Disco II Air suspension – the definitive guide

that i dont know im afraid, ive only borrowed one a while ago...hopefully Santa will bring me one!!

Ask Urban Panzer-he'll know...

Hi,

Just another quick question re the air suspension.

I am fitting a new compressor but haven't made note of which air pipe goes to which solenoid valve, and which way round the white and blue plugs to the solenoid valves go, as they seem to be interchangeable.

Could anybody confirm which of the two valves inside the air compressor housing is for left and which for right? Ie the one closest to front = ?, furthest back = ?, and which way round the blue and white plugs go?

Many thanks!

David

it tells you in haynes I think...

Heh, all I can find in mine is the infamous "Note their fitted positions then slowly undo the unions and disconnect..."

Which sadly isnt much help when you are replacing something that had been removed altogether by the previous owner (yeah, thanks for that, whoever you are), along with the 'specialist' who decided to just sever the air pipes rather than unscrew them from the springs when the coil conversion kit was fitted.

David

there was a thread on discoweb.org about this install/uninstall ...

To help anyone else that comes across this thread:

According to RAVE, the air valve nearest the front of the compressor unit is for the left hand air spring. The furthest valve back is for the right hand air spring.

Electrical connections: Blue plug to air valve closest the front, natural colour to the furthest one back.

I have a cylindrical box that has lines running from the compressor into it. Then the line go to the airbags. What is the name of this box, and do I need it? It is cracked and my suspension is not working at all. Any help or info would be greatly appreciated. I can find the thing anywhere on the web. thanks

If you look at the hoses coming out of the compressor box, there are a total of four - two thin ones and two larger ones.

The two thin ones go behind the cylindrical housing (and not actually through it) and these are the ones that go to the air springs. The larger two are the ones that plug into the cylindrical housing.

The cylindrical housing is an intake/exhaust muffler and reduces noise from the compressor, according to Rave.

If it is cracked, it will mean that the compressor will potentially suck up water and dust etc and will likely seize up, which may be what has happened to you? The crack in that housing won't affect the air OUTPUT from the compressor directly, as the output hoses go to the air springs direct.

David

well it has been snowing and raining a lot here too. Is there a way to check the compressor?

David Pye said:

I am currently in the process of going back to air suspension from coils for insurance and towing reasons and because I carry a lot of heavy diving kit in the boot and heaving self-levelling suspension is something that will be handy for me.

However: I haven't got access to nanocom (or anything else yet), so need a bit of advice.

I have a new compressor, new air 'looms', a pair of ride height sensors (both were broken >:-( ) and a pair of new air springs.

The car is currently set to coil, so when I chuck this lot on, it won't try to inflate the bags. Can I drive it to the local indy like this, with flat springs, or is it completely undriveable in this state?

Cheers,

David

Click to expand...

I got a hunch Nanocom wont calibrate air suspension, best find out before you invest.

Just a quick answer - nanocom can raise/lower/calibrate the air suspension (SLABS) ecu

WRT testing the compressor, I'd do a couple of things:

I presume you have noticed the off-road mode adjustment doesn't work.

Check the engine compartment fusebox that the fusible links aren't blown - if the compressor seizes, this usually results in a blown fusible link.

If the fusible link looks OK, open the compressor cover, and find the main compressor power connector - it's at the back of the compressor, and has heavy gauge wiring. With the ignition on, all doors shut (inc boot+bonnet) get somebody to press the ORM button, and check to see if any volts appear on this connector - if they do, but when connected the compressor doesn't work, it's (probably) dead.

Alternatively, you could take it off the car and supply it with 12V itself and see if it spins up or not - I would disconnect the centre air pipe from the valve block to save the compressor from trying to pump against a pair of closed valves if I were you.

David

OK, I've read the guide and many other bits and pieces. My problem is sort of a mix of the guides troubleshooting advice.

My disco drops overnight on both sides equally, it used to take about 5 minutes of idle to rise to normal road height and then remained fine during use. It is equal on both sides and I can't find a leak anywhere. However, I nipped the three unions in the compressor unit because they felt quite loose, by about half a turn, and now it stills falls overnight but rises in a matter of seconds...!

I was all set to order the bags but now I'm not sure it is the bags, or the compressor, or a tiny leak, or what....?

Please help.

G

first thing, get some VERY soapy water, work into a thick lather rather than foamy water & smother the air bags in it like your lubing up ya missus boobs...any leaks will be apparent by bubbling through from the nipples, sorry air bags.
to be honest if they both drop completely equal its prob elsewhere unless both bags have a hole an identical size

hello all,
i posted a thread in the disco section re air susp. then came across this thread.. i, like you all here am having problems with the air susp. i am strongly thinking of converting to coils shes outta action at the moment sitting right down this is the second time in a year both bags are shagged am i doing the right thing converting? what are the pro's/cons? need to know soon as i have no wheels and need to be back on the road/field asap. thanks in advance

personally i like the bags...did you use genuine bags..some aftermarket ones are shocking

yes genuine LR bags and at 365 euro a piece im begining to think coils are the way forward... thats why im puttin out the question.. im by no means an expert... but i have the ability to take something apart and put it back together( sometimes with no parts left over ) but i figure theres alot of guys that know better here and have encountered this before so all info is much appreciated cheers

Hi Batenberg,
The explanation of the functioning is great, but it does not mention what the cause may be when the machine sits down on both sides and returns to normal after running the motor for a minute or so.
On normal daily use it is not a feature as it seems to sink only when not in use for about 3/4 days.-It is a 1999 disco II 7 seater.[
Your extended wisdom will help defend mainstealer attack.
Main thanks
New User

new user said:

Hi Batenberg,
The explanation of the functioning is great, but it does not mention what the cause may be when the machine sits down on both sides and returns to normal after running the motor for a minute or so.
On normal daily use it is not a feature as it seems to sink only when not in use for about 3/4 days.-It is a 1999 disco II 7 seater.[
Your extended wisdom will help defend mainstealer attack.
Main thanks
New User

Click to expand...

Your airbags have become porus, replace them.

Thought as much but hoped for a lesser issue
Thanks

In fairness, it's a (relatively) cheap fix compared to the expense of changing the compressor.

I got a pair of springs from island4x4 via eBay - easy fit.
PS Get 2 pairs of the metal retaining clips that hold the springs in place at the top - you'll regret it if you don't.


David