US Option for Air Struts

[Laurie]

Arnott Air Suspension options:

https://www.arnottindustries.com/search-Products/index.asp'make=4&model=10&year=125

The prices are good, and their version of the air- spring replacement looks a lot better than the OEM variety !!!

Laurie

[harlie]

There was quality issues with Arnott bags for the D2, I got burnt, not heard of anything good/bad for L322 - burnt once not again for me.

[Laurie]

Harlie
What trouble did you have ?
They are the go-to product on the US LR forums; and the actual air-bag is made by Continental which has a very envious reputation in the trucking industry.

Laurie

[Homestar]

The other consideration is that if you just replace the bag, you will still be on struts that have heaps of km on them and probably need replacing themselves.

[Laurie]

Gav
I agree with what you say; but they offer 3 options

New air-bag spring
Rebuilt strut with new air-bag either Dunlop or Continental
New genuine strut and air-bag spring

If the strut can be re-built, why can't we get that done here ? I have not heard of a local re-build.

Laurie

[harlie]

Harlie
What trouble did you have ?
They are the go-to product on the US LR forums; and the actual air-bag is made by Continental which has a very envious reputation in the trucking industry.

Laurie

Laurie, they both split around the top clamp, within 30min of being fitted, I was real happy to refit the old ones before lunch on the same day. Pretty sure the D2 units were not brand name.

I remember reading about issues from others after I paid for them, mine then sat in the garage for 2 maybe 3 years until they were needed - the originals went far longer than expected (12 years). When I fitted them mid last year and they didn't make it out the gate, I wasn't surprised - crapped off but not surprised. Burnt my $ and ordered a pair from local supplier.

I agree with Gav, the strut needs to be changed as well, what other car have you owned that had good struts after 200k.

[Homestar]

Gav
I agree with what you say; but they offer 3 options

New air-bag spring
Rebuilt strut with new air-bag either Dunlop or Continental
New genuine strut and air-bag spring

If the strut can be re-built, why can't we get that done here ? I have not heard of a local re-build.

Laurie

By the time you do that, you would be close to the price of a set of OEM Delphi units shipped to your door ($900 delivered for the pair), and despite what some say, they are reliable to at least 160,000 KM so won't need replacing for another 5 or 6 years at least - we got 185,000 KM on ours, and over 9 years from new which is pretty good in my book.

[neil 90]

At the price arnotts are I cant see an advantage, love there biscuits but not there air bags.

I got over 230k and ten years on my originals which both popped within a 100mtrs of each other,

those top guys at island sent 2 struts and a couple of front bushes and a couple of rear bush's for $841. bargain.

I went with the dunlop ones as im a big fan of dunlop stuff. its marketed as aftermarket, which it is but dunlop know a thing or two about rubber.

I didnt think there was anything wrong with the front shocks but with these new ones its obvious they were very tired. its sharpened the whole car up no end.

PS why would anyone put coils on one of these great cars???

cheers

neil

[Laurie]

Gav,Harlie & Neil thanks for your input ! :BigThumb:I will be going with the UK sourced gear, when the time comes. Espically if the deal Neil got, is ongoing. I see Island 4x4 are selling new Dunlop units for A$292 + Freight ! Can't beat that deal !

Laurie

[Homestar]

Yep, great price, and will be far easier than stuffing around changing the bags and getting the struts rebuilt.

[neil 90]

Gav,Harlie & Neil thanks for your input ! :BigThumb:I will be going with the UK sourced gear, when the time comes. Espically if the deal Neil got, is ongoing. I see Island 4x4 are selling new Dunlop units for A$292 + Freight ! Can't beat that deal !

Laurie

Hi Mate, Island are great they really are, when i was looking for my struts (last week) the dunlop price was on the home page if that helps.

cheers

neil

[harlie]

At the price arnotts are I cant see an advantage, love there biscuits but not there air bags.

I got over 230k and ten years on my originals which both popped within a 100mtrs of each other,

those top guys at island sent 2 struts and a couple of front bushes and a couple of rear bush's for $841. bargain.

I went with the dunlop ones as im a big fan of dunlop stuff. its marketed as aftermarket, which it is but dunlop know a thing or two about rubber.

I didnt think there was anything wrong with the front shocks but with these new ones its obvious they were very tired. its sharpened the whole car up no end.

PS why would anyone put coils on one of these great cars???

cheers

neil

Neil, are there any particular bushes that should be looked at or did you just find some were loose?

@ 160km & coming up 9 years, I'm thinking of doing front bags&struts as a preventative measure. would be nice to have fresh dampeners up front too. As you say, it doesn't feel like anything is wrong but I bet it will improve.

[neil 90]

Hi Mate,

I found the inner bush on the front TCA, the one to the left as your looking at it was shot. these are common problem and can be seen without taking the wheel off.

alot of people just change the whole arms but ther is nothing wrong with the ball jionts on mine so im just changing the bush. i am doing this this long weekend as i will have to make a tool, really should save up for a good press!!

on the rears, jack one side up and put the handbrake on. then try and rotate the wheel from the top of the tyre, you should feel any movement if the top knuckle bush is worn. also you can hear a light knock from the rear on uneven ground.

with the front bushes i can feel the front is moving more than it should but looking at the bushes, they are shot.

hope this helps.

also with the front air bags, on inspection they didnt seem too perished and actually were they burst wasnt perished at all so a preventative change at a certain age or klm is a wise move.
having said that i did notice a few weeks prior that the front would self level more than normal so there was obviusly the start of an air leak.

cheers

neil