Should I get rid of the SLS?

[brynbad]

Hi,

I've just bought a 2003 D2a and after speaking with the local mechanic he advised heavily that I should get rid of the SLS and put coils in. Are they really that much trouble to maintain? Also has anyone replaced the Uni Joints in the prop shaft to ones with that are greaseable? Is it too hard for a DIY?

Brynley

[biggin]

Hi,

I've just bought a 2003 D2a and after speaking with the local mechanic he advised heavily that I should get rid of the SLS and put coils in. Find a new mechanic (preferable an independant LR specialist). Are they really that much trouble to maintain? No. If you are worried, replace both air springs and keep the old ones as spares. You should get ten years out of them. Also has anyone replaced the Uni Joints in the prop shaft to ones with that are greaseable? Yes. Is it too hard for a DIY? No.

Brynley

They're a great car. Have fun.:cool:

[OffTrack]

X2. Find a mechanic who knows LRs.

You'd be mad to pull a working SLS setup. If you do decide to remove to I'd be more than happy to dispose of your junked sensors, compressor and bags. ;)

[justinc]

X3. I only advocate removal and fitting coils for A) Economic reasons, or B) the vehicle is going into very remote places, the owner isn't mechanically minded, and TOTAL reliability is paramount. Mostly we refit the bags after the trip, as I agree it is a great system. Basic maintenance like bag replacements about 10 years and don't allow leaking ones to remain on the vehicle for long as the compressor suffers etc is the key to reliability. As regards sensors, I have only ever replaced 2, they don't seem to suffer failures all that often, and the airlines are easy to repair if chafed through, a small inline 'Legris' brand push fit joiner fixes that:)

JC

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Hi,

I've just bought a 2003 D2a

Brynley

:rulez:

[camel_landy]

Keep the system and find a new mechanic that knows what he's talking about.

It is a very reliable system and fitting new bags in the rear is a fairly simple job.

M

[Bytemrk]

As everyone else has said - keep them.. the Airbag rear end is a good thing.

For a remote trip I did what Justin has suggested and switched to springs - then put the air back when we returned (It's a pretty easy DIY job.)

In hindsight, I probably didnt even really need to worry about the springs in the first place.

[brynbad]

Cool thanks for that information the next thing is where to buy a set of airbags? Is online the cheapest?

[biggin]

Googling "RKB101200" will get you started.
I think the Dunlop ones are pretty good, if you don't want to go to the expense of genuine.
A search for airbags on this site should also come up with plenty of options.

[alpick]

Dunlop bags from paddock spares in uk.

Right price, right service,

Definitely not arnotts bags from the US,search posts on them!

Cheers

[Wasa57]

Keep the air suspension, and fit a new front shaft.

DLS Land Rover Spares UK list 2 original bags for just over $300.00AU + postage. These are Contech and German made, I am very happy with mine.
You can pick up a new front shaft in Oz for around $500.00 (a safer option.)

[ajv1971]

The front shaft is a challenge if you have never tackled one before, has to be put together a certain way or the centralising bearing will get damaged.
Have a go, why not!

[biggin]

Have a read of Urban Panzer's "how to" here:
www.discovery2.co.uk / Workshop :- front and Rear propshaft (http://www.discovery2.co.uk/propshafts.html)
and figure out if you want to give it a go or not.

[Wasa57]

DLS have new front shaft for $303.00AU
Cost of repair kit at least $185.00AU.
Not much difference, even with postage.
If your DC yokes are worn, repair could be futile (and catastrophic.)
Regardless, move the A/C drip line from over the DC joint.

[OffTrack]

DLS have new front shaft for $303.00AU
Cost of repair kit at least $185.00AU.
Not much difference, even with postage.
If your DC yokes are worn, repair could be futile (and catastrophic.)
Regardless, move the A/C drip line from over the DC joint.

The D2a TD5 Autos (the OP has a D2a TD5 not sure about auto) were fitted with a propshaft with a different design sliding joint. The revised sliding joint uses ball-bearings to prevent binding under load. The binding which affected the earlier Td5 Auto's causes vibration to be transmitted into the cab at around 2400rpm in all gears (sound familiar to anyone?).

TRS sell used D2a Td5 Auto propshafts for $445 so a repair kit looks a whole lot better proposition if you have one of these shafts fitted.

[justinc]

Airbag man in QLD to get some local prices too, (07) 3889 6556.

I know overseas may be cheaper but you will have a headache with any kind of warranty claim if it eventuates.

JC

[davrac]

I agree with Justin re the local (aust) warranty thing. However, I decided to take the chance and purchase Dunlop rear air bags from Island 4x4 in the UK. 116 Pounds a pair and about 50 pounds delivery to Hobart TAS.

I have now had them fitted for about 3 months with no issues at all and they are the same dunlop bags that some of the aussie stockists supply. I always try and keeps my business in aust but when the saving are so substantial I am willing to buy from overseas (and lets be honest, when you own a landrover you you need to make savings here and there).

Oh and they only took about 10 working days to get to TAS from UK.

Don't go to springs unless you need to, the advise of the majority on her is gospel.

Cheers, Dave.

[brynbad]

Thanks people for all the advice. I'll let you know how I fair!

[simonl8353]

This is my '99 D2 with a the front prop modified with the Double Cardin Joint fitted with grease nipples. The standard one is not serviceable and does eventually fail.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/04/1141.jpg

Agree with the airbag set up, its excellent, even though I did convert to coils I miss the SLS.

[brynbad]

So did you get a whole new propshaft? Or just replaced the uni joints?

[RANDLOVER]

If you are concerned about the SLS compressor failing you can get a kit from Hardrange that lets you tee in the airlines with Schroder valves so you can inflate the bags with any compressor you'd probably have for your tyres.

[alpick]

And if you if buy an SLS bypass kit (or just go to pirtek etc, and buy some 4mm air pipe, 2 t pieces and 2 schroder valves, way cheaper) don't fit it until you need to, I.e. When the compressor fails and you are somewhere remote just connect in the schroder valves and use compressor to pump up you SLS.

I fitted the hard range kit, had real trouble with leaks from poor quality t pieces, in the end replaced the hard range stuff with pirtek stuff and fixed my problems.(hard range refunded the price of their kit acknowledging bad supplies and change of supplier). I still have two good spare very slightly used SLS bags as a result.

In hind sight, if the SLS is working as advertised , best keep the bypass kit in the tool box till its needed.

Wouldn't trade the SLS for coils ever.