Newbie P38A V8 Air suspension questions

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T

Tyre Tread

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17
Location
Cardiff
I have a RR on its way to me as I type and I know it was parked up because the air suspension failed and the owner bought a set of steel springs but never fitted them but that's about as much as I do know. No idea why it failed so I'm suspecting air bag(s).

I will begin to investigate tomorrow morning when it arrives but can anyone advise in the meantime of the best suppliers and air bags.

I live not far from Caerphilly so Bearmach are on my doorstep. Any good?

Which airbags are good and which are rubbish?
What dessicant is best and who supplies it?
Am I likely to need new pins and clips for the bags or are they pretty good at resisting corrosion or considered disposable
If anyone has a link to a full test procedure that would be great.

Of course I have to get it running first. I know it will turn over but couldn't get it started with the limited facilities I had 200 miles from home so have has it transported.

Many thanks in advance for any help.

tZGtPXGv.jpg
 
Leaking airbags area cause, but so is pump failure especially if it's been feeding a leak for a while. Get Dunlop bags
You might need codes read and cleared before you can make any progress
 
Island 4 x 4 I find the best for most parts Rimmers are expensive. Arnott air springs are the best but expensive, so go for Dunlops.
The airsprings (bags) have a design life of 7/8 years 80K miles so if original they will be the problem. As said by Kermit, leaking bags will likely have knackered the pump. Not worth buying desiccant IMO, getting exactly the right stuff is not easy, better IMO to just replace the dryer, it's not expensive.
 
Datatek said:
Island 4 x 4 I find the best for most parts Rimmers are expensive. Arnott air springs are the best but expensive, so go for Dunlops.
The airsprings (bags) have a design life of 7/8 years 80K miles so if original they will be the problem. As said by Kermit, leaking bags will likely have knackered the pump. Not worth buying desiccant IMO, getting exactly the right stuff is not easy, better IMO to just replace the dryer, it's not expensive.
Click to expand...
My airbag replacement guide is in the tech archive.
You will need diagnostics to reset the suspension, the RSW EAS diagnostic is good and a free download or I can supply on CD along with a copy of RAVE, my airbag replacement guide as well as the cable needed.
 
Every thing Keith has said above. Air bags and new pins/clips from Island cost me £220 for the lot a couple of years back and then follow his guide to change them
 
Nice looking Rangie, congrats. P38's are about the best, less to go wrong and still a luxury ride.
Everything is fixable given time and a bit of money spent in the right areas.
That's a brave man driving that tow-truck. :)
 
DanClarke said:
Nice looking Rangie, congrats. P38's are about the best, less to go wrong and still a luxury ride.
Everything is fixable given time and a bit of money spent in the right areas.
That's a brave man driving that tow-truck. :)
Click to expand...
I don't see a problem with that tow truck and a 3 axle trailer, I trailered a P38 250Km's on a 2 axle trailer behind my Transit 330.:eek::D:D
 
Datatek said:
I don't see a problem with that tow truck and a 3 axle trailer, I trailered a P38 250Km's on a 2 axle trailer behind my Transit 330.:eek::D:D
Click to expand...
I was thinking of the possibility of snaking. Mind you it is not as bad as when the guy took my Defender away on the back of the tiniest truck I have ever seen. The defender was wider than the truck bed and stuck out either side and the truck swayed alarmingly as he turned. But the Eastie driver had been told it was OK by his boss so he drove it up there and lashed it down. I thought it was positively lethal. :eek:
 
DanClarke said:
I was thinking of the possibility of snaking. Mind you it is not as bad as when the guy took my Defender away on the back of the tiniest truck I have ever seen. The defender was wider than the truck bed and stuck out either side and the truck swayed alarmingly as he turned. But the Eastie driver had been told it was OK by his boss so he drove it up there and lashed it down. I thought it was positively lethal. :eek:
Click to expand...
With 3 axles on the trailer, I don't think it would be too bad. Might need to keep the speed down though.
 
The transport wasn't my problem TBH. I used Shiply (first time). It arrived safely this lunchtime along with my friend's Armstrong Siddeley.
I've ordered a mammoth battery and will have a go at getting it started tomorrow when it arrives if the key will play ball (see below).

I hooked up a mate's battery pack but it wasn't really man enough to do any serious work so i just used it to power the tailgate and petrol flap etc so I could give it a good clean.

I contented myself with washing the black and green mould off, gave the inside a first clean (It was minging) and took things like the sun visors off for a good clean as they were mouldy.

I've done some test patches and the leather will clean up inside quite nicely, There's a small tear on the driver's seat I'll need to deal with but that's pretty straightforward.

The original key is knackered and I bought a new shell to put the key innards into. Only problem is I can get the old key housing apart. God help me if I can't even do that. Talk about falling at the first hurdle. :rofl:
 
Tyre Tread said:
The transport wasn't my problem TBH. I used Shiply (first time). It arrived safely this lunchtime along with my friend's Armstrong Siddeley.
I've ordered a mammoth battery and will have a go at getting it started tomorrow when it arrives if the key will play ball (see below).

I hooked up a mate's battery pack but it wasn't really man enough to do any serious work so i just used it to power the tailgate and petrol flap etc so I could give it a good clean.

I contented myself with washing the black and green mould off, gave the inside a first clean (It was minging) and took things like the sun visors off for a good clean as they were mouldy.

I've done some test patches and the leather will clean up inside quite nicely, There's a small tear on the driver's seat I'll need to deal with but that's pretty straightforward.

The original key is knackered and I bought a new shell to put the key innards into. Only problem is I can get the old key housing apart. God help me if I can't even do that. Talk about falling at the first hurdle. :rofl:
Click to expand...
Penknife in the joint and a sharp tap with a small hammer will start the split followed by a bit of levering:)
 
The suspension is up and running now. I rebuilt the Valve block and pump and up she went. I was surprised that the air bags didn't need changing but they stayed up over several days.
The suspension goes up and down as it should and seems to settle at appropriate heights so why does it need resetting and calibrating? Am i missing something?
 
Tyre Tread said:
The suspension is up and running now. I rebuilt the Valve block and pump and up she went. I was surprised that the air bags didn't need changing but they stayed up over several days.
The suspension goes up and down as it should and seems to settle at appropriate heights so why does it need resetting and calibrating? Am i missing something?
Click to expand...
If the height sensors have not been touched, no calibration is needed unless the heights were already wrong.
 
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