Air suspension struts - how can they still be good after 250k?

[nixo]

On a number of occasions i’ve seen people on the forum say that their air struts are still going strong after 200,250,300+ kilometers. But how can suspension be any good after that many k’s? Surely the strut part (which i assume handles small bump compliance) is shot around the same km’s any regular shock strut is shot - 80-120k or whatever. I’ve assumed that what’s happening is that the strut part is worn and performing poorly, but is masked by the air suspension. Or, is there something special about this suspension that allows it to perform well even with big kms on them?

This fella cut one open.

Why Do My Air Shocks Fail - What's Inside Air Shocks Cut Open - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WRKj4jQjoU)

[PerthDisco]

It’s a top priority when I save up but at 260k km on original 15 year old units no leaks and still drives well on all surfaces. I don’t know why either.

[Graeme]

Air-springs don't have a length to which they try to return to so won't induce bouncing when shocks are worn-out. Hence unless worn shocks are tested with extra load or adverse road conditions they won't normally exhibit the severe characteristics that steel springs will induce. Due to the road conditions where I drive, my D4's shocks became rather useless by 80K kms but only after 40K for cheaper after-market shocks. I knew that the CVDs on my L322 at 100K kms weren't in great condition for normal unladen driving but on undulating surfaces with the van attached the shocks showed that they were indeed very worn-out, being incapable of preventing both front and rear bounce.

[Redtail]

I've been having a similar conversation with my indy.

Having just replaced the front pair (full set of struts - bags with shocks) due to a leak in one of them, I asked about the rear shocks in particular, because any other car I've had with this mileage - 160k - would be on its second set by now.
He assured me that he rarely ever has to replace any, as they seem to go forever. Graeme's explanation goes some way to explaining why, thanks.

I am not sure if I can tell if the rears are worn or not. I do long distances on rough roads with a loaded car only, and so far I can't pick it.

This may well change when I whack a camper on the back in the next year or so, but for now I'm hanging onto my cash.

[Eric SDV6SE]

120 to 160k kms seems normal for these. The airbag do hide or mask a lot of the wear in the shock themselves. Changed mine at around 200k, once out of the car and deflated, the old shocks were a good 50mm shorter than the new, no damping left in them at all.

[cjc_td5]

I did my struts at around 220,000km. I had noticed a subtle twitchiness when changing lanes, but no other major symptoms. The new ones ride like new again, not that the ride with the old struts was bad at all!

Yes they seem to have an amazing life span.

[PerthDisco]

My only fear is the new BWI owned versions will not be as good.

[loanrangie]

My only fear is the new BWI owned versions will not be as good.

AFAIK still made in the UK and are exactly the same as original so shouldn't be any difference.

[Bulletman]

My only fear is the new BWI owned versions will not be as good.
I replaced mine with BWI struts on all 4 corners and reckon after 20,000 k's the ride is worse than my original which done from memory 180k or close enough. I also replace all the arms at the same time so can't blame worn arms for my suspicions about the struts.
I have a spare front and rear strut that a got from a forum member that were fitted with bilstein shocks and am looking at purchasing some new shocks and fitting to the BWI units .
Cheers Bulletman

[Bulletman]

AFAIK still made in the UK and are exactly the same as original so shouldn't be any difference.
When I asked AF im positive they told me they are made in China by Beijing west industries , but were made to the same standard as the Delphi struts.
Cheers Bulletman

[loanrangie]

When I asked AF im positive they told me they are made in China by Beijing west industries , but were made to the same standard as the Delphi struts.
Cheers Bulletman

Thats not good, doesn't leave many options apart from genuine then.

[PerthDisco]

When I asked AF im positive they told me they are made in China by Beijing west industries , but were made to the same standard as the Delphi struts.
Cheers Bulletman

Somewhere west of Beijing I’m guessing.

[Bulletman]

Somewhere west of Beijing I’m guessing.

I was at the time purchasing a new radiator after already having purchased and fitted the air struts and commented that I wanted a nissens brand not a made in China brand and his reply was my last purchase was made in China so why was I worried. My previous purchase was the 4 BWI struts as the package deal they did. I asked if he was referencing the struts and he said Beijing West Industries which now make the struts to Delphi specs... So read that as you will but I took it as they were now made in China.

To be honest if it wasn't so expensive to do so I would return them plus I'm only going on my feel of the car not any special tests to prove my suspicions, so it would be very easy for them to say they are fine and then I'm up for more expense to pay return freight not to mention a car out of action for a month or so .
Cheers Bulletman

[Lusby]

I thought the suspension was gettng a little bouncy on my D4 with 152k km on it, but nothing too bad. Then I drove a D4 with 42k km on it today and the difference was obvious, the steering felt a bit nicer too. The struts on the low kilometer D4 (MY16) had BWI labels on them.

[josh.huber]

Hey bullet,

I am the same as you, my AF units are feeling crap. I reckon they are 60k old, not really sure, I know I won't get warranty, Rock Auto has a good price on Bilstein 4600 series shocks. I'll be building my own struts and replacing the BWI aswell, for me the Bilstein units will need to be painted. Don't want bright yellow shocks.

[RoundaWhile]

BWI group took over Delphi in 2009. So every D4 has "chinese" struts [bigsmile]

[loanrangie]

BWI group took over Delphi in 2009. So every D4 has "chinese" struts [bigsmile]Not necessarily, I believe they were still made in the UK until quite recently.

[Graeme]

The Land Rover part numbers had been almost ground off my cheap set that lasted not more than half as long as genuine LR. Oil and seal quality options and the possibility of restricted use of LR valve settings leaves plenty of room for poor quality versions from the same factory that produces the genuine parts.

[PerthDisco]

The question is if what LR genuine spares would sell you be any different to what AF supplies?

[loanrangie]

The question is if what LR genuine spares would sell you be any different to what AF supplies?Probably only difference would be a sticker.

[loanrangie]

Out of interest has anyone fitted Dunlop struts ?

[PerthDisco]

Out of interest has anyone fitted Dunlop struts ?

Or Arnott or Beck there’s a few

[nixo]

Air-springs don't have a length to which they try to return to so won't induce bouncing when shocks are worn-out. Hence unless worn shocks are tested with extra load or adverse road conditions they won't normally exhibit the severe characteristics that steel springs will induce. Due to the road conditions where I drive, my D4's shocks became rather useless by 80K kms but only after 40K for cheaper after-market shocks. I knew that the CVDs on my L322 at 100K kms weren't in great condition for normal unladen driving but on undulating surfaces with the van attached the shocks showed that they were indeed very worn-out, being incapable of preventing both front and rear bounce.

Thanks graham and everyone else for the responses. Seems I was sort of on the right track.

The question for me now is whether I use the 4x new delphi struts that I bought for the D3 a couple of years ago on the new 115k D4? Seems like it might not make all that big a difference. But would be nice to get some better small bump compliance as I’m finding the D4 a bit harsh - although that could be the 19” wheels and australia’s notoriously ****ty road surfaces. Perhaps i’m expecting too much form the new D4 suspension (as D3 is over 300k on originals and 18s), or maybe the lower control arms are shot, which I think they might be. Maybe I’ll get the LCAs replaced first and see if that improves the ride quality.

[Eric SDV6SE]

[QUOTE
The question for me now is whether I use the 4x new delphi struts that I bought for the D3 a couple of years ago on the new 115k D4? Seems like it might not make all that big a difference. But would be nice to get some better small bump compliance as I’m finding the D4 a bit harsh - although that could be the 19” wheels and australia’s notoriously ****ty road surfaces. Perhaps i’m expecting too much form the new D4 suspension (as D3 is over 300k on originals and 18s), or maybe the lower control arms are shot, which I think they might be. Maybe I’ll get the LCAs replaced first and see if that improves the ride quality.[/QUOTE]
AFAIK the struts for the D3 and D4 abd RRS are the same. Mine lasted over 200,000km so perhaps 115k is too early? Agree with replacing LCAs will be the biggest difference.

[Tombie]

I have the full suspension kit coming this week. After 180,000km it’s pretty much done!

4x OEM assemblies and 8 arms, hub bushes etc.

Going to be a busy time in the workshop soon!

[Eric SDV6SE]

I have the full suspension kit coming this week. After 180,000km it’s pretty much done!

4x OEM assemblies and 8 arms, hub bushes etc.

Going to be a busy time in the workshop soon!

Will drive like new once done, well worth the effort IMHO.

[Tombie]

Will drive like new once done, well worth the effort IMHO.

For sure, a mid-life rebuild as far as im concerned and look forward to it all being as it was when new.

[Barraman]

An interesting conversation!

I am pretty well in tune with the feel of my 2015 D4 TDV6. Its now done 240,000 km, about 70,000 of those towing a 2.5T boat/trailer - including 6 x 4,000 km round trips to the NT. It drives and feels the same as it did when I first picked it up from the dealer.

[PerthDisco]

For sure, a mid-life rebuild as far as im concerned and look forward to it all being as it was when new.

Be keen to know what brand arms ordered and hub bushes Lemforder?

[Tombie]

Be keen to know what brand arms ordered and hub bushes Lemforder?

Lemforder bushes and I modified order a bit.
Only front and rear Upper arms now. Rebuilding lowers as easier and less freight.

New arms are OE… rears run RRS bushes

[TheDonsWay]

My D3 is sitting on original air struts and 349,000 km. Only 1 has an issue with a split in the bag, the other 3 are still hanging in there with no signs of problems developing.

[Tombie]

My D3 is sitting on original air struts and 349,000 km. Only 1 has an issue with a split in the bag, the other 3 are still hanging in there with no signs of problems developing.

I can 100% guarantee it rides nowhere near like it should…

Wait until you throw new struts in, you won’t know yourself!

[hpal]

Out of interest has anyone fitted Dunlop struts ?
I'm just about to replace a set of front Dunlops, lasted 50,000km and both airbags are leaking. A bit disappointing.
original fronts did 210,000 and rears still working great at 260,000km

[loanrangie]

I'm just about to replace a set of front Dunlops, lasted 50,000km and both airbags are leaking. A bit disappointing.
original fronts did 210,000 and rears still working great at 260,000km

Yeah i saw you post on FB Hayden,i'll steer clear of them.

[maxperformance]

Interesting thread.

I checked with previous owner and also tried to verify that mine still are original ones, at 329k kms now without leaks.

I compared directly with my wife's Prado Altitude 2012 model (has air suspension too) and the D3 has easier and better ride over local bumps.