Torn Rear Airbag D3

[adzee]

So... Today when getting my rig looked over before I drop it in for a service... I knew I needed some bushes in the front. But... They have told me the right rear air bag outer rubber is torn.

Now I haven't experienced air loss or dropping, but I can only assume it is not good. Especially with mud, dirt or water ending up in there.

So my questions: has anyone experienced this at all? At what age? Do you know why/how? What life span is expected?

Mine is 05 model, 94000kms and I would imagine the originals.

How much have people spent replacing the bags? I'm nervous!

Thanks

[bbyer]

Looks only, that is not entirely correct but the consensus seems to be that the rubber dust boot, (as I call it), does not matter much.

The boots on my 3 are slightly torn due to old age rather than mechanical damage and while it does not please me, the holes have not caused any apparent problems.

I also think that most aftermarket replacement air spring / shock combo assemblies do not ship with the rubber boot. That suggests cost cutting yes, but also that it probably really does not matter either.

[Graeme]

The boot is to keep dirt/grit out of the folds which would eventually wear through the air-spring. They can be fitted to the front too if conditions warrant.

[adzee]

The dirt, and eventual rubbing through was exactly the scenario i don't want, but am glad I have some time to consider replacing it, as right now I would rather do more important maintenance to it...

[adzee]

So has anyone had to replace a airbag? If so I would love to know the cost.

[Geedublya]

I replaced all 4, they are expensive.

[JayBee75]

Get replacement bags from the UK, from the likes of Paddock spares, less than half the cost of Aus.

Cheers

[gghaggis]

I replaced an entire rear strut (air-bag + shockie) around 4 years ago through the dealer. Cost around $680, which I thought was pretty good.

Cheers,

Gordon

[adzee]

I replaced an entire rear strut (air-bag + shockie) around 4 years ago through the dealer. Cost around $680, which I thought was pretty good.

Cheers,

Gordon

That's not as scary as I thought!

[Mike_S]

I replaced all 4 struts last year, as I recall it was £900 all in for OEM items. Bought from 2 different suppliers, DLS & P38 Spares and both were prepared to ship to Aus if I hadn't managed to get it all sorted before the car was shipped out.

With mine, the shocks were rooted so I was about to just change those until we took a look at the bags, 2 of them were showing signs of perishing / splitting due to mud and crap. Pricing up just the shocks was an eye opener, it wasn't worth bothering as complete new struts weren't much more.

[Stuart02]

I've just been quoted approx $1800 per complete rear strut (ie x2) fitted for the RRS TDV8. I'm still looking for my jaw. What tha?

[Graeme]

If you're handy with a spanner then quite a simple task so purchase genuine or otherwise ex UK. They are expensive though.

[rar110]

I'm surprised it's failed since it's only a 2010 model.

[Stuart02]

I'm surprised it's failed since it's only a 2010 model.

190 000 kms with a towing history, and it's the old "shockers are stuffed and probably leaking so best to just change the whole strut" scenario.

I'm going to get a bumper sticker that says "It's a TDV8 so it's more expensive" :D

[Stuart02]

If you're handy with a spanner then quite a simple task so purchase genuine or otherwise ex UK. They are expensive though.

Thanks Graeme - is there any consensus on UK suppliers of choice for this large items? I've got stuff from Rimmer Bros before but nothing approaching or beyond the $1000 barrier.

What's the easiest way to find the car's chassis number, please?

[SBD4]

Thanks Graeme - is there any consensus on UK suppliers of choice for this large items? I've got stuff from Rimmer Bros before but nothing approaching or beyond the $1000 barrier.

What's the easiest way to find the car's chassis number, please?

Stuart, the manual has the locations:

https://topix.landrover.jlrext.com/topix/service/archive/62046/GTR_vehicleidentification.pdf

[LRD414]

.... is there any consensus on UK suppliers of choice for this large items? I've got stuff from Rimmer Bros before but nothing approaching or beyond the $1000 barrier....
I know LRDirect and Duckworths are both good to deal with and for shipping to Australia but don't know specifically regarding struts or other large/heavy items.
It may be worth looking at two separate orders shipped separately so as to stay below the GST/customs limit, which is $1k IIRC.
But these days sourcing locally may be similar cost anyway, due to the poor exchange rate.

Scott

[Graeme]

I bought a full set of D4 bare shocks from Duckworths as they give a discount and their price was better for the genuine shocks than UK non-dealer outlets. The 4 bare shocks were less than $1000 so no import tax or GST but the exchange rate was much more favourable than now and the complete struts cost considerably more.

I would follow Scott's suggestion, getting the most urgent ones first then the other pair quite some time later.

[rar110]

My RRV rear shocks were swapped out at 195,000. Air bags are still ok at 245,000km.

[Graeme]

On the RRV the rear shocks are separate from the air-springs whereas the 08 RRS have the shocks inside the air-springs and a genuine air-spring by itself costs almost the same as the complete assembly.

[IvanR]

Unless you need new shocks, I would simply replace the outer boot. Remove the strut too clean it if you think any dirt is between the can and air bag. Ok at that point you may detect damage, but I would not be replacing the whole strut on a maybe given the low kilometres.

Ivan

[rar110]

On the RRV the rear shocks are separate from the air-springs whereas the 08 RRS have the shocks inside the air-springs and a genuine air-spring by itself costs almost the same as the complete assembly.

Yes, it's a feature I particularly like about the L322. Easier to change on side of the road, left and right identical (not CVD). I don't understand why a RRS shock on its own is so expensive. If so replacing the complete assembly is the go.