Converting back from coils to air suspension

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8

800jimbo

New Member
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Location
Winchester
I bought my 2000/X P38 already converted to springs. I've had a few handling issues :rolleyes: (including ball joints being dangerously loose) but am thinking that if a get to a week where I don't see a several-hundred-pound bill for fixing something maybe I'd think about putting air suspension back on.

Obviously this would be an utterly stupid thing to do, but what sort of ballpark figure would this be? The EAS block is still there but I've no idea what condition it's in or what else is still present. I know the previous owner had suspension problems (obviously why he had it changed about a year ago).

I'm thinking that the loom could be tested, air lines pressure checked and then if all ok it's just a case of bolting on sensors and springs to 4 corners. Easy peasy.
 
Ive also considered this but to do it and not to have all the faults you get with a worn out system youd need to buy most things new, such as air bags,sensors recon pump and valve block... When I added alll this up it was something like £480 just for the parts if not more.... I know folks hate springs blah blah blah yawn! But with coils I can leave it for a month and its sitting exactly where i left it when I come back.... Check out Domino's recent thread that's the pain you get when it fails miles from home....


(the above is my opinion only please keep the abuse to yourself ;) ;))
 
As an aside then - does anyone else with coils find that the handling is odd?

About 10 years ago I had a P38 and don't remember the handling feeling vague like this one. I'm a bit sensitive to it just now having had the steering fail completely the other week (ball joint popped off) but even so it seems to do its on thing a bit on bends. Plus the rear end is a bit crashy off sleeping policemen.
 
800jimbo said:
As an aside then - does anyone else with coils find that the handling is odd?

About 10 years ago I had a P38 and don't remember the handling feeling vague like this one. I'm a bit sensitive to it just now having had the steering fail completely the other week (ball joint popped off) but even so it seems to do its on thing a bit on bends. Plus the rear end is a bit crashy off sleeping policemen.
Click to expand...

Depends if they have ever driven a proper 38. Get it converted back to air :):):)
 
:behindsofa:

Ok here we go... Mine is on coils too. :eek:
Although I intend to put it back on air sometime, I have been really pleased that, on top of all the other bits and pieces that have needed sorting out, I haven't had EAS problems to learn about too. There are, after all, a lot of posts on here about EAS faults.
I'm trying to determine how the electrical bypass was done on mine so that I can switch the EAS on (and off) again and so get all the electrical/sensor type stuff sorted before I get some bags and take the springs off. It's used daily so can't be off the road for days at a time.
I drove a 2A for years before this so even on coils it feels pretty damn good to me ! :p
 
800jimbo said:
As an aside then - does anyone else with coils find that the handling is odd?

About 10 years ago I had a P38 and don't remember the handling feeling vague like this one. I'm a bit sensitive to it just now having had the steering fail completely the other week (ball joint popped off) but even so it seems to do its on thing a bit on bends. Plus the rear end is a bit crashy off sleeping policemen.
Click to expand...

A P38 on coils is a result of several factors. 1. Bad maintenance. 2. An owner who does not have a clue how to fix the EAS. And or 3. A garage that does not have a clue how to fix the EAS. Result coils springs. Think you said the MOT had been done just before the TRE let go. That leads me to the conclusion that the previous owner is friendly with an MOT tester. So give it a good coat of looking at. As for sleeping policemen. Mine is on air and the back end does not like them either this is because unloaded the arse end is much lighter than the front. However i have found that slowing to less than 50 MPH before negotiating them helps. :D:D
 
plumbfisher said:
:behindsofa:

Ok here we go... Mine is on coils too. :eek:
Although I intend to put it back on air sometime, I have been really pleased that, on top of all the other bits and pieces that have needed sorting out, I haven't had EAS problems to learn about too. There are, after all, a lot of posts on here about EAS faults.
I'm trying to determine how the electrical bypass was done on mine so that I can switch the EAS on (and off) again and so get all the electrical/sensor type stuff sorted before I get some bags and take the springs off. It's used daily so can't be off the road for days at a time.
I drove a 2A for years before this so even on coils it feels pretty damn good to me ! :p
Click to expand...

If you drove a 2A an old cast iron bed on casters would feel good. :D:D
 
I bought my 2000/X P38 already converted to springs. I've had a few handling issues (including ball joints being dangerously loose) but am thinking that if a get to a week where I don't see a several-hundred-pound bill for fixing something maybe I'd think about putting air suspension back on.
Click to expand...

Good for you !

Obviously this would be an utterly stupid thing to do, but what sort of ballpark figure would this be? The EAS block is still there but I've no idea what condition it's in or what else is still present. I know the previous owner had suspension problems (obviously why he had it changed about a year ago).
Click to expand...

Without looking at it, it's a bit of a shot in the dark. of course, you'll need a set of air bags. probably get yourself a valve block rebuild kit (and perhaps a compressor sleeve and piston as well.)

I'm thinking that the loom could be tested, air lines pressure checked and then if all ok it's just a case of bolting on sensors and springs to 4 corners. Easy peasy.
Click to expand...
Are the senors still there ? as for the loom there's really very little in the way of problems that occurs through the loom. often the EAS system is disabled by using jumpers on the requisite relays.
 
All useful comments so far - thanks.

With the best will in the world I wouldn't be doing this myself. I still have an issue with O2 sensors (no activity from either, garage replaced one just to see but still no activity) so I'm thinking stick it in to a garage that can cope with a P38 and get them to give me a quote at the same time for e re-conversion. Which is a long way of saying can anyone recommend a garage in South Hampshire? I've been to Kieth Gott, but not for some years, and comments on here suggest he's a bit pricey. I could do with someone competent on the electric side (for the O2 problem) yet reasonably priced. Anyone got any suggestions? I don't mind travelling but need the car for work and Shanks's Pony isn't really an option.
 
I've been to keith gott a couple of times, not really that pricey ! i'm just up the A31 from you at farnham
 
which LPG system do you have ?

and if you roll yourself under the car and tap the cats with a mallet do they rattle ?
 
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wammers said:
A P38 on coils is a result of several factors. 1. Bad maintenance. 2. An owner who does not have a clue how to fix the EAS. And or 3. A garage that does not have a clue how to fix the EAS. Result coils springs. Think you said the MOT had been done just before the TRE let go. That leads me to the conclusion that the previous owner is friendly with an MOT tester. So give it a good coat of looking at. As for sleeping policemen. Mine is on air and the back end does not like them either this is because unloaded the arse end is much lighter than the front. However i have found that slowing to less than 50 MPH before negotiating them helps. :D:D
Click to expand...

Tony, if you hit the sleeping policemen at an angle then you can take them at over 50 mph:D:D:D
 
tomcat59alan said:
Tony, if you hit the sleeping policemen at an angle then you can take them at over 50 mph:D:D:D
Click to expand...

Cool will do. Was trying to explain that the front end tends to depress the suspension because of the weight and the back end tends to bounce over them without much suspension depression cause it's lighter. How are the doors coming on? :D:D:D
 
wammers said:
Cool will do. Was trying to explain that the front end tends to depress the suspension because of the weight and the back end tends to bounce over them without much suspension depression cause it's lighter. How are the doors coming on? :D:D:D
Click to expand...

The higher the speed the back end doesn't touch.:D:D:D. Don't mention the doors, you know how to hurt a man, ten down seven to go, never again.:D:D:D
 
ukadamwest said:
which LPG system do you have ?

and if you roll yourself under the car and tap the cats with a mallet do they rattle ?
Click to expand...
Prins LPG system.

Cats were replaced around a year ago and are sound - I've just had the rest of the exhaust done now. I could tap them but I'd be bloody annoyed if they were no good already, and had been missed by the 3 garages that have had a play with the car over the last month (1 for running issues (LPG etc), 1 for exhaust and 1 for track rods).

EDIT:

I've just lifted the lid on the EAS box and there's no compressor in there, and the air lines have been disconnected but there are 5 valvey looking things. I can't see if the level sensors are still there - I did have a good long stare at the wheels but can't be arsed to actually crawl around on the ground or indeed remove any wheels just at the moment.
 
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