D2 Replacement Airbag Suspension

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Originally Posted by DISCOBEAR

Last note to "Harlie" - imformative rant and I couldn't agree more but have you every thought of a Valium sandwich before joining the forum??? ;)

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:D:D:D

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Originally Posted by harlie

Yes Springs are probably going to be more reliable – I say probably because I’ve replaced the coils in every car I’ve ever owned because they sagged... And unfortunately there are cases of the system failing – like all technology that’s not maintained.

The air bag really have no benefit – why are there coil sprung vehicles getting around with the “helper” bags in the center of the coil for heavy towing or loading. Clearly this advice comes from someone without a clear understanding of how it works and how to fix it. The air spring is the only medium of spring that will ride at the same height and with the same comfort no matter what load they are carrying or towing. Why does virtually every late model heavy truck/bus have air – because it has no advantage – don’t think so especially when it’s worth tons of $ to have a truck breakdown...

I really don’t get the coil conversion mentality especially in the Range Rovers – if you want a coil car; go buy a Nissan or Toyota. I would be betting that your LR specialist does’t fully understand an air system because it is not that difficult system to keep going and there are heaps of people who can fix it with aftermarket replacement parts – My D2 (1999) is the only car I’ve ever owned (out of 8) to make it to 10 years without any suspension work required – yes there are people replacing bags now but these cars are now nearly 10 years old and the failed compressor is usually due to a leak not being fixed in time – once again this is often people not fully understanding the system and getting to the cause (leak) in time (even LR dealers – I’ve seen it up here). The spring conversion is also far more profitable to the garage, they actually have to think about an air system.

If you don't like the technology or you want the cheap way out than go back to old school coils - but don't bother with "The air bag really have no benefit".

And there is ways to raise an air suspension car - he might not be aware of that... I would think an LR specialist would beable to give you all the options.

Sorry I am cranky today and I really don't mean to pick on you:(

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Ouch:eek:

Seriously appreciate the input Harlie I am in the process of doing a number of mods to my D2 and everywhere I turn I seem to get conflicting advise. The minute I make a decision on something I feel like the information I get tells me it's wrong.
Anyway I was chewing the ear of this well known Melb LR specilaist telling him what I was doing and I mentioned I was putting in a 2 inch lift with airbag blocks, and advised that I heard about an option of raising the rear of the car by airbags alone, that's when he made the comment of "just put coils in they are more reliable" "there's no real benefit with bags", hence my question on Glen's thread.

Being an 2001 there is no doubt I will face the same situation as Glen, and I was just going to remove the SLS system, however after the info on this thread will probably just replace the bags.

Appreciate the input guys, that's what this place is for!

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Originally Posted by DISCOBEAR

....I have been told by a local non-genuine LR workshop that OEM bags are the only way to go as the Arnott's and Dunlop import bag do not fit without modifications????? sounds like a sales pitch to me but can someone please clarify?

OEM Bags - $560 + GST each.

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The Arnott Bags (I have them) go straight in without any mod. Dunlop actually make the OEM bag for LR so the LR bag is just a re-badged Dunlop. I believe there is a bag out there that you only need to push fit the air hose into, which means you remove the screw fitting from the hose, not really a mod at all, just a minor difference in installation.

$560ea is very cheap from LR, I was quoted $840ea 1 yr ago.

I agree with harlie, but also agree he needs help, maybe was "fiddled" with by a coil spring as a child!!!! :o :p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:wasntme:

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Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

Those bags your complaining about have probably lasted ten years,,
go back and ask your coil guy how long did his last set of coils last,,

"no advantage" ?? WTF?? and you let this guy work on your car???

:Rolling:

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Hey Pedro,

You would'nt believe that this comment was made by one of the bigger well known LR specilaists in melb. They do my servicing , but in relation to the mods I am undertaking, I am making the decision based on all the info on AULRO as it's more reliable, better source of opinion and no hidden adgenda's!

Cheers

[QUOTE=simonl8353;957112]

Sales pitch indeed!!!!!

The Arnott bags are identical in all aspects of fitment.

It took me around an hour in total to do both.
I pushed the button on the dash to lift the rear, then put the jack stands underneath. Pressed the button again and it settled on the stands.
off with the wheels. floor jack under the diff. 15 mins each bag, including lift blocks and bit of a wipe down of the area.
Reverse the procedure and its back on its wheels.

[quote=strangy;957132]

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Originally Posted by simonl8353

Sales pitch indeed!!!!!

The Arnott bags are identical in all aspects of fitment.

It took me around an hour in total to do both.
I pushed the button on the dash to lift the rear, then put the jack stands underneath. Pressed the button again and it settled on the stands.
off with the wheels. floor jack under the diff. 15 mins each bag, including lift blocks and bit of a wipe down of the area.
Reverse the procedure and its back on its wheels.

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Strangy,
Did you import the Arnott's from Florida or buy them Local?

I know I shouldn't ask this question but here goes - If you bought local where?
If you don't mind me asking how much?

Hi all,
I read this post and thought I would put my 2c worth in.
On a recent trip away the airbags on my D2 decided to give up the ghost, probably due to fatigue, judging by the soapy water trick, and let me tell you its not much fun riding on the bump stops on corrugated roads. We were able to pump up the airbags manually but they would only go down again every 20mins or so.
For me that pretty much made up my mind to replace them with coils, though the conversion was dearer then replacing the airbags.
There are pro's and con's of each, but I do go off road so I didnt need the worry of getting punctures in them.
At the moment I am finding the ride is comfortable enough and I have less electricals to worry about.
For me it was a better option to go coils.

[quote=DISCOBEAR;957147]

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Originally Posted by strangy

Strangy,
Did you import the Arnott's from Florida or buy them Local?

I know I shouldn't ask this question but here goes - If you bought local where?
If you don't mind me asking how much?

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From Florida September last year. I'll have to dig up the invoice for the exact amount, but, 368.00 from my recollection, at my door in Alice Springs.
Remember though the AUD was 97 something cents against the USD at that time.

Cheers

Mark

I have replaced mine as well from Arnott's at the time the Aussie dollar was high. Same price as strangy. For my situation, I wanted to keep the air, am in the process of lifting the car, (ordered my rear blocks). I like the idea of being able to load the car & it pumps up to the original height. I think its a personal decision weather to go coils or air.
Clarky, were your air bags old? I find it hard to believe they would fail if new,or newish unless manufacturers fault but i see your point!!
Dave.

I have replaced quite a few D2 air springs recently, 1999 models all so far. they are failing due to age and perishing, and I would expect this after 10 years, RRC and P38a all suffer the same fate.

As regards the fitment of coils, I would ONLY advocate(and I recently advised this) doing this if travelling remote areas with loads etc. The reason I say this is that IF, and a big 'IF' here, there is a problem with the compressor/airbag/sensors then the trip is effectively over. The effects of attempting to drive on the bumpstops when fully loaded and in rough terrain will at the very least cause a cracked/ broken diff housing or worse.

I think the SLS system in these is quite reliable, so what if you have to replace a bag or 2 in a 10 year time period? Whats the problem with lifting them? I have done a couple now and the results are fine.

I would suggest that the older RRC EAS system could be more unreliable...


JC