Tennis Balls

Grahame Readwin · Veteran Member

Tennis Balls

Nomad246 · Senior Member

Grahame Readwin wrote: ~~~ In Part ~~~
If I was worried about it try putting tennis balls in the springs and see if it made a difference. He did stress that this should only be a temporary measure.
Sounds like 'balls' to me.
I don't know how you would get a tennis ball between the spring coils, without puncturing and deflating the ball.
If your comment "balloons" refers to airbags as in Polyair springs http://www.polyair.com.au/
I can recommend them as fantastic. I've had them on my Patrol for over 15 years and the result has been worth the cost.
At first I was convinced that they would puncture easily, however after 4 huge offroad treks and numerous short Vic treks the Polyairs are still on the 4WD and still operate perfectly.
Originally installed to tow a very heavy offroad trailer I've also used them for towing horses, boats, heavy tandems and have never used a WDH.
Just updating my old Patrol I should take them off for my new 4WD, but after the work they have faultlessly done I think I'll treat the new 4WD to it's own new set.
I'd advise, consider the Polyairs to assist your Pathfinders loose ass.

ozjohn · Guru

confuse hmm
Footballs are for Football.
Basketballs are for Basketball.
Tennis balls are for ??????

Nomad246 · Senior Member

ozjohn wrote:

Footballs are for Football.
Basketballs are for Basketball.
Tennis balls are for ??????

And balloons are for parties, it's a wonder no-one has suggested inserting air filled condoms into the springs to cop a load.

Grahame, I should also mention that the advice of 'stronger shocks' will not do a thing to carry a load.

Cheers

Grahame Readwin · Veteran Member

Thanks for the advice on the Polyairs. All this started at the recommendation of Cooper Tyres. My rear tyres always show more uneven wear than the fronts even though I regularly have realignments done. Apparently, It's common on Pathfinders and Pajaros due to the load altering the camber with the independant suspension. Cooper's suggestion is to fit airbags. My towing is fine. I use a WDH even though the back of the Pathy hardly moves when attaching the van. My mechanic simply suggested balls to test if air bags would help my problem. He would supply and fit the airbags if I wanted them, but didn't want to charge for something not neccessary.

I've looked on the net for other people using the tennis ball trick - you'd be surprised. A LeMans race team many years ago even used them for the whole 24 hour race! However, I think I'll leave the ball's for the likes of Macenroe (You can't be serious!). If, after my next big trip, I still have a problem I'll have the airbags fitted.

Nomad246 · Senior Member

Hi Grahame,

If you're keeping your Pathfinder long term for around $300 + fitting as I've previously advised I'd go the Polyairs.

If a short term keep, return on investment may be an issue.

Without ever weighing my offroad trailer I would have estimated it had a towball weight of around 300 to 400Kgs on the Patrol. Never used WDH and yet Patrol ride height was level. Did ride firm over bumps though.

All the best with your Pathfinder and van

Cheers

justcruisin01 · Guru

Nomad246 wrote

Grahame, I should also mention that the advice of 'stronger shocks' will not do a thing to carry a load.
Cheers

Totaly correct, shocks control rebound not carry load

JC.

jimricho · Guru

I've never heard of tennis balls. I've heard of tennis elbow.

blaze · Guru

The tennis balls will do as your mechanic sugested, it has been used as emergency for faled springs. Get the airbags fitted
cheers
blaze

jimricho · Guru

blaze wrote:
The tennis balls will do as your mechanic sugested, it has been used as emergency for faled springs. Get the airbags fitted
cheers
blaze

I'm with blaze on this one. I've had air bags and after-market heavy duty suspension fitted to both the Pajero (in my avatar photo) and my previous vehicle.

jimricho · Guru

justcruisin01 wrote:
Nomad246 wrote

Grahame, I should also mention that the advice of 'stronger shocks' will not do a thing to carry a load.
Cheers
Totaly correct, shocks control rebound not carry load
JC.

At the risk of being one of the village pedants, it's interesting to note that the Americans refer to shock absorbers as dampers. Technically this is more correct as it's the springs that absorb the shock and the "dampers" that damp out the action of the springs as alluded to by Jim (JC01)

However as a mere mortal I'm happy to call them "shock absorbers", "shocks", "shockies" or whatever.

Baz421 · Guru

Easy solution is higher rated springs.

I had a Pajero for 11 years with uprated ARB springs so back was level (ie original unladen weight height) when upder load. Solved the problem.