D4 Suspension Airbags life?

[gavinwibrow]

Haven't noticed this question raised, so here goes.
Any experience of airbag life/replacement suggestions/options?

[loanrangie]

The shocks go soft well before the bags fail, seems to be at around 200k.

[LGM]

I agree with loanrangie.....I replaced the airbags on all corners of my D4 at around the 215k mark. Nothing to do with the airbag condition but everything to do with stuffed shocks! Replaced the fronts first then about a month later did the rears not for any other reason than spreading the cost. When the fronts were done the improvement in the ride was very noticeable. When the backs were done there was further noticeable improvement.

[Grappler]

I agree with loanrangie.....I replaced the airbags on all corners of my D4 at around the 215k mark. Nothing to do with the airbag condition but everything to do with stuffed shocks! Replaced the fronts first then about a month later did the rears not for any other reason than spreading the cost. When the fronts were done the improvement in the ride was very noticeable. When the backs were done there was further noticeable improvement.

Yes, same. I replaced the bags due to shock failure on my 2006 RRS at about the same klms. Solved a clunk in the rear going over bumps

[Rok_Dr]

I haven’t had any experience with D3/4 Bags but with my SLS softdash classic and D2 rear bags I found that failure was more time rather than distance related.

Both cars needed airbags replacing around 10-13 years. Kms from memory were in the mid-high 100Ks.

Cheers

Steve

[PerthDisco]

Trickiest bit seems to be deciding between Genuine / OEM / After Market as quite a few options out there.

Keep us informed if you do an updated search.

[gavinwibrow]

Thanks all. New shockies at 200K by PO, but airbags presumably still original now at 230K. I hope Steve is right (I've had the same experience with the RRC EAS bags - tending towards time rather than km, although there is obviously some interaction).

Ummmm! Great Central Road trip to NT/Qld and back pulling the brick coming up, so a decision to be made. Pity the spare set for the RRC currently hiding in the dark in storage won't fit.

[gavinwibrow]

Trickiest bit seems to be deciding between Genuine / OEM / After Market as quite a few options out there.

Keep us informed if you do an updated search.


Will do, but to me airbags are a bit like shockies and tyres - don't mess with quality. And I'm sure we all take the same approach.

[PerthDisco]

Unless you had random shockie failure at low kms it would seem bonkers to not change them as a unit at 200k km time. Probably not much price difference either with extra labour to split the unit.

[gavinwibrow]

Unless you had random shockie failure at low kms it would seem bonkers to not change them as a unit at 200k km time. Probably not much price difference either with extra labour to split the unit.


I would have got informed and done so as a matter of course, but were done by PO, not me.

[gavinwibrow]

I would have got informed and done so as a matter of course, but were done by PO, not me.

Who's a silly boy then (me)

PO just confirmed "air struts" were replaced as part of the upper and lower control arms at 200K:ehigh5:

[Eric SDV6SE]

Question, can the shock absorbers be replaced whilst keeping the same airbag, or is it wiser to replace the complete assembly? Coming up to 200,000km so need to make a plan. I would be changing out all four.

[PerthDisco]

Question, can the shock absorbers be replaced whilst keeping the same airbag, or is it wiser to replace the complete assembly? Coming up to 200,000km so need to make a plan. I would be changing out all four.

Yes, it’s a separate part you can buy or the complete strut assembly. People have tried aftermarket shocks with no success.

As previously said replacing the entire unit seems wise.

[Ozzy119]

As previously said replacing the entire unit seems wise.

I think my shocks have had their best days. Approaching 170K's but have travelled + towing, over some rough tracks each year.

Haven't spoken to local mechanic yet, but from others who already know, what is the approx cost per set (entire unit)?

Also, any tips on a simple test to see how the shocks are. I suppose Pedders might be able to evaluate performance.

[PerthDisco]

Haven't spoken to local mechanic yet, but from others who already know, what is the approx cost per set (entire unit)?

Front Air Shock Absorbers (https://www.advancedfactors.co.uk/front-air-shock-absorbers-14157-c.asp)

Exploded drawing

Plus shipping & gst

[LRD414]

I think my shocks have had their best days.
I'm feeling the same at 107k travelled but that has included some tough conditions for shocks, not just highway miles.
Feels somewhat "wallowy" in corners and on a recent trip where some of the country roads were quite lumpy.
Obviously don't want to replace too early but also don't want to let it go beyond what is sensible.
I wonder if others have replaced in the 120-150k time frame?

Scott

[Eric SDV6SE]

189,000 km and getting a bit clunky, still on original shocks. LCAs done at 120,000.

[Odysseyman]

Years ago when I worked in the automotive parts and accessories industries (Bilstein, Koni and Tokico shockers were part of our inventory) i was told that the expected service life of original shockers on most vehicles was 80,000 kms. Unfortunately I have never been able to verify the truth of this assertion except from my own “seat of the pants” experience, although I have seen plenty of shock dyno graphs from used shockers which they said proved poor performance at that kind of mileage.

I bought my D4 with 65,000kms on the clock and driving it home from Brisbane to Melbourne I thought it felt very wallowy, front to rear, compared to the car I owned before I bought it, a Ford Ranger Wildtrak on which I had fitted Koni Raid shockers, which themselves had done about 50,000 fairly strenuous kms. I have put it down to the complete difference in the setup of the Disco, however I still wonder whether the rear shockers particularly, on the Disco, are not up to the task. Maybe because I have always spent money on good suspension components in most of my cars I expect a lot. I’m still thinking about it...

I believe the only true way to test whether a shocker is performing as it is intended is to put it on a shock dyno.

Poor on road performance has has a habit of creeping up on us unnoticed. I reckon if anyone is getting 150,000 - 180,000kms out of their shockers are doing very well, especially if having driven on gravel roads and towing.

David

[Plane Fixer]

I changed all four airbag assemblies at about 180,000 and the difference was amazing. I used the OEM and not the LR branded, I believe they are Delphi. I am also on my second set of LCA bushes which are Lemforder Total mileage is almost 200,000KM

[Eric SDV6SE]

I changed all four airbag assemblies at about 180,000 and the difference was amazing. I used the OEM and not the LR branded, I believe they are Delphi. I am also on my second set of LCA bushes which are Lemforder Total mileage is almost 200,000KM
Yep, a set of four airbag / shock assemblies is now on the list.

[DiscoJeffster]

Yep, a set of four airbag / shock assemblies is now on the list.

I went with “OEM” and didn’t notice a huge (actually any) change in ride. Mine were changed at 220k km. Some say the genuine LR are better so maybe that’s a factor. I didn’t have a huge ride issue other than on one off-road track, the long undulations caused an uncontrolled oscillation that it felt like a pogo. I decided that this was a good indication that they weren’t at their best. Saying that, haven’t driven that track again, so can’t say if that improved. I honestly expected night and day and was surprised to not notice any change. My car had had an easy life, no off-road, so maybe the shocks weren’t in poor condition compared to some.

[Eric SDV6SE]

I have clunks in the running gear. The clunk is different than the LCA noise, seems like the top and bottom bushes of the suspension. Especially noticeable on corrugations. We do a fair bit of towing as well. It’s not affecting handling as yet, but will need to get it sorted.

[discorevy]

I have clunks in the running gear. The clunk is different than the LCA noise, seems like the top and bottom bushes of the suspension. Especially noticeable on corrugations. We do a fair bit of towing as well. It’s not affecting handling as yet, but will need to get it sorted.

Replace your sway bar bushes.

[Redback]

Replaced the front only so far, only reason being that the right airbag was separating front the housing causing it to drop further than the other side, so we replaced both, rear are still good, car has done 220k 90% towing with 50/60%off road, the cars been around and done it all, no soft stuff for this D4.

[Ozzy119]

Replaced all 4 (strut and bags set as one) and have to say, the car has a much better ride now.

Very happy with the result. Guess I'm keeping this one for another 9 yrs now ha ha.

[PerthDisco]

Replaced all 4 (strut and bags set as one) and have to say, the car has a much better ride now.

Very happy with the result. Guess I'm keeping this one for another 9 yrs now ha ha.

Details of what make and supplier are of interest. Thanks

[Ozzy119]

Details of what make and supplier are of interest. Thanks

Through my local LR mechanic. I asked for OEM.

Feels like a new car again.

[PerthDisco]

I reckon for the small $ also do sway bar bushes for the full reset assuming lower control arms in good condition.