Airbags on my TD5

Hi, this is my first post so treat me gently ,

I have just bought a low mileage discovery td5 xs and it has been converted to springs, I want it convert it back to original airbags.
1. Is this possible ?
2. What are the possible pitfalls?

Thanks . Tony .

why was it converted to springs. did sumat expensive break

Hi Hook , thanks for the reply, I dont know I have only just bought it and as part of the deal the garage said that they would do all the work necessary. I need it done because i live in Northern Ireland and there are big MOT issues with disco spring conversions. OH it is a 2001 with 59000 on the clock and a full service history.

Hi

If the garage would put the air back then that would be excellent. You need a compressor, about £300, 2 bags at about £80, off ebay. Maybe just over £100 from LR. The compressor could still be in place. It's on the chassis below the drivers seat. There are also 2 height sensors for the self levelling.They could still be there also. There are air lines required that run from the compressor to the bags.Could still be there also. Once all the parts are in place, the ECU needs to be re-set to air using Nanaocom or similar.

If the compressor is still there it could be faulty though as the air system was removed for a reason. A new one might be better.

The car sounds very good with that low mileage.

For information, I live in Belfast and I know someone with a D2 that has been converted to springs. They have no problem whatsoever with the NI MOT. BLRC fitted the springs.


Cheers

Andy

Hi Andy thanks s lot for the info I very much appreciate it. And the MOT info is great news to me as well but I think I still would like it back on air. Cheers Tony .

Treadlox said:

Hi Andy thanks s lot for the info I very much appreciate it. And the MOT info is great news to me as well but I think I still would like it back on air. Cheers Tony .

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Hi Tony,

I really like the air suspension on my TD5. It's particularly good for towing as the car stays level and I can raise the suspension at the back to help the boat off the trailer. Despite it having a reputation for being unreliable, the parts are relatively cheap and the airbags can last a long time. I think the compressor fails as it burns itself out trying to keep faulty air bags inflated.

BLRC, the independant Land Rover specialist at Saintfield are pretty decent. I've found them to be honest and charge realistic prices for jobs. They will also give advice over the phone. I've read posts on forums from others with the same positive experience. Good to know if anything major crops up.

Cheers

Andy

there is a discovery two in a breakers at shirebrook notts. it has been hit from the side hard but the guy who has it isnt up on the prices of the parts that well cos i bought the rear hydraulic step off the rear for £20 ! it was compleat but the engine and box had been sold but not removed at the time.

Fantastic I will ring them first thing in the morning. That was some stroke of luckyou had there, a complete step for 20 smackers, well done. Cheers for the info.

vivnap said:

there is a discovery two in a breakers at shirebrook notts. it has been hit from the side hard but the guy who has it isnt up on the prices of the parts that well cos i bought the rear hydraulic step off the rear for £20 ! it was compleat but the engine and box had been sold but not removed at the time.

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Hi Andy, yes mate I agree, I do want it back on air, its the way it came and to me thats important. I like to keep things original even if there is a little cost involved, tell me this is the anything on the market like protective cover or boot that could help protect the bags? If not I imagine that a simple 5mm neprene tube could be just the job, just the same as my wetsuits are made of you know its multi directional stretch affair. As the compressor burning uot that exactly what I`ve been told, you do have to keep an eye out for leaks.

I have a couple friends that used to be in the land rover club, they might still be . They have used BLRC a lot and they have told me nothing but good things about them. I have actually been up to Ballynalto quarry with them in the past. Chances are I`d say that you know them.

Well cheers Andy, all the best .

Tony.

andymach23 said:

Hi Tony,

I really like the air suspension on my TD5. It's particularly good for towing as the car stays level and I can raise the suspension at the back to help the boat off the trailer. Despite it having a reputation for being unreliable, the parts are relatively cheap and the airbags can last a long time. I think the compressor fails as it burns itself out trying to keep faulty air bags inflated.

BLRC, the independant Land Rover specialist at Saintfield are pretty decent. I've found them to be honest and charge realistic prices for jobs. They will also give advice over the phone. I've read posts on forums from others with the same positive experience. Good to know if anything major crops up.

Cheers

Andy

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Treadlox said:

is the anything on the market like protective cover or boot that could help protect the bags? If not I imagine that a simple 5mm neprene tube could be just the job, just the same as my wetsuits are made of you know its multi directional stretch affair.

Click to expand...

Tony

Sorry, I haven't noticed anything like this. I have read that they tend to leak where there is a fold in the bag, to do with the off road raise feature. Maybe this fold collects grit and wears out? I've wondered myself if they can be repaired, like the tubes on a R.I.B, but with them being available for less than £80 off Ebay, I'm resigned to getting some new ones eventually. The unfortunate thing is that if one fails the car could be disabled which is not good if I'm towing the boat somewhere.

Cheers

Andy

I have just read and corrected all the spelling and grammar on my previous email. I rushed it sorry.

andymach23 said:

Tony

Sorry, I haven't noticed anything like this. I have read that they tend to leak where there is a fold in the bag, to do with the off road raise feature. Maybe this fold collects grit and wears out? I've wondered myself if they can be repaired, like the tubes on a R.I.B, but with them being available for less than £80 off Ebay, I'm resigned to getting some new ones eventually. The unfortunate thing is that if one fails the car could be disabled which is not good if I'm towing the boat somewhere.

Cheers

Andy

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The unfortunate thing is that if one fails the car could be disabled which is not good if I'm towing the boat somewhere.


I Wouldn't worry about that, I changed one myself earlier this year, It took about fifteen minutes and I didn't even have to remove the wheel. Easier than changing a headlight bulb.

All this advice is fantastic. Thanks. Tony .

aviator said:

The unfortunate thing is that if one fails the car could be disabled which is not good if I'm towing the boat somewhere.


I Wouldn't worry about that, I changed one myself earlier this year, It took about fifteen minutes and I didn't even have to remove the wheel. Easier than changing a headlight bulb.

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