ASK ARB –
suspension limitations

Hi guys,

I have recently purchased an MK Triton after parting with my trusty old NJ Pajero which I had for years covered in ARB gear! The Triton is now also covered in ARB except for Old Man Emu suspension which I’m yet to get around to purchasing. This slipped my mind until I was airborne in the Triton after hitting a spoon drain a little too hard. It was while I was waiting to hit the ground again that I thought to myself, ‘I wish I had bought that OME from ARB Albury like I had in the Pajero!’ I landed and got away without damage to the Triton this time (other than a sore back for me), but it got me thinking as to whether OME is happy to take the force of an airborne vehicle landing on it? Does ARB actually simulate airborne vehicles during the load rate testing of OME suspension in the factory?

Matt Curry

Hi Matt,

The straight answer is no, we don’t jump the company and borrowed vehicles we use in suspension development because of the possible damage this form of testing could cause, but we expect the manufacturers would have done this type of extreme testing to confirm the chassis and suspension design are up to the job.

As our suspension is normally at least 20% up on spring rate (from standard), this combined with the increased damping from our vehicle specific shock valving means that OME should be able to handle this type of punishment better than the original. Therefore, the outcome from an inadvertent jump in a vehicle fitted with Old Man Emu suspension should mean less chance of damage to the vehicle and the driver’s back, than a vehicle without.

This is why so many competitors in off road competition use OME.

Syd Groves
(Old Man Emu Product Manager)