Best coil vs EAS article so far

[aussiebushman]

In the last part of the thread "behaving well" on this site, I started a debate about coils vs EAS (yes, I know this matter thas been debated many, many times) but my situation is probably a little different to most due to where I live.

I did make the point that there seems to be little consensus. However, I have just found one post that seems better: EAS vs Coils (yep, I said it) | Range Rovers Forum (https://www.rangerovers.net/threads/eas-vs-coils-yep-i-said-it.7353/)

This is influencing me to make the change and NO I do not want to be subjected to the usual rant that I'm changing the reason for buying a vehicle with EAS in the first place. I'm only interested in performance for my particular driving conditions. That said, please do comment, especially if you have practical experience of the benefits (or otherwise)

[Captain_Rightfoot]

I have a car with coils. I do think the LR air suspension is par excellence in so many ways though. The only thing wrong with it is that they do fail more often than coils.

Where I go a air suspension fault means you are going home on a recovery truck, and I just don't think it's good enough for me to run the risk.

[RANDLOVER]

Due to one slow pin hole leak, my D3's front ones were changed at approx 300 000kms and 20 years, my mechanic said judging by the stickers they looked original.

[aussiebushman]

I have a car with coils. I do think the LR air suspension is par excellence in so many ways though. The only thing wrong with it is that they do fail more often than coils.

Where I go a air suspension fault means you are going home on a recovery truck, and I just don't think it's good enough for me to run the risk.

Precisely!

In my case, the system has been overridden with manual valves so as long as I have remembered to put the ARB compressor into the vehicle, I can probably get home, but the real drama is the dreadful ride - with the body slamming onto the back tyres at every pothole and washout. It seems most likely that coils would overcome that problem

[TonyC]

Precisely!

In my case, the system has been overridden with manual valves so as long as I have remembered to put the ARB compressor into the vehicle, I can probably get home, but the real drama is the dreadful ride - with the body slamming onto the back tyres at every pothole and washout. It seems most likely that coils would overcome that problem

I have no experience with P38As, but the above statement doesn't make sense to me.

At no stage should the tyres ever touch the body work, the car is unroadworthy if thay can.

Air springs are by their very nature a progressive spring, this rising rate can be changed by the internal piston.

Most coil spring are linear rate, you can make progressive rate coils, but I can't think of a Land Rover that uses them, I'm happy to be corrected.

In addition the pressure in the air spring increases as the load increases further increasing the spring rate.
You have lost this happening automatically, but can still do it manually by increasing air pressure to restore the ride hight when you load it up.

I would have thought a coil set up is more likely to bottom out than an air spring in the same set up.

Tony

[Graeme]

The shocks must be useless to allow any spring to compress to that extent on bumps.

[PeterH]

Ultimately it's up to you if you prefer coils as a more reliable option, given the remote area you live.
I know P38 purists will sometimes howl down any thought of coils, but sometimes it is probably a more practical option for someone like yourself.

If you are relying on a manually inflated system, this is already a compromise and while fine for emergencies, not ideal for everyday driving, specially the type of driving you are doing.
The rear suspension bottoming out should not be happening, it sounds like not enough air pressure or an issue with the valve block or possibly height sensors.
Your situation is different to mine and you need to do what is best for you.

Personally, I love the EAS on mine, of course I did go through a process of getting it sorted out properly over a few years, ended up with 4 new airbags and rebuilt valve block.
The big thing that made all the difference for me was a brand new dunlop compressor.
Like all vehicle parts, they do wear over time and eventually need replacing.
While the compressor was not cheap, my system has been a pleasure to drive for quite a while now, with no issues at all.

[Captain_Rightfoot]

This whole thing is a crux for the current land rover line up. Look at the defender.. it's capabilities give it's operators a kind of capability that's hard (impossible??) to get in a vehicle without all the electronics. It's just that if/when it goes wrong it can be very expensive.

My defender has 180k on it, and in that time I've broken two coils (like snapped) and destroyed 3 sets of Bilestein shockies. I only use my car for remote travel so my suspension cops a flogging. It's just not worth it for me.

But if I lived in a relatively populated area, not too far from a LR dealer/mechanic then I reckon the benefits would be worth it.

[aussiebushman]

Very interesting feedback, as usual.

For the record, the rear shocks were changed to NEW ones just recently - at the same time the rear airbags were replaced, one with an ARNOTT unit, the other with a Dunlop bag, whch is all I had at the time.

When the system is pumped up with the ARB compressor, all corners are clear of the wheels by at least 75mm. However, they do not hold the air for more than a couple of days at best and as stated earlier, the heavy load caused the rear to drop

I am sick of fighting with this system and I think I'll change to coils as soon as I can affOrd to do so. The next problem will be which COILS?

[BradC]

I am sick of fighting with this system and I think I'll change to coils as soon as I can affOrd to do so.

Of course the back drops when you put a load in it. That's why there are height sensors and the car increases the pressure in the bags to compensate. None of that which is working on your car. If it's dropping over a couple of days, there's a leak.

Fighting with it would be if it were complete and functioning. You are trying to use a hammer to put in a screw and then complaining the thread doesn't grip.

Go coils.

[Captain_Rightfoot]

Of course.. there is the option of coils and airbags. This way you can tweak your setup depending on what your doing. It's not as automated as the LR system, but it works and it's reliable.

The only downside with the system is that when you pump the airbags up you increase the spring rates. But if you don't increase the damping you are less than optimal. That needs to be somewhat considered. Perhaps you are a little over damped when light.. or have adjustable dampers.

[aussiebushman]

Of course.. there is the option of coils and airbags. This way you can tweak your setup depending on what your doing. It's not as automated as the LR system, but it works and it's reliable.

The only downside with the system is that when you pump the airbags up you increase the spring rates. But if you don't increase the damping you are less than optimal. That needs to be somewhat considered. Perhaps you are a little over damped when light.. or have adjustable dampers.


I like your idea. If possible, please provide more information on how the coils are fitted and if this allows the existing airbage to remain (remember the original syatem has been disconected ne fills via shraeder valves)

[Captain_Rightfoot]

I like your idea. If possible, please provide more information on how the coils are fitted and if this allows the existing airbage to remain (remember the original syatem has been disconected ne fills via shraeder valves)
This is the process!


https://youtu.be/CjloBkgZ0vg'si=RS8dVy5jgQXhbn6r