Air suspension problem.

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G

GDM

Active Member
Posts
205
Location
West Sussex
The air suspension on the rear of our Discovery seems to be behaving strangely.

When we first got it about about 6 years ago the o/s/r air spring failed and was replaced by a local specialist.

My wife used the car quite a lot yesterday and when I went to go out in it this morning the n/s/r had dropped. I used it for about an hour and a half and it drove fine. When I got home I left it running and sprayed gas leak detector spray all around the spring to see if there were any leaks but nothing at all.

The car stayed on the drive for about 9 hours and the suspension didn't drop at all.

I then used it for a journey of about ten miles, parked the car up and immediately heard air escaping from around the n/s/r area. 5 minutes later the suspension had gone down completely on that side again.

Drove it home, left it on the drive again and 3 hours later the suspension is still fine.

Originally I suspected that the air spring was leaking but as it only drops on some occasions, is it likely to be something else?
 
air bag leak... at the beginning it has the ability to randomly seal itself depending on position ... replace the bag asap cos you may loose the compressor too... the good practice is to replace both bags at the same time but as the other was replaced alone now that's it
 
+1 on the bags, I'd also replace the sensors if they've not been done for over 6 years.

~Paddocks seem the cheapest at present for the bags £131 for two including the two clips, however other companies also sell the bags!:)
 
Small world! Mine too. A couple of times in the past week.

Been studying Battenburgs most excellent post on SLS. Very recomended.

Will be getting new funbags from Paddocks. If problems continue I will look at the sensors (I will check them anyway) but Paddocks seem a bit expensive at £36 each plus vat, so I might look elsewhere for them.
 
Thanks for the information chaps. The bags re-sealing themselves seems to explain what has been happening and I didn't think it could be the sensors otherwise it would still play up when it was running.

It's been messing about again today so I have taken it off the road for now. Will probably replace both the bags, because, thinking about it, the car is now 14 years old and we had the o/s one replaced when we got it 7 years ago. So either the n/s one lasted twice as long, or the previous owner had it replaced just before we got it, in which case the o/s one will be nearing the end of its life again.
 
Just ordered the parts from Island 4x4. Their air springs were about the same price as Paddocks but I also wanted a set of 4 Britpart gas shocks and they were cheaper for these.

They also do Brit Part ride height sensors for £23-00 + VAT, although I haven't ordered these at the moment.
 
GDM said:
Just ordered the parts from Island 4x4. Their air springs were about the same price as Paddocks but I also wanted a set of 4 Britpart gas shocks and they were cheaper for these.

They also do Brit Part ride height sensors for £23-00 + VAT, although I haven't ordered these at the moment.
Click to expand...

Totalparts do the Bearmach height sensors for £20.63 + vat
RQH100030R : Height Sensor : Land Rover Parts Specialists in online sales of Genuine, Original Equipment and Aftermarket Land Rover and Range Rover Parts & Accessories in the UK, Europe and Worldwide
I just bought the last two:)
 
I have just recently been cursed with this issue over the last few weeks in my 2003 disco 2, i was going to remove the air bag system and replace with springs and shocks?? would any of you lads reccommend this?
Or should i just replace both bags?
 
its your choice ive converted quite a few and most prefer the conversion handling wise but you do lose the self leveling,kits are about £80 ish and you need diagnostic kit to switch vehicle to coils from air
 
jamesmartin said:
its your choice ive converted quite a few and most prefer the conversion handling wise but you do lose the self leveling,kits are about £80 ish and you need diagnostic kit to switch vehicle to coils from air
Click to expand...

I have a snap on sous pro.... will it suffice or would i need a landrover specific diagnostic tool?
Thanks for your reply sir :)
 
TheGreyman said:
I have just recently been cursed with this issue over the last few weeks in my 2003 disco 2, i was going to remove the air bag system and replace with springs and shocks?? would any of you lads reccommend this?
Or should i just replace both bags?
Click to expand...

I'm very happy with mine after switching to coils. If I bought another disco I'd do the same again. But then I don't tow or have heavy loads in the car.
 
Hey Orch, thanks for the advice.... i think i will def go ahead and lash the balloons out and go for the shocks / springs, ECU wise was it a big drama? Im an electrical engineer but i dont have a load of experience in vehicle (DC systems) though i will tackle it if it can be done using removal of sensors, connections and maybe my snap on solus pro diagnostic tool.... Anything to save a few quid!! :)
 
I disabled with mine with a nanacom and removed the fuse from the box under the bonnet. Easy. No idea if the snapon jonny can do it. Must be someone near you with a hawkeye or nanocom though, only takes 5 mins. Jobs a goodun. Sold the compressor and bags too to make a few quid :)
 
IMO it's a shame to ruin a well equipped D2 just to save money... but that's just me. I'm wondering what would be if the engine will make tricks... cut out the footwell and drive it like the Flintstones?:D​
​
without jokes... it's just a click to set the ECU for coils but dedicated tester is needed for that.​
 
sierrafery said:
IMO it's a shame to ruin a well equipped D2 just to save money... but that's just me. I'm wondering what would be if the engine will make tricks... cut out the footwell and drive it like the Flintstones?:D​
​
without jokes... it's just a click to set the ECU for coils but dedicated tester is needed for that.​
Click to expand...

I think we'll always disagree on this fery :D
 
sierrafery said:
IMO it's a shame to ruin a well equipped D2 just to save money... but that's just me. I'm wondering what would be if the engine will make tricks... cut out the footwell and drive it like the Flintstones?:D​
​
without jokes... it's just a click to set the ECU for coils but dedicated tester is needed for that.​
Click to expand...

+1 one of the easiest systems to work on.
l tow a lot and would be lost without being able to drop the back end
 
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