Disco 2 Discovery 2 Air Bags

Replace the suspension air bags. About 120 quid a pair.
Do them both as a pair instead of trying to diagnose which one might be faulty. If one has gone, the other one won't be long before it fails too.
Get them replaced as soon as possible, failure to do so is going to place additional stress on the air pump, causing that to fail too.
If you use Dunlop bags, you'll have to cut the ends of the air pipes. Make sure to cut them absolutely square, keep the ends clean and do not crush them down with pliers, etc.
Incidentally, there are two of those little things, ride height sensors.

brian47 said:

Replace the suspension air bags. About 120 quid a pair.
Do them both as a pair instead of trying to diagnose which one might be faulty. If one has gone, the other one won't be long before it fails too.
Get them replaced as soon as possible, failure to do so is going to place additional stress on the air pump, causing that to fail too.
If you use Dunlop bags, you'll have to cut the ends of the air pipes. Make sure to cut them absolutely square, keep the ends clean and do not crush them down with pliers, etc.

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Thank you for replying!
I put new bags on both sides back in 2014, how long do they usually last? I assumed they'd last for the rest of the life of the car (At least I hoped they would lol)
So aside from the bags, is there anything else that could be causing this issue?

Thanks again

It's hard to tell how long these things last. I think mine are on their way out again and I had them changed back in 2013 or so too.
I can't see them lasting the life of the car at any time.
If the car goes down, then air is getting out from somewhere, either the bags, an air line or a valve in the compressor unit. I'd be inclined to go for the bags first and if that sorts the fault then go no further, but if it doesn't sort it then at least you know that you don't have to keep thinking about them.

@RustySkull

Have you read this?
https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/disco-ii-air-suspension-–-the-definitive-guide.171995/

I carry a set of manual "tyre" valves which I can fit to the pipes to blow the air bags up if I get a Fault, at least this way it isolates the control side from the bags side.

Cheers

brian47 said:

It's hard to tell how long these things last. I think mine are on their way out again and I had them changed back in 2013 or so too.
I can't see them lasting the life of the car at any time.
If the car goes down, then air is getting out from somewhere, either the bags, an air line or a valve in the compressor unit. I'd be inclined to go for the bags first and if that sorts the fault then go no further, but if it doesn't sort it then at least you know that you don't have to keep thinking about them.

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Yeah very true, I was thinking it could be the ECU or something because it'll be sitting there then all of a sudden it'll "Click" then go down, it also does it when you open the back door but I assumed that's to make it easier to get in? Lol.
It doesn't slowly go down, within 5 seconds it's down. Do you happen to know if it's ECU controlled or does it have its own little Computer?
Personally, I don't think it has a leak ;/

RustySkull said:

Personally, I don't think it has a leak ;/

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Personally, I wouldn't cling too tightly to that thought (or hope). I've heard of numerous members who had been convinced that their problem was nothing to do with the bags and so torn their hair out trying to diagnose the trouble. Eventually, when they finally changed the bags, probably out of sheer desperation ... well, you see what I mean.

As another member once said, "Just when you think it's not the bags, it's the bags"

neilly said:

@RustySkull

Have you read this?
https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/disco-ii-air-suspension-–-the-definitive-guide.171995/

I carry a set of manual "tyre" valves which I can fit to the pipes to blow the air bags up if I get a Fault, at least this way it isolates the control side from the bags side.

Cheers

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Blimey how did I miss this in my search, now I noticed there is no mention of it going down when the boot is opened, so I assume that's a fault?

brian47 said:

Personally, I wouldn't cling too tightly to that thought (or hope). I've heard of numerous members who had been convinced that their problem was nothing to do with the bags and so torn their hair out trying to diagnose the trouble. Eventually, when they finally changed the bags, probably out of sheer desperation ... well, you see what I mean.

As another member once said, "Just when you think it's not the bags, it's the bags"

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Haha yeah I know what you mean, I'll soak them with soapy water to see if I can find a leak, I suppose I'll change them again as you say to be safe... I'm slightly disapointed they didn't last even 4 years though.

Right, I've just been on Padocks to buy a pair of air bags, and I noticed they do the coil kit for less money, is changing it to coils as simple as changing the bags? Is it simply bag out, coil in its place?
Are there any other things you have to do?

I changed to coils and it was fairly simple, although I had to use spring compressors to get them to it in. I don't know why this was. I have a brand new Dunlop airspring if you are going down that route. £30 plus £5 postage. I am very happy with coils. I was a bit OCD with the air system and always wondering what it was doing.

Well, I've been reading up and apparently a spring compressor isn't needed? Can anybody confirm this please?
and I think I'll buy the kit from Paddocks for £68, at least then I'll have no issues in the future. I never used the air suspension anyway, like raising it etc..

@Shimsteriom has done this a few times recently, maybe he can shed a little illumination on it.

Cheers

I got mine (Britpart) from Paddocks and very pleased with them. Spring compressors shouldn't be needed but for some reason the axle didn't lower enough. At least I didn't have to worry about straining the ABS sensor lead or brake pipe.

I'm pretty sure that you should tell your insurance company about a change to the rear suspension. They might not be bothered, but if your Disco is a seven seater, then because they were fitted with air originally due to EU regulations, changing to coils could have implications.
Note. I have said "should" and "could", not "must" and "will".

The change to coils will obviously mean that you'll lose the ability to raise the rear end with the Off-road mode switch.

neilly said:

@Shimsteriom has done this a few times recently, maybe he can shed a little illumination on it.

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I never changed my own bags for coils as I don't have any spring compressors, so payed a garage to do it for me this time. I've changed coils before using compressors, but was always a bit worried that the damn things would come boinging out if they clamps were not directly opposite each other and try to turn the coils in to bananas!

They charged me £18 for the change but I am not sure if it is a one off payment. There are a lot more dramatic conversions. It is always best to inform them even if it is just adding a towbar.

Shimsteriom said:

I never changed my own bags for coils as I don't have any spring compressors, so payed a garage to do it for me this time. I've changed coils before using compressors, but was always a bit worried that the damn things would come boinging out if they clamps were not directly opposite each other and try to turn the coils in to bananas!

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Mine were £8.99 spring compressors and they did bend and frighten me.Lol. When I got them nearly compressed enough I got the wife to stand on the rear hub to get the axle lowered enough.

brianconwy said:

I got the wife to stand on the rear hub to get the axle lowered enough.

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Great improvisation!

first thing: unplug the ride height sensors and plug them back in again

that would have saved me £400 a couple of months ago! it was just a dodgy connection