Disco suspension

My series 2 disco was making a noise from the left hand side when the car was started or not on level ground.It turned out to be the self levelling suspension air compressor-sounded expesive.Only genuine parts availiable for 230 pounds, b ut easy to change yourself-about half an hour, 4 plugs, 4 air pipes and two bolts-i was quoted £150 fitting.Hope this helps someone

Someone might pipe in here and tell me if its normal... My self levelling makes a loud racket when I start up and shut the door, or if I stop on a side slant. I know it is working properly because the pitch and angle of the car changes, and when I press the button on the dash, the back goes up and down, but what I want to know is if they are all as noisy as mine. I know there is no way of you hearing what it sounds like, but imagine a playing card in the spokes of a kids bike wheel turning very quickly.

Mine is S2 V8 Auto

Mine done exactly the same,it stops when you open the door as a safety feature.It is the suspension air compressor that is on its last legs,if it goes the suspesion will drop to it end stops-not good.
The air compressor costs £235+vat(about£276)and is really simple to change yourself.
First locate it,it is under the car on the left hand side, about 5 inches in roughly between the two doors on the left side,it has a black plastic box cover on it about 12 inches long.
1st undo the two screws to remove the cover,then two retaining bolts so the unit cane be placed on the floor,then remove 4 electrical plugs,then two small compressed air pipes,this will discharge all the compressed air and the car will sit on its arse,so to speak.Finally disconnect the last two larger air pipes and it is done.Fitting is the reverse.Once fully fitted turn on the engine and it will compress up in about 30 seconds.It might pay to replace its air filter sponge which is housed behind the real left light assembly in a plastic snorkel device,this proabably broke your compressor-leeting in moisture/water.
Hint-when removing make a note of plug postions and label the two pipes to get them on the right way round.
I ried to get a picture on this but wouldnt let me.There is also one on e bay new for £150,but no gaurantee.
Good luck

yeah...but are they supposed to be noisy? The dealer when I bought it a year ago said they all were...still working a year later.

No, not supposed to be noisey, when you get out of the car you will hear and air discharge-that is normal, but they are not supposed to be nisey during normal operation.