SLS on Disco 2

[mightgeta4be]

Is the SLS similar to the poly air suspension with an air bag inside a coil or is it an air bag on its own. I read in various articles that if the air bag blows on the LR suspension its a case of limp home with the rear end hanging low. Can some one explain the difference.
Are the SLS unit replaceable with polyair or something similar or are the SLS unit s as good as these. Have seen so many posts praising the SLS and others that say stay clear
:thumbsdown::thumbsup:

[Piddler]

Is the SLS similar to the poly air suspension with an air bag inside a coil or is it an air bag on its own. I read in various articles that if the air bag blows on the LR suspension its a case of limp home with the rear end hanging low. Can some one explain the difference.
Are the SLS unit replaceable with polyair or something similar or are the SLS unit s as good as these. Have seen so many posts praising the SLS and others that say stay clear
:thumbsdown::thumbsup:


Airbag on their own
Great when working
Cheers

[Pedro_The_Swift]

SLS is the airbag system for the 7 seat model D2.

The system Self Levels regardless of rear axel weight.

[BradM]

Hi,
The rear springs are replaced on each side by an air bag . The air pressure is supplied by an on board compressor under the passenger side of the Disco which is in turn controlled by the ABS/SLS computer. There are two sensors on the trailing arms which feed inputs on the ABS/SLS computer.

If the air bag goes down then you are stuffed unless you have a spare air bag and/or a kit to inflate them without the compressor.

BradM

[mightgeta4be]

Thanks BradM

I see you have SLS, Have you had any problems with your set up.

[BigJon]

SLS is the airbag system for the 7 seat model D2.

.

It was an option on 5 seaters, IIRC.

[mightgeta4be]

In most instances What has been the major fault with the SLS is it air bag failure or system problems. What would be the expected km before failures start to occur. Is it a difficult job to replace the airbags?

[langy]

Even though I don't have a D2 with airbags - I have seen what others have said about what does happen with them on D2's mentioned here and in some UK mags. Top problem is the valve block assembly jamming or leaking. There is for sale in various places a set of 4 tubes to screw into the valve block assembly so you can manually inflate the airbags ( and just a note, they are like the airbags you see on some newer semi trailers, not like a polyair bag). 2nd is the bags themselves leaking - like semi trailer suspension, the bag walls move alot and sometimes fail. Indications are that replacements are genuine parts only at this time. 3rd is failure of the compressor when there is a leak ( ie it stays on and burns itself out) and last there is occasionally height sensor failures, and the ECU playing up, but from what I can gather it's the first 2 that cause the most headaches.

At least if the compressor stays on you know somethings wrong. If it fails and you can't get parts it's an easy conversion to go to coils.

[harlie]

Valve block is the major weak point, but to keep out of trouble as stated above there are work arounds to get you home.

I'm sure most who have worked with air system on heavy vehicles would agree that the actual air bag (disco 2 is a tapered rolling bellows) failure to the point where you are stranded is rare. They will split around the radius at the point that is "rolled" at the standard height. This split will start as a small leak first indicated by the vehicle "slumped" after being parked over night (maybe longer or shorter) it will return to height after starting - from this point 99% of bags will still be serviceable for quite some time. Heavy vehicles see bag problems because the bag is not replaced when it first starts to leak. How many buses/trucks have you seen parked up leaning over or squating at the rear?
After market bags have been available for a while now - you can get just the rubber bag or the full assembly with top plate and piston ready to slide in.

My disco is still on it's original bags and at last inspection (yes easy to do) there is still no sign of deteration, can expect 10years but like everything (including coils) many are replaced earlier. Had air suspension on my D1 before that and I wouldn't have a 4wd with out it, but it does hepl that i know the systems backwards

[milney]

Can the air suspensions be lifted? Seven seats were my priority, now that I have them ARB have told me that it can’t be lifted. Is this true?

I only want a couple of inches for clearance and larger tyres and having read these forums I now know I need different suspension to accommodate a bar and winch. What are my options, or do I even have options?

Milney

[chuck]

SLS or air suspension can be lifted.
I have a TD5 with longer front springs & longer bilstein shocks.
On the back the SLS sensor is tricked to raise it 50mm with longer bilstein shocks - the down side of this is the bags run at higher pressure & may wear out quicker.
Having said that mine handles fantastically both on & off road.
After I fitted this system I found out that 4x4intelligence.com.au manufacture a better system.
You can get replacement bags OK now for about $500.00 a pair.
I have heard rumours that you can get 50 mm longer bags but have not seen them.

If you tow a trailer sls is fantastic - you can also raise the rear in the bush to prevent rear contact with bumper bar etc.

Hope this helps.

Regards

Chuck

[Graeme]

I have a TD5 with longer front springs & longer bilstein shocks.
On the back the SLS sensor is tricked to raise it 50mm with longer bilstein shocks - the down side of this is the bags run at higher pressure & may wear out quicker.

I have seen this setup destroy 2 airbags as the bags were able to over-extend with the longer shocks. The owner had to drive out of the desert with no suspension on 1 side as he only had 1 spare - very uncomfortable and very hard on the vehicle. Use the spacer kit with the longer shocks.