Springs vs. air suspension

Will I be happy or disappointed if I choose to switch to springs instead of air suspension? Will it ride as well? I don't plan on towing much of anything. maybe a small boat if I get the chance. What does everyone think?

thesaint311 said:

Will I be happy or disappointed if I choose to switch to springs instead of air suspension? Will it ride as well? I don't plan on towing much of anything. maybe a small boat if I get the chance. What does everyone think?

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Firstly, what is wrong with your air suspension/ if anything?

I have springs on the back as standard on my Disco 2, and mine rides great, I don't tow anything heavy and I dont have any electrics/compressors to go wrong!! I have never experienced the ride quality with SLS on the road so can't compare...

On the other hand I know people who would not get rid of the rear SLS ....so it's down to personal oppinion/preference.
Do you use the Disco off road? Remember you wont be able to raise/lower it for a little extra clearence if you do...

My compressor has seized up and the air harness is cracked. At least I think so. It blows the fuse and when i try to manually start it from the battery the wire gets hot. It is just expensive as all get out to replace the compressor and finding that air harness going into the compressor is near impossible. I was thinking it may just be easier and cheaper to go for coils. i would like to keep the air suspension though. And I don't do any off-roading with it.

I refitted full air - it's actually not very hard - I bought the air harness for 20 quid off fleabay second hand, and admittedly paid a couple of hundred for the compressor, but am pleased I did overall.

David

robhew86 said:

Firstly, what is wrong with your air suspension/ if anything?

I have springs on the back as standard on my Disco 2, and mine rides great, I don't tow anything heavy and I dont have any electrics/compressors to go wrong!! I have never experienced the ride quality with SLS on the road so can't compare...

On the other hand I know people who would not get rid of the rear SLS ....so it's down to personal oppinion/preference.
Do you use the Disco off road? Remember you wont be able to raise/lower it for a little extra clearence if you do...

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Dunno who that would be ??

REF going to coils, if you do, then I would be interested in your old compressor, I want to pull one to bits to see what makes it tick!!!

Rats, I had a duff one that I chucked out when I replaced mine!

Would be nice to know if they can be properly overhauled as I foresee a day in the future when they will be very hard to come by (bit like the air trunking that LR can't seem to supply any more!)

Urban Panzer said:

Dunno who that would be ??

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You knows it Mr UP

Urban Panzer said:

REF going to coils, if you do, then I would be interested in your old compressor, I want to pull one to bits to see what makes it tick!!![/quote]

:hysterically_laughi

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I went to coils a few months back. Something the same reason as yourself. Everything getting tired. I don't do any off roading in the disco, I find it a lot stiffer on the road, a lot less body roll on roundabouts and corners. Where I did notice the difference was where I park when leaving my kids to school. I park on an island in the carpark, I noticed a big difference bumping up the curb. A lot harsher on the body to say the least. The air just wallowed up onto it but the coils! Well you know your going over a curb. All in all it cost me £115 and I was happy to change it.

thesaint311 said:

Will I be happy or disappointed if I choose to switch to springs instead of air suspension? Will it ride as well? I don't plan on towing much of anything. maybe a small boat if I get the chance. What does everyone think?

Click to expand...

Been in a p38 rangey with coils it rode crap compared to the air, no where near as smooth

Well I found a compressor from a friend who's Land Rover has been switched to coils. I threw their compressor in and I am as good as new. Thanks for everyone's advice.

thesaint311 said:

Well I found a compressor from a friend who's Land Rover has been switched to coils. I threw their compressor in and I am as good as new. Thanks for everyone's advice.

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make sure you replace the filter and change it at specified intervals or you stuff this compressor as well in no time.

We bought a compressor and most of the bits to convert to air, but having seen the compressor close up, and worked out just how unrepairable it all is, I sold the kit and stayed with springs.

Nothing wrong generally with the compressor construction, but it isn't made to be repaired, it's a one-shot intermittently-rated compressor which can get water inside very easily.

You could do a lot better, but why bother?

Peter