My P38 rear suspension

Manx rangie · Dec 9, 2011

Hi.Firstly hello to everyone as I'm new to the forum! Having trouble with the rear of my p38. When I start up the rear doesnt always lift. The height selection on the dash flashes. If I leave it running for 10 to 15 mins it will then lift up itself. I'm new to the rangie so any help or advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!

Alan C · Dec 9, 2011

Your EAS air pump has probably worn out, the piston seal has perished (a subject quite close to my heart at the moment). Either replace the seal if you're an avid DIYer (you need to be to keep a P38 running and keep the bills low) or replace the complete pump at £200 ish. Do a search on the forum, stacks of info on this.

Oh, and welcome!

:welcome2:

dogsbody · Dec 9, 2011

Greetings

You've got a leak. Probably in or around a rear air bag.
The suspension should stay up for at least a night. The 15 minute wait that you're experiencing is the compressor building up the lost pressure but a compressor running that long either means that you've lost all your air or the compressor isn't very effective.

Firstly send a PM to DATATEK on here. He can supply you the air suspension software and computer connection cable for the system. But also, on the CD that he does is a guide to changing the air bags AND the workshop manual for the Rangie AND all at about half the ebay price.

Then get the suspension to full height and have a look at the rear bags, do they look old, creased and generally knackered? Then they probably are. Don't mess about, change them (dead easy - honest) If you delay, the stress that you're putting on the compressor could soon knacker that.

Welcome to the nut house.

Manx rangie · Dec 9, 2011

Thanks guys! Is there a way to tell wether it's the pump at fault or the air bag? Don't want to replace one to find out it's the other. Thanks.

JohnP38 · Dec 9, 2011

Manx rangie said:
Thanks guys! Is there a way to tell wether it's the pump at fault or the air bag? Don't want to replace one to find out it's the other. Thanks.

Remove the air pipe under the pump.Then with the pump running put your finger over the pump air outlet.If the pump is ok you should not be able to stop the air from exiting.If this is the case then the pump piston seal is probably worn out,Replace seal or pump.Bear in mind many pumps get worn prematurely because they are overworked trying to compensate for a leak in the system.You may have to replace airbags and repair/replace piump.

Manx rangie · Dec 9, 2011

That's great. Ill give it a try. Thanks mate!

Datatek · Dec 9, 2011

If the compressor is shagged, it's likely to be because of overwork keeping up with leaking airsprings.

Dopey · Dec 9, 2011

Get some soapy water in a spray can, spray around the air bags (when they are pumped up obviously) if you get bubbles, then you know for sure its leaking, but its strange when you think about it, that BOTH are not rising and both have leaks at the same time without you noticing before, strange don't you think?

Datatek · Dec 9, 2011

Dopey said:
Get some soapy water in a spray can, spray around the air bags (when they are pumped up obviously) if you get bubbles, then you know for sure its leaking, but its strange when you think about it, that BOTH are not rising and both have leaks at the same time without you noticing before, strange don't you think?

No that strange, if the bags are original it's likely they are all perished. These problems creep up until they become obvious when the car sinks and won't lift.
Design life of air springs 7/8 years 80K miles

Dopey · Dec 9, 2011

Mine is a 97, but changed them before any leaks, but you could see the back ones were definitely on there way out, I probably could have kept the front ones on as they didn't look too bad, changed them for Arnott II glad i did as the ride has changed so much (for the better) I was going to get the Gen III ones but was told not to, unless you wanted to go off-roading big time (and I don't) as they are quite a bit more £££ (and again more than the Dunlop ones)

Datatek · Dec 9, 2011

Dopey said:
Mine is a 97, but changed them before any leaks, but you could see the back ones were definitely on there way out, I probably could have kept the front ones on as they didn't look too bad, changed them for Arnott II glad i did as the ride has changed so much (for the better) I was going to get the Gen III ones but was told not to, unless you wanted to go off-roading big time (and I don't) as they are quite a bit more £££ (and again more than the Dunlop ones)

I went for Gen II's, very happy with them

My P38 rear suspension

Manx rangie

New Member

Alan C

Active Member

dogsbody

Very senior member

Manx rangie

New Member

JohnP38

Active Member

Manx rangie

New Member

Datatek

Well-Known Member

Dopey

Well-Known Member

Datatek

Well-Known Member

Dopey

Well-Known Member

Datatek

Well-Known Member

Similar threads