5oookm on the new suspension!). I have just arrived home from a 10 day holiday and the ute was lightly loaded with 2 adults, 1 kid plus about 300kg of luggage and gear and I was sick of seeing my Triton leaning over on one side.... I have just unloaded all the gear and will measure the ride heights tomorrow when I give the ute a clean.

[Buzzy]

FSC not good to here mate dont wish it on anybody, but thank christ its happening to someone else.
We might have a bit more ammo now

[Wallace]

Buzzy and FSC for you information. Rear left with trolley jack and bits and pieces 625mm rear right 635mm and thats with full tank of fuel. I hope yopu guys can get together with Martin and get it sorted and don't give up on the products as in my opinion it is first class.

[Buzzy]

Just measured mine again Wallace.
Front Left - 575
Front Right - 585
Can live with 10mm

Rear Left - 620
Rear Right - 645
25mm........ no good!

And squeeking like a mongrel

[FreestyleCab]

Just measured mine again:
Front Passenger - 565mm
Front Driver - 570mm

Rear Passenger - 633mm
Rear Driver - 653mm

20mm is enough for me to easily see.....(builder by trade so I tend to look everywhere and notice plumb, level, square or lack thereof)

I took some photos of the ute with a level on the rear step towbar packed up to show dead level. I will post them as soon as I am able.

[Buzzy]

Did the same thin FSC, have a look at page 5 of this thread

[Wallace]

Buzzy and FSC I am running constant load rear springs, are yours the same? Front is acceptable with the ten mill diff on right side. I pull the scales at 105kgs ( no smart arsed remarks needed ) and with me in the vehicle this settles out the differance some what. Check the part numbers on the spring packs and compare.

[Buzzy]

Cant remember what mine are now wallace, must have a look tomorrow.
I have a new (reset 20mm) higher spring coming from Dobinson this week.
Going to try and fit it over the weekend if I get a chance, see what happens after that

[FreestyleCab]

Constant load front and rear on my ute.
I also tip the scales at 105kg.....and getting heavier every week! I have had someone check the ride heights while I am sitting in the ute and my fat ass doesn't make a difference, the ute still leans to the passenger side.
The ride heights I gave above were with a 1/4 tank of diesel, filling it up drops the height by only 1 to 2 mm on the passenger side