starider

Hi, I purchased all the rear and front bushes from www.spring-loaded.co.uk. I had the front bushes and lower wishbones fitted[purchased from the afor mentioned] when our Alphard had it's recent MOT, to remove the advisory on the front and rear bushes. The garage did the front suspension, but advised having the rear ones done prior 2024 MOT as they were still OK. They did say the rears are quite a big job!! Normally I would have done the work myself, but the 4 poster has a vehicle on it and there is much to do around the farm. Email: Info@spring-loaded.co.uk I recommend this company as they have supplied me with Japanese suspension parts for years [also they are just down the lane from me]. We have huge potholes down our way, so over the recent years I have had to replace numerous broken coil springs!

Hi Rojie, no need to apologise, it's difficult to keep up with all the different "things" that seem to alter, usually without being broadcast.

Hi Rojie, If a number is purchased from the DVLA, the purchase price paid includes either the retension fee or the assignment to a vehicle fee,which ever comes first.I also have another personal plate which my family gave me 30years ago for my 50th Birthday. It has been transfered to every vehicle I have owned since. If anyone wishes to transfer a reg.number from one vehicle to another or retain a number the current cost is £80.

Hi, Today I have fitted our new personal reg. to the Alphard. I was extremely impressed how seamless the process was. Firstly I would recommend purchasing a number from the DVLA..gov, not one of the many listed under a similar banner. The DVLA have hundreds for sale from £250. If you go onto the DVLA site and go through the process you will find dozens of numbers for sale,some coming up for auction or make up your own. it takes a little practice to find how it works Choose your number,enter it and DVLA tells you if it's OK. You then pay for it, it is then assigned to you. You receive an immediate receipt which also confirms you now have title to that number.The number is then registered to you.You can either put it on a vehicle immediately or retain it for several years. When we received the receipt we immediately assigned it to the Alphard,Saturday through the post the document arrived in the post and i was able this morning to go to my Auto Parts store[Pat Williams] where they made up the plates and I fitted them after lunch. You have to inform your insurance company of the reg.change .You will not receive a new MOT Test Certificate.The new reg will appear on you next renewal.

You're welcome.

The ride has been much improved,no sign of any negative difference.

Yes,Although the set I purchased contained shock absorbers,they were purchased from the same supplier. I checked back to when I ordered them in 2021. You will note we both had them fitted by local garage, as the rear flexible brake hoses had to be disconnected to allow the suspension to be"swung" down far enough to remove the old and install the new[plenty of muscle was needed].

On looking at the symbol in the red light, looks like a stylized key?? perhaps the security is the fact the ignition has been turned off?

Sorry to contradict, but the springs although stronger were longer when put beside the ones removed, not by a great deal, but definitely longer enough to make fitting difficult. Interestingly when I purchased my kit there were a pair of new shock absorbers with the springs. That accounts for the ebay number I gave not working,as from the number given by Picasso is for the springs alone. I didn't fit the shocks as the ones on the Alphard are still OK, plus I didn't fancy dismantling"stuff to get at the top of the towers.

Yep, that's the one. noticed it in the past, but it does not always appear. No reference at all in the Drivers Hand Book as to it's purpose or what security it provides. Anyone any ideas?

Hi, I note Picasso has provided a number which I assume means he has obtained a set. If you read my post re.the fitment you will note I found it impossible compress both the old springs and certainly not the longer HD springs. My local garage did the job successfully with much heaving by several mechanics!! I have just towed our caravan from St.Mawes in Cornwall,adding the nose weight of the caravan did not "push" down the rear of the Alphard in anyway,as far as we could see so the HD springs do a good job. We had a nice easy drive home, a slight drop in speed on the steeper parts of the A30 but a good tow at between 50 and 60 with no swing on the caravan. I've towed many types of trailer with many different vehicles and the Alphard is one of the best, second only to my Morris 1800[Land crab] which I owned during the 1980s. The most difficult to tow was a single axle, around 25/30ft long, which contained a Sailplane. I've been taken to task in the past about the length of this trailer, but my excuse, it was over 40years ago!! What I'm trying to say is the Alphard is a good steady towing vehicle. If you can't find the springs I'll try to find the box the HDs came in and see if there is a label still on it.

The camper recently passed it's MOT again. I had the front suspension parts replaced' which removed the advisory,but the manager advised leaving the rear bushes as they had not deteriorated any further since last year,so will check next year. I have the new bushes to do this work in stock as they will only go up in price!!

Hi, Suddenly noticed a red indicator on the dash in one of the clocks when the ignition is turned off. Having searched the hand book I found that this indicates that Security devices have been activated, but I couldn't find anywhere what these devices are or do. Does anyone know?

How about knowing how to contact jpnz and we all contact them about AH20 Workshop manuals? and then keep nagging if nothing is forth cominng!

Hi, Check the tail pipe for signs of water when engine is hot. Also look around where the cylinder head meets the cylinder block for any water leaks. Another check is the transmission oil for contamination. We don't have access at present to any form of workshop manual! There could be core plugs on the rear of the engine block between the block and the transmission. Good luck with your investigations.

You may or may not have read my posts regarding altering Alphard wheels/suspension. The Alphard you have just purchased looks identical to my own. You would be be best spending your money on converting yours to a camper using one of the converters[mentioned on the forums posts etc.]My personal and the Wifes opinion is that the ride and noise levels is/are excellent and certainly do not produce the teeth rattling of a hard suspension and elastic band tyres. But of course"everyone to their own".

I have written this on the campers forum, but is applicable on all Alphards. Last year when tested, my Alphard Camper produced 2 advisories, one for the front suspension [both sides]and one for the rear [both sides]. I immediately ordered the necessary mountings and both front bottom wishbones[the joints could have been ordered separately], but as I anticipated doing the work myself it would be much easier the fit the complete wishbones. Unfortunately I had a major operation in June and got so behind whilst recovering, with other work,I gave the task to my MOT garage, Red Post, BUDE. They suggested that as the mileage during the year was quite low, it would probably still be OK. The Alphard passed with now one advisory, as we agreed to replace both sides front suspension. The rear bushes will be replaced around April next year when the garage is less busy. I had purchased all the necessary parts last year, so it was just fitting and the MOT to pay for. It cost £320 labour and included the MOT Test, which I consider good value as some of the mounting bolts had been fitted from manufacture, downwards and the engine had to be lifted to gain access. Glad I didn't do the work myself!!

I agree with most of what Rojie has said,but personally fail to see how lowering the suspension improves a vehicles "look". All this messing about with ride height began many many years ago with the "fad" arriving from the US. At around the time, I was still managing a dealership and parts store and began to be approached by young folks asking about our workshop and if these mods could be carried out by our workshop. We could not even consider messing about with any modification which took a vehicle "away" from it's original specification. Around that time the magazine Practical Car Mechanics used our workshop for strip downs etc.for their magazine articles. My hands appeared in many editions.

My original post has certainly caused some controversy, but I hope in a good way. Is it possible someone could tell me/us in all honesty why it is seen to be a good idea to lower/raise suspensions? Is it a form of posing, copying, trying to set a trend, I[and others] would love a definitive answer. I have rejoined this topic because today I saw near to Bude a lovely VW Camper, so low to the ground with the tops of the wheels/tyres behind the wheel arch bodywork. There was almost no suspension movement and it seemed to vibrate along the road surface,the ride must have been awful. Any comments please. Again my plea, if your Alphard has lowered or altered suspension, check your insurance company knows.

Hi, Is there any sign of the long awaited Workshop Manual for the 2004-2008 Alphard. There was "talk" of one in the pipeline a couple of years ago.

Hi, I may have banged on before about insurance,but reading through recent posts, there are many new members with discussions about modifications such as altering wheels,lowering suspension etc. It is important to know that any alterations/modifications from the factory specifications for your Alphard could render your insurance invalid,so any modifications[s]/alterations from standard need to be informed to your insurance company. During my many,many years of involvement around and in the motor trade I have seen insurance claims be dismissed because of un-reported mods[even worn tyres,] The list goes on! I have a Morris Minor Van which has disc brakes fitted,anti roll bar &,5 speed gear box which had to be registered with my insurance company. These mods improve the handling and safety of the vehicle and did not affect my premiums. All the campers/vans on the road with strange looking wheels and elastic bands for tyres, I understand are illegal. Their fitment should be informed/checked with the insurance company,otherwise in the case of an accident the owner may not be covered and the insurance company will not pay out.

I find that the headlamps still produce v.good light even though the lens v.slightly yellowed. The cleaner I use only takes about 5mins to clean each h/lamp, so no real problem once a year. The units are so expensive and as my night driving is a minute amount of time,I'll keep up the annual clean.

Hi, Just wondering how many of you have[like my Alphard]have h/light lens that are turning yellow/opaque due to being exposed in Japan to v.strong sunlight. MOT Testers are beginning put the fact on Test Certificates as an Advisory.Before the MOT last year I used a product which was a spray-on foam which was then buffed to give a clear lens again. I will do this again just before the test this year to ensure a pass. The product I used is: ROADSIDE RES Q! CLEAR LENS SINGLE STEP Headlamp Restoration. It is a USA Product which was all over Ebay at the time. There are other types available. I have used this product on different plastic lens on different vehicles which work well, but each year I have done another buff.

Totally agree with Arthur, the Caravan and Motorhome Club has always been second to none, have been members[on and off, originally The Caravan Club]since the 1970s. Well organised sites,good facilities,always offers/competitions, comprehensive insurances especially for members and a monthly informative magazine. Hassle free booking system. Excellent site Wardens throughout the club.

Hi, could be that the wire from the L/H indicator circuit to the socket has become disconnected from the L/H Ind circuit.Worth undoing the 2 bolts that hold in the L/H rear light cluster and pulling off the whole cluster, you should find the wire to the socket for the bike rack indicator[yellow]. Check the connection at both ends. If there is no obvious problem, put in a temporary wire and see if that works.If it works make the temporary wire permanent. Hope this helps.