Airbag replacment DIY or "the shop"

[Rushy]

My rear airbags are now drooping more than usual overnight and with 140K on the dial I'd say replacement is nigh for all four, I know there are a lot of threads on this subject but...
Question one, OEM or Arnott, I have read of a couple of failures with Arnott airbags, although they were replaced free of charge it is the inconvenience of doing the job twice. Arnott however do seem to be a better performing product both on and off road from what I have read.

Question two, I am a reasonable(amature) spanner wielder so if I elect the DIY approach what am I liable to lose, break or bend that can't be bought on a Sunday afternoon. What traps should I look out for and what short cuts should I avoid. Apart from axle stands and good mate do I need any special tools.

Cheers

Rushy

[Blknight.aus]

airline fittings, the airline and washers...

go buy a bottle of loctite.

cleanliness is important as is the right kind of grease for installing them.

[justinc]

Rushy,

Airbag man in QLD (07) 38896556 they do complete assemblies for P38a, using Dunlop bags IIRC. They are an easy fit into the P38a and you will not have any worries doing it.

As Dave says, cleanliness is essential and use a soapy water spray afterward at each connection to ensure no leaks.

The advantage with complete assemblies are no need to disassemble the bellows from the pistons at all, just unplug air line, unclip bag retainers and slip old assembly out and new one in.

I have used these products for ages and no problems, also a local supplier so you are not dealing overseas.

JC

[parasnoop67]

JC is spot on Rushy, I have run the dunlops in mine from 160k to 250k with no problems at all.

Can be bought from Jagspares/British 4wd for a bit over $200 ea.;)

Rears-- dont need to remove wheelarch liner, just need a piece of wire about 2mm thick and bend a tight small hook on one end and bend a handle on the other. Use to pull top retaining pins out of rear bags.

Easy job, took me less than 4 hours just with jack and stands and working out what to do.

Airbag man has very good service. Good luck.

[p38arover]

It's fairly easy to do. See Air Spring Replacement (http://www.rangerovers.net/repairdetails/airsuspension/airspreplace.html)

[PaulP38a]

You can also pick up Arnott Gen II's locally if you know the right people, and for less than the Dunlops/OEM's ;)

They are pretty much a direct replacement for the OEM's in terms of handlings, but have more travel and better clamping top and bottom.

Cheers, Paul.

[trog]

was the bbq invite a hint then :) i should be free next weekend if thats a help

[wayneg]

Just in case you have been out in the mud ever be prepared for the rear airsprings to be well and truly cemented in at the top. It can take quite a bit of persuasion to get the old ones free. Once out ensure the top spring locating area on the car is spotless and spray a little wd40 as getting the new one to locate fully home is essential if you want to get the airline back in easily. Apart from that an easy job.

[glenhendry]

If you are doing this in Narangba, pm me the time and date and I will try to get around and help/heckle/watch/inspire/support/entertain/learn/distract you.

[Rushy]

Thank you all gentlemen, and Trog (damn disco owner lol) for your help and offers of assistance, I won't be able to do them for a few weeks but I will make a step by step slide show when I (we) do them

Cheers

Rushy

[Pedro_The_Swift]

They do seem complicated compared to the D2:o