2001 Discovery 2 suspension

[pauldouglas]

Hello people
Looking for some advice, I went out tonight to find the rear drivers side very flat, the ride height/ suspension that is.
Passenger side is fine so I'm assuming it may be a suspension airbag gone?
The passenger side is fine so I'm ruling out the compressor, is this correct?
Obviously still had its original ACE fitted.
Assuming it is the airbags what is the general thought on replacing them, retain the bags or go with springs?
Any advice as to cause and best way to proceed would be appreciated.
On a side issue just started doing a little of raging so thought might be the time to go to springs and maybe a 2"lift?
Cheers
Paul

[pauldouglas]

Story that should be
off roading, not raging, sorry

[biggin]

Off Road Mode is very useful when off road. Replace both air springs and keep the good one as a spare.

[pauldouglas]

Thanks for advice, funny thing is this morning I went up to car and both sides at rear down, took the car to garage to prepare for conversion to coils and when driving there really bad bumpy ride.
On leaving the garage I noticed the suspension had pumped itself up and appeared ok.
Took it for a little drive and seemed fine. I have since been out and done maybe 50kms and all ok?????
Any ideas???
For now I will keep existing bags

[loanrangie]

I could be wrong but i believe there may be some o-rings in the system that could be leaking ?

[sierrafery]

Thanks for advice, funny thing is this morning I went up to car and both sides at rear down, took the car to garage to prepare for conversion to coils and when driving there really bad bumpy ride.
On leaving the garage I noticed the suspension had pumped itself up and appeared ok.
Took it for a little drive and seemed fine. I have since been out and done maybe 50kms and all ok?????
Any ideas???
For now I will keep existing bags
That's exactly how the SLS behaves with a leaking bag, the bag has the ability to seal itself intermittently and when the engine is running the compressor keeps them inflated despite of the leak which can make it to exceed it's duty cycle or wear out prematurely, replace both bags ASAP, i'm 99.9% that this will fix things....or convert it to coils if that's your wish but IMO it's a shame to downgrade a D2 this way

[pauldouglas]

I understand what you are saying but prior to it re-inflating when I drove it there was nothing just flat back end feeling all the bumps. Now when car is running and suspension is up I can't hear compressor running continuously.
Does this mean you think the bags have temporarily repaired themselves and will go again?
If so I suppose the same question coils or bags???
Thanks again for feedback

[Fluids]

Replace BOTH rear airsprings. They usually fail around the rolled part of the spring. Depending on the angle of the dangle as to exactly where the roll is currently sitting will determine whether it leaks or not. Usually a slow leak that the compressor keeps up with ... for a short time ... then your thrashing the compressor :(

Keep the SLS as its a much nicer ride and makes the D2 self levelling when you add weight in the rear.

Sent by iPhone using two tin cans and Forum Runner

[kelvo]

I understand what you are saying but prior to it re-inflating when I drove it there was nothing just flat back end feeling all the bumps. Now when car is running and suspension is up I can't hear compressor running continuously.
Does this mean you think the bags have temporarily repaired themselves and will go again?
If so I suppose the same question coils or bags???
Thanks again for feedback

I'd keep it as bags.

My D2 is a factory coil car, I wish I had SLS.

[Bohica]

I'd keep it as bags.

My D2 is a factory coil car, I wish I had SLS.

X2 with the bags.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Maybe some light reading/research ;)
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/good-oil/59179-eas-sls-lifts-mods-emergency-fixes-kits.html

scroll down the page,, read everything.... :)

[strangy]

That's exactly how the SLS behaves with a leaking bag, the bag has the ability to seal itself intermittently and when the engine is running the compressor keeps them inflated despite of the leak which can make it to exceed it's duty cycle or wear out prematurely, replace both bags ASAP, i'm 99.9% that this will fix things....or convert it to coils if that's your wish but IMO it's a shame to downgrade a D2 this way


Replace BOTH rear airsprings. They usually fail around the rolled part of the spring. Depending on the angle of the dangle as to exactly where the roll is currently sitting will determine whether it leaks or not. Usually a slow leak that the compressor keeps up with ... for a short time ... then your thrashing the compressor :(

Keep the SLS as its a much nicer ride and makes the D2 self levelling when you add weight in the rear.

Sent by iPhone using two tin cans and Forum Runner


As above.

Keep the bags.

[pauldouglas]

OK guys thanks for advice I have ordered 2 x new bags from rimmer brothers with clips to replace existing and will keep the good/old one as emergency spare.
Thanks again, Paul

[Fluids]

OK guys thanks for advice I have ordered 2 x new bags from rimmer brothers with clips to replace existing and will keep the good/old one as emergency spare.
Thanks again, Paul



Would also be wise to get a rebuild kit for the SLS compressor and a new air inlet filter and fit as well ...


The kits are available on ebay, come from the UK, and are dead easy to install.

[flatpack]

Pump it up to off road height. Get a little spray bottle and mix dish washing liquid and mix it about 3 to 1. Spray it all over the bags, it will bubble where it's leaking.
I had a similar issue, the guy before me had been launching his boat and not washing the salt water off properly. Both bags had slight leaks, lots of tiny bubbles would bubble up when squirted.
Sometimes it the suspension would stay up overnight and sometimes it wouldn't, I just put it down to the way the bags were folding on themselves.
2 new bags and it was sorted but it did for them compressor from overworking it, just replaced it today!

[rathgar]

OK guys thanks for advice I have ordered 2 x new bags from rimmer brothers with clips to replace existing and will keep the good/old one as emergency spare.
Thanks again, Paul

While I was waiting for my new bags to turn up I altered the ride up a bit with my nanocom. Completely stopped the leaking once a different bit of the bag was on the fold. Might help save your compresor.