Products
Suspension systems, especially when referring to 4WDs, are extremely complex. Determining the right solution for each 4WD requires special attention to many factors, with weight being the most critical. Old Man Emu 4×4 suspension by ARB approaches this in a unique way.
The Concept:
When an emu (flightless Australian bird) runs, its powerful legs absorb most of the impact, allowing it to move over all types of terrain while its body remains virtually motionless. This is what Old Man Emu strives to achieve with its range of fully integrated 4×4 shocks and suspension systems.
The Difference:
Instead of offering a compilation of parts that have been chosen primarily to increase the vehicle’s ride height, OME 4×4 suspension provides a range of tuned and matched integrated systems, each offering optimum levels of comfort, load carrying capability and control characteristics.
The Outcome:
Prototype shock absorbers and springs are tested and modified in a variety of terrains and with varying loads to ensure that each shock and spring combination is ideally suited to a vehicle, its varying weights and the terrain it is to encounter.
Old Man Emu suspension – specialised, integrated 4WD suspension systems.
BP-51 Bypass Shock Absorbers
The new BP-51 range of high performance, bypass shock absorbers is the result of an exhaustive development process aimed at delivering the ultimate in both comfort and control.
Designed, developed and tested entirely in-house by ARB’s team of Old Man Emu ride engineers, BP-51 shock absorbers are vehicle specific and utilise existing mounting locations to provide easy installation without the need for additional vehicle modification.
Unlike most other adjustable shock absorbers, which provide adjustment for compression only, the BP-51 range allows on vehicle, independent adjustability of both rebound and compression to offer class leading ride customisation that can be tailored to individual vehicle or trip requirements.
Bypass Technology
In addition to the velocity sensitive damping used in most shock absorbers, where the faster the piston moves, the higher the level of damping is generated, BP-51 shock absorbers also generate damping dependent on the position of the piston within the shock absorber’s body via their bypass design.
While most shock absorbers only generate damping based on fluid flowing through the piston, the BP-51 offers an alternative path from one chamber to the other, around the piston in the form of bypass passages. Some fluid flows through the piston and some fluid bypasses around the piston in the bypass passages.
This results in an ability for the shock absorber to provide the best of both worlds, with a comfortable and compliant ride during normal driving and a more controlled ride over more challenging terrain. With greater levels of damping generated at each end of the stroke, the piston slows as it approaches full compression and extension, preventing harsh topping out against the bump stop and allowing larger bumps and corrugations to be absorbed more easily.
Development and Manufacturing
All BP-51 shock absorbers are manufactured in-house by ARB. In order to achieve this, significant investment has been made in state of the art machining and hard anodising equipment, allowing ARB total control of the process to ensure the highest possible quality.
BP-51 shock absorber bodies are manufactured using aircraft grade (6061) anodised aluminium to dissipate heat more efficiently than steel or alloy steel and provide superior corrosion resistance.
Extensive lab, real world and destructive testing has been undertaken during the development process to ensure that reliability, longevity and performance all meet ARB’s impeccable standards.
NITROCHARGER SPORT SHOCK ABSORBERS
The latest addition to Old Man Emu’s 4WD suspension range, Nitrocharger Sport is the most advanced and innovative 4×4 shock absorber on the market, and is now available for a range of vehicles. Designed by a dedicated team of OME ride control engineers through an exhaustive vehicle specific development program, Nitrocharger Sport 4×4 shock absorbers deliver the best control, durability and most comfortable ride over all terrain.
Features:
- Engineered for both on road drivability and off road touring
- Durability proven under extensive laboratory and Outback testing, supported by scientific data logging
- Instantaneously adapts to the terrain
- The most finely tuned 4×4 shock absorber on the market, with all valving work carried out in Australia by OME’s ride control engineers
- Dramatically improved low and high speed control for increased comfort and control over all road surfaces
- Fully compatible with OME’s extensive range of springs, bushes and hardware for a complete integrated 4WD suspension system
- Back-up from more than 120 authorised outlets Australia-wide, and also supported by ARB’s international dealer network
- 3 year, 60,000km warranty
- Made in Australia
NITROCHARGER SHOCK ABSORBERS
Nitrocharger 4×4 shock absorbers were specifically designed with Australia’s unique driving conditions in mind, where vehicles are often heavily loaded, fitted with accessories and driven on harsh, Outback roads for prolonged periods.
Old Man Emu engineers specialise in nothing else but 4WD suspension systems, and it’s this experience in setting the most appropriate valving that really differentiates the Nitrocharger from its competitors. In many cases, several shock absorber applications will be listed for one vehicle to ensure the proper match regardless of spring selection, accessory fitment or load carrying requirements. And while OME Nitrochargers will improve overall performance when fitted with standard springs, more substantial benefits can be achieved with fitted in conjunction with Old Man Emu springs, for a complete, integrated 4WD suspension system.
Emu Dakar Leaf Springs
Part of ARB’s integrated 4×4 suspension systems, Emu Dakar leaf springs are engineered to provide optimum ride performance irrespective of the operating conditions the vehicle’s suspension is required to work under.
Numerous spring options are available to suit a multitude of applications, allowing you to set your vehicle up for recreational or commercial purposes. Feature packed, a set of Emu Dakar leaf springs matched to a set of Old Man Emu 4×4 shock absorbers will deliver vastly improved ride, handling and load carrying capability.
- Draw tapered and diamond cut leaves: Ensure the load is progressively distributed over a larger surface area, reducing the high stresses that develop at leaf ends. This provides increased ride quality and protection against leaf breakage, significantly increasing the spring life.
- Bolt clamps and liners: The leaf clamps are bolted to allow installation of anti squeak nylon liners.
- Fully scragged and load tested: Scragging ensures the spring takes a permanent ‘set’ which reduces the risk of sagging. Load testing ensures the spring meets the required specification.
- Military wrap: Designed to provide added safety.
- Anti friction pads: Regreasable nylon interleaf liners reduce friction at the leaf tips where the load is the greatest.
- Flat axle seat area: Allows a positive, safe axle mount reducing spring stress and increasing spring life.
- Shot peening: The tension side of all leaves is shot peened to reduce spring stress. This process can double the life of a spring.
- Two-stage leaf pack: Featured on most rear springs for optimum comfort. When unladen the vehicle is largely riding on the primary stage, with the secondary stage providing additional support when a heavy load is added.
PLEASE NOTE: Most Emu Dakar leaf springs have all the listed features, but where design or a physical limitation exists, one or more of these features may not be incorporated. Please check with your OME licensed fitter for further information.
COIL SPRINGS
When undertaking 4×4 remote area travel, the need to carry sufficient fuel, water, vehicle spares and safety equipment invariably means that your 4WD will be fully loaded, placing a lot of strain on suspension components.
As part of their integrated 4WD suspension systems, Old Man Emu designs a range of coil springs for each vehicle, enabling the installer to match the most appropriate springs to the intended application. While ride height increases are attained, emphasis is placed on ride control improvements. Further fine tuning is achieved when the springs are matched to a corresponding set of Old Man Emu shock absorbers, delivering a fully integrated system designed specifically to suit your vehicle.
- Springs are formed on precision mandrels
- Scragging before and after shot peening to prevent sagging
- Constant and variable rate coils available for multiple applications
- Coil spring end configurations designed to exact specifications guaranteeing perfect fitment to your vehicle
- Durable powder coat finish
TORSION BARS
An important part of your 4WD suspension system, Old Man Emu torsion bars dramatically improve your vehicle’s ride and handling, both on road and off.
They are designed and set for optimum ride performance, while maintaining maximum wheel travel crucial to off road action. Our torsion bars work best when Old Man Emu coil or leaf springs are fitted to the rear of your vehicle, with bars and springs then carefully matched to our premium range of four wheel drive shock absorbers. Together, they’ll transform your vehicle’s suspension performance.
- Manufactured from premium grade spring steel with a resilient powder coat to protect against corrosion
- Precision drawn, dropped forged ends for optimal strength and integrity
- Pressure rolled splines for precise fitment and increased spline durability
- Hardened and tempered to exact specifications for improved performance
- Preset and hardened to prevent sagging and increase life cycle
STEERING STABILISERS
As another integral component of Old Man Emu’s 4WD suspension range, steering stabilisers are designed to reduce the effect of wheel vibration and improve the feel, handling and control of the vehicle. They will also reduce the aggressive rotation of the steering wheel over rough roads without affecting steering wheel return.
- 9 stage coil spring valving: for optimum performance
- 15mm piston rod: stronger than the original
- Steel stone guard: protects the piston rod against stone damage
- 35mm piston and bore: provides increased oil volume
- Twin tube design: protects the internal components against stone damage
- Multi lip seal: prevents oil loss
- Original mounts: for ease of installation original stabiliser mounts are used where appropriate
GREASABLE SHACKLES
Should your Old Man Emu 4WD suspension system include the fitment of Emu Dakar leaf springs, these leaf spring bushes require periodic lubrication to ensure longevity. OME greasable shackles and pins facilitate this task without the need to remove the shackles, thereby greatly reducing the time and effort involved.
- Unique, easy bolt together assembly – this eliminates out of angle ‘shackle pin to side plate’ problems commonly associated with press fit assemblies.
- Each pin has two grease outlet holes to guarantee maximum grease coverage between the shackle pin and the spring bush – increasing bush life and improving ride quality.
- Heat treated pins ensure long pin life under heavy loads and off road conditions
- Side plates are zinc plated for protection against corrosion
BUSHES & HARDWARE
The complete Old Man Emu suspension range incorporates more than just 4×4 shock absorbers and springs. At ARB, we take integration to the highest level with our own selection of bushes, U-bolts, centre bolts, spring liners, trim packers and suspension fitting kits.
Product Options:
- Splined bushes: OME splined bushes are manufactured from the highest quality raw materials, and are precision moulded in captive moulds to ensure exact tolerances.
- Offset correction bushes: Symptoms of incorrect caster include vehicle wander and a vague steering feel. OME’s offset correction bushes permanently cure the problem, and their unique design will ensure durability under the harshest conditions.