Hi good people.

I’m not sure if I’ve got an issue or not lol. Basically I’ve noticed a bit of rope on top of a bar attached to the drivers side shock. I’ve checked the passenger side and it has neither a shaft/bar or a bit of old rope! I wondering if this is normal (not the rope)? Is this bar original or is it a bodge job?

I have attached some pics - maybe one of you experts can enlighten me on this weird set up?

Cheers

Kev






Last edited by Kev L on 13th Jun 2025 5:03 pm. Edited 1 time in total

No images!

Sorry, I thought they were uploaded 🤦‍♂️

Isn't that a vibration damper? stock part if it is, the frayed bit of rope?clip, who knows.  DAVE.

Last edited by Dave47 on 14th Jun 2025 6:08 pm. Edited 1 time in total

Looks like a bodge repair job on the vibration damper as these are almost £200 new ??? 2013 FL2 XS.
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Whatever it is it’s not supposed to be there and would have dampened out the effect of the vibration damper. Trouble is, what’s going to happen if you get rid of the old rope?

That is a brilliant bodge for what is most likely a failed vibration damper.
The mass will be loose on the shaft as the rubber bonding will have failed, causing a knocking noise as the mass moves up and down on the shaft. The clamped rope will prevent that vertical movement (to an extent), probably removing the irritating knocking noise.. As BossBob points out, it wont help the performance of the damper at all - but the relative silence is probably what a previous owner wanted to achieve. That's effectively £200 saved . It is probably not an MOT fail either!

The ingenuity of Land Rover owners never ceases to amaze me...

[BTW, just remove the damper & the remains of the shaft from the strut. I doubt you'll notice any difference. It looks like the rope rubs against the wheel arch liner, so removing it along with the defective damper might even make the car slightly quieter! ]

Thank you all so much for your replies. So a bodge it was then 😂

If I take it off will it create an issue? Is it worth getting it replaced? I just want it to be safe. If it cost £200 then so be it. What would need replacing? The shock itself or the damper?

Cheers

When my partner and I had all 4 shocks and springs replaced on our Freelander 2 we didn't buy new vibration dampeners and have not noticed any difference at all. I'm sure when Freelander 2's are below 50,000 miles there might be a difference. After then, rubber bushes will start to wear and everything will losen up over time which will ultimately add random vibrations all over the car.

So in short, another vote for either not touching it or just getting rid . https://www.youtube.com/@scottandalana4x4

I am sure my FL2 (2014) never had dampers on its OEM rear shocks when I changed them in 2023.
It certainly doesnt have any now. Jules

Oh ok, so it’s safe just to leave it as is the ? Even if the rope disintegrates?

Cheers

Kev

You could leave it as it is - the rope is helping keep the wheel arch liner clean after all...

...but check that there is no movement on the damper (even with the rope in place). Grab the mass & see if you can move it by hand. If you can move it more than a mm or so, then remove it as it will likely cause a knocking noise, which will be annoying, particularly for passengers in the back...

If the rope eventually disintegrates, you could always replace it

Kev L wrote:

Oh ok, so it’s safe just to leave it as is the ? Even if the rope disintegrates?

Cheers

Kev

jules wrote:

I am sure my FL2 (2014) never had dampers on its OEM rear shocks when I changed them in 2023.
It certainly doesnt have any now.