Air Susp Inactive message: Sunken drivers side suspension. Replace airbag?

[spudboy]

My 2003 L322 is looking decidedly sad, drooping badly on the drives side front, and I have the Air Suspension Inactive message on the console.
It still drives OK, albeit with a bit of a drunken lean to the right, but obviously something needs fixing. I can't hear the compressor running non-stop or anything (but that might just mean it is quieter than the diesel engine).

So far I have tried doing the "full left/right" steering wheel action to try and reset the steering orientation sensor, and I have reset all the error/defect codes using the Check Control function on the instrument cluster. One thing I did note on Test 09 (System Voltage) was that it was only 11.6V, if that is relevant, as it seemed pretty low to me.

Anyway - No change at all after these small operations.

If it is sunken down does this pretty much indicate an airbag failure, or could it be a sensor of some sort?

I am thinking of removing the strut myself and replacing the airbag with an Arnott Industries one. Has anyone imported one from the USA direct, and if so how much did it set you back (also - is it worth the effort to import one, or should I just get it from an Australian supplier?)? Any other suggestions?

Thanks
David

Also - just to add that there are no LED lights on the height indicator on the dash, and I've checked under the spare tyre for water ingress (I gather this is where the air compressor pump lives), but it looks pretty dry in there.

[jsp]

I am near Salisbury and work in town if you want to plug in the RSW allCOMS and check EAS codes.

Its a great tool and I would recommend you get one from Hard Range - it should confirm your air spring though which does sound fairly obvious :) it doesn't do some things the more expensive ones do but it does a fair bit for the money it costs.

I am not sure where the best place to get air springs from is for the 322, I will have to look at doing the rears in mine in the next year or two, the fronts are fairly new. I just bought a big box of stuff from island 4x4, was cheapest I could find for my tail lights, all up about a month from initial asking website contact for shipping quote to having them sitting here on my desk. you might want your parts quicker.

[spudboy]

Thanks jsp - I might need to get the codes read at some point, I'll keep that in mind.

I think my plan is going to be to pull the front strut and take a look at the bag. It doesn't seem like a very complicated procedure. I found this PDF which sets out what needs to be done:
http://www.arnottindustries.com/file.asp?Manual=TRUE&ProductID=542&Size=SMALL

[jsp]

L322 Range Rover - How To Replace Air Springs - YouTube

[PAT303]

I'd try English Atlantic or reco Arnotts. Pat

[spudboy]

Hi Pat - as in: get the current airbags reconditioned at Arnotts? I thought they'd be a throw away item once they start leaking. Am planning to keep the same strut/shock assy, just replace the airbag part.

I'll do a search on English Atlantic - have not heard of them before.

Thanks
David

[spudboy]

I found Atlantic British Pty Ltd in the USA - is the the crowd you were thinking of?

I sent them off an enquiry by email, so will see what they come up with.

[PAT303]

I found Atlantic British Pty Ltd in the USA - is the the crowd you were thinking of?

I sent them off an enquiry by email, so will see what they come up with.

Sorry thats them.They gave me the best price on rear bags and Arnotts sell reco replacement front struts. Pat

[andrew e]

You can hear the bag leaking if it has a hole. jack up the front of your car so it unfolds itself and listen.

The arnott replacement airbags are easy to change on the strut, just follow the instructions.

Andy

[spudboy]

Hi Andy,

I was going to take a look at it today, but unfortunately I was sidetracked digging out our septic :mad: Priorities!!

Pulling it off looks pretty straightforward (from looking at the YouTube video) so I'll try and get onto it one night this week.

Do you know anyone who sells just the airbag? I have rung 3 or people here (in Aust) and a couple of OS vendors and they all want to sell me the whole strut, not just the airbag.

I emailed Arnotts direct, but no reply.

Cheers
David

[spudboy]

jsp - I am wondering about your machine to read the error codes!

If you see this post: http://www.aulro.com/afvb/showthread.php?p=1586929#post1586929 you can see I have the strut out and it looks OK. Any chance you could PM me to see if I could perhaps use your machine to read the error codes?

Thanks
David