Air to Coil Springs or not???

Hi all

My TD5 has dropped its backside on the floor & needs a new compressor (no air goes in at all).

My other half says I should get the suspension changed to coil springs (because that's what he did with one he had once & his defender has them...hmm??)

What I would really like to know from you guys is have you had it done, what are the pros & cons & any regrets?

Thanks very much in advance

ive converted quite a few to coils with no complaints most seem to prefer it as i do ride and handling ,though you do lose the ability to drop back end for trailer coupling etc ,check with insurance ,coil kit is cheap and easy to fit by most diyers

You definetly need to check with insurance, mine refused to pay out on claim when assesor spotted conversion.
Mine was a seven seater and they said the modification did not conform with vehicle type approval for seven seater but would be ok on a 5 seater.

tugem said:

You definetly need to check with insurance, mine refused to pay out on claim when assesor spotted conversion.
Mine was a seven seater and they said the modification did not conform with vehicle type approval for seven seater but would be ok on a 5 seater.

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yes,all the 7 seaters have air as standard,its optional on the 5 seaters,I have heard of insurance issues before.

are you sure it's the compresor? cos if it dropped suddenly i have serious doubts... if it went down slowly in time you should have observed that the compressor doesnt work before it reached the bumps. It could be a management/sensor issue....your choice though...i'm the total opponent of coil conversion... but that's just my oppinion

Disco Air suspension is not too complicated to maintain and fix, Parts are cheap and you are able to repair the compressor as well.

No need to get rid of a very nice suspension.

Definitely keep the air! If you do ever tow it's brilliant. As said you can't beat it when it's working but it will probably need attention from time to time.

Dave

horses for courses ,coils ride better imo

jamesmartin said:

horses for courses ,coils ride better imo

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My horse says air is better

Silverlandy said:

My horse says air is better

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Having ridden on coils and owning one on air I'll take the air

Yep, I agree, having had one of each the air suspension is superior. But not by much. The coils give nearly as good a ride as the air.

You really have to weigh up the costs. If your air suspension has an easy fix, then perhaps stick with it. But it's inevitable that things go wrong from time to time on it: the compressor, the airbags, the electrics and whatever. Put coils in and that's pretty much it, there's nothing to go wrong.

So you pays your money and takes your choice.

My last D2 had air, the one I have now has coils. The ride with the coils can be a little harsher, but the payoff being it's one less thing to worry about. Six of one, half a dozen of the other

Thank you all so much for the info. Think I'll be sticking with the air, my horse would probably vote on that too as I do tow. Just need to save the pennies to get it done. Now to tell him indoors of my decision........

Fix the air but with a different compressor. Firestone do some that would be up to the job for sub 150quid and are relativly easy to swap out.

Air is good, my disco is 10 years old I have only changed rear air springs at 8 years old

If you do a bit of heavy towing, you can fit heavy duty coils.