disco 2 self leveling syspension

I've just got a V reg V8 ES with the SLS.

the suspension pumps up and down OK and when left alone the height is maintained so I dont think there is a leak in either airbag (not confirmed), however if I stand on the rear step, the disco lowers the rear to the floor.

switching engine on and pressing dash button puts it back to normal height where it sits ok without signs of oing down.

is this behaviour normal?

Hi M

The car will normally sit quite level.
as you add weight to the boot the rear will lower, the more you add the lower it will go.
when you start the engine, with all doors closed the SLS will return the vehicle to normal ride height, no button pressing required !
This takes about 10 -20 secs depending on the weight.

Which button are you pressing ?


Derek

Derek thanks for the response.

When standing on the rear step or itting in the boot, the disco lets all of its air out of the air bags. once the lowering has started, it does not stop until the rear is at its lowest.

I agree that starting the engine brings it back in line with normal height and indeed it has sat perfectly at that level over night, however if I now go and stand on the rear entry step, the suspension will release the air pressure in the rear springs. is this normal?

doesn't sound right - the supsension will lower when you put weight in the back but as the description implies - it self levels when the engine is started.

I recently put about 8 bags of cotswold chippings from B&Q in the back of my TD5 ES- the back dropped a few inches but went straight back up again.

I stood on the rear bumper of mine the other night to clean all the bird **** off the roof (engine swithed off) & with my 15 stone on it , it probably dropped a couple of inches - it definately shouldn't go all the way down to the stops.

Its almost as if a valve is opening as the car is fine when left, but stanging on the rear step for a few minutes you then hear a hiss as the suspension lowers.


are there pressure release valves in the air bags?

just to check - does this only happen when the engine is switched of or does it do it with the engine running ?

only tried it with the engine off.

phone landrover who said that its prob one of the rear air springs as they are 6 years old

M Unit said:

only tried it with the engine off.

phone landrover who said that its prob one of the rear air springs as they are 6 years old

Click to expand...

If it doesn't go down if left overnight for a good 12 hours than it doesn't sound like a leak from the air bags (unless its a very,very slow one & then that wouldn't explain why they both deflate all at once.)

So, just to get this clear - if you park, stop the engine ,get out & lock it & leave it overnight - its OK? but as soon as you put any weight on the rear of the vehicle the airbags deflate ?

do they deflate slowly - over a minute or 2 or just in a matter of seconds?

you can check for leaks on the bags using washing up liquid/water but your problem sounds more like one with the ride hight sensors

a hissing sound may not be air leaking from the bags - the compressor makes this sound all the as it makes adjustments but you can only hear it when the engine is not running

your correct its only when you put weight on the rear, any other time and the car is level and sits really well. It drives nice too so dont think there is a leak as such. I was wondering if it could be the Sensors on the chasis? but then again they would be in operation if the ignition is not switched on and key removed.

does the SLS warning light come on at any time ? - this indicates there is a problem in the SLS system.

when you press the 'Off Road' switch on the dash does the rear suspension rise up by about 4 inches ? (only when stationary & engine running or uptop 20 mph ).

if you get no warning lights, the 'off road' mode works ok & it doesn't deflate overnight I don't think there is a leak in the bags.

It could be the air supply control valves, or the pressure limiting valves (these prevent the airbags over-inflating & exploding) but i don't understand why this only happens when the engine is off.

how long have you had it ? , did it come with a warranty.

if there is a fault in any of the parts in the SLS system they would be recorded in the SLABS ECU & any garage with testbook or equivalent would be able to tell you - best to avoid Landrover main dealers - they would charge you £80 just to read the faults (if there are any) try and find a local independant

If you are happy with the way it drives & it only happens when it is parked with engine off & always goes back up when you start up I wouldn't worry too much but if you can get it checked out without costing too much it would put your mine at rest.

As I said my 2001 TD5 ES sits level all round with engine on and off, does drop a bit when i put any weight in the back but goes back up again within a few seconds

Hope you get it sorted

If you are still worried about it try re-posting a similar thread over the weekend when more people are online & maybe someone with more knowlewdge about the SLS system will be able to help.

cheers mate,

thanks for your time. I did get a warranty, however becuase it is not 'performance limiting' as the garage called it, ie with keys in it drives ok and suspension works fine, its not covered. lol

Hi Mate,
Re your self levelling suspension. I had the same problem with my V reg TD5 ES when I bought it over 12 months ago. You could drive the vehicle and the rear suspension would be fine, as soon as you went over a deep pothole/sleeping police man the suspension would lower. Also if you placed any weight in the back it would deflate.
The problem was the 2 rear suspension 'air bags' which are made out of heavy duty rubber, after a few years they become porous and start to leak air, normally under load or if given a jolt.
If you can put the Disco on a ramp and use the old soap & water method to check for leaks, then get someone to put weight onto the back of the disco you should then see the air leaks.
I replaced both the suspension air bags and have had no further problems.
Hope this helps
Craig

exactly what mine was doing. I fitted two new bags then inflated with foot pump the old ones, popped them in bucket of water and there is was peshed rubber.

I would claim it under warranty. IT can and mine did dump all the air out while driving and not inflate again as the pump will switch itself off if it gets to hot. this means you could be going down the motorway and find yourself on the bump stops very dangers situation.

Basicly its not roadworthy or safe. Ask the Warranty company if they are going to pay the small bill now or larger bill latter?
regards

I have just purchased a 99 TD5.

The rear suspension would drop to the bumpstop only on the n/s
sometimes it would do it overnight, or it would be fine for even a couple of days, then I would unlock it and get something out of the boot and then it would drop down within 1/2 an hour. sometimes you could watch it sink.

I thought it cold be valves/sensors etc.

Garage replaced both rear air bags N/S was leaking badly. O/S slightly.

Apparently they can self seal in certain circumstances, cracks open and close

No problems since.

If you set the air suspension to the off road setting (High) and spray soapy water on the air bags, it will show up the leaks. Not tried it myself but that is how they found the leaks.

Hope this helps.

Well what can I say. Ordered two rear air bags and decided this morning to fit them.

On taking off the old Drivers side bag it was easy to see where the hole was in the bag. Looks like it was worn on the area where the bag folds on itself.

Two new airbags later and a lot of help from you guys prior and I am a happy boy.

Many thanks

regards


Martin

p.s. is it right that the plastic air line simply pushes into the top of the new bag?

outstanding