Air suspension

Hello all I would like some info on changeing air bags on a P38 97 plate.My car sits low when left overnight and the sound of escaping air leads me to think I have a leak.Also doe's anyone know where to buy them at a reasonable price.Thanks.

Look at Range Rovers. There are a couple of how-to's on airsprings.

Check for leaks elsewhere first too (hoses, valve blocks etc, but if the springs are original they will probably need replacing by now)

Couple of the guys on here have done how-to's, but posts get lost in the Range Rover forum as there are no stickies here(??). Try the search function as those posts (2-3 months ago) were damn useful.

Did one of my rears today after changing all my shocks. Things I had trouble with were:

1. Rusty clips:
- long nose molegrips pulled the top one out eventually.
- the bottom one snapped in place so having tried to drive it out with a punch (which I broke...) in the end I used a big pry bar to rip the bottom of the spring loose of the housing on the axle (the chunk of metal that the spring sits on is man enough for that and the levering simply ripped the remnants of the lower retaining clip out).

2. Getting the top of the spring loose where it attaches to the chassis was also a pain as you can't really lever between the chassis and the body to force the top of the spring down (no room and the body's floor has too much "flex" to use it as a pivot for a pry bar). Use a small pry bar from underneath the spring (levering the top of the spring free of the housing in the chassis...there's bugger all space so it has to be a small pry bar...you will wreck the top of the spring doing this) and a lot more force than you think possible. It'll come, but it took me 30 min's of sweating and swearing.

First thing I did was clean up and Hammerite all the scratches I'd made around the spring housing

Places like Island 4x4, Paddocks etc sell airsprings for about £65 each - I got some nearly new second hand ones from a small ad in a Land-Rover magazine for £30 each, but I was lucky.

Malcolm

Edited: for clarity

Island 4x4 are doing them for under 50 quid the now.

Datatek sent me a written set of instructions on how to change air springs, made it pretty simple.

Before you start get wheel chocks, two jacks, one a fairly high lift one, some good axle stands and, if you don't wear specs, some goggles. You might find yourself using hammers, chisels, pry bars and brute force to get the old bags out so make sure that the car is well supported before you start.

The bags are only held in with clips top and bottom but these are probably rusted so buy a new set when you get your bags.

Then talk nicely to one of the senior members on here who can sell you a cd of the software and the computer lead to clear any faults and set up set up the suspension. You shouldn't need this just to change the bags but you will probaly need it at some time so you're as well getting it now. Some of these guys, Datatek for example, might also provide an idiots guide to doing the job.

It is not difficult, it was the first job that I did on my Rangie before I really knew the car and I did the rears in one afternoon, with plenty of cuppa and thinking pauses.

redkevlar said:

Hello all I would like some info on changeing air bags on a P38 97 plate.My car sits low when left overnight and the sound of escaping air leads me to think I have a leak.Also doe's anyone know where to buy them at a reasonable price.Thanks.

Click to expand...

I can send you a guide with photo's, I can also supply you with a cable and the EAS software suite on CD, you just need a laptop and maybe a USB to serial adaptor. Not a good idea to try changing them without having the software to hand.
Personally I think Arnott Gen 2 airbags are worth the small extra cost, you can find them at P38 Spares and on Ebay

I'm seriously considering taking mine off the road for a while and completely renewing/ refurbing the eas, even if things arent broke i would renew it I.e seals etc. What would be the going rate for all the parts required. I'm thinking of uprated bags. Also I never hear on here the airlines giving anyone problems is it worth replacing these just for good measure. Thanks guys.

Datatek - quick question re. your leads.

I saw on Fleabay last night that someone has started selling EAS suspension leads with a USB plug, not a serial plug.

Range Rover P38 EAS USB Air suspension diagnostic cable | eBay UK

Although it's probably must of a muchness about them working effectively, can you supply those as it seems a neater solution...and I like neat things!!

Given the choice I'd rather buy from a fellow enthusiast even if it was for a few quid more, especially as you make a contribution to Storey Wilson for the EAS software...

Cheers,

Malcolm

malcolm_durant said:

Datatek - quick question re. your leads.

I saw on Fleabay last night that someone has started selling EAS suspension leads with a USB plug, not a serial plug.

Range Rover P38 EAS USB Air suspension diagnostic cable | eBay UK

Although it's probably must of a muchness about them working effectively, can you supply those as it seems a neater solution...and I like neat things!!

Given the choice I'd rather buy from a fellow enthusiast even if it was for a few quid more, especially as you make a contribution to Storey Wilson for the EAS software...

Cheers,

Malcolm

Click to expand...

I see it's coming from Bulgaria! To make a USB interface requires hardware and drivers, effectively all they have done is put the USB to serial converter in the OBD connector housing. As far as I'm concerned it's a no no, too many variables as to which systems it may or may not work on. Look at all the threads on Vista with USB to serial converters not working.

I bought mine from bulgaria,I think the sellers ebay name was mima,no problems at all,USB lead and software,windows7 compatable 100% reliable