Thread: D3 lower control arms

Hey Paul,

I don't know the authoritative answer but can tell you what the LR Service / Factory Repair manual has to say on the matter:

(Section 204-01 - Description and Operation)

General: The front suspension is a fully independent design which offers a reduction in unsprung weight over the beam axle design
fitted to previous Land Rover models. The front suspension comprises an upper control arm, a lower control arm, a wheel
knuckle and hub, an anti-roll bar and links assembly and a damper assembly. The damper can have a coil spring or air
spring, both damper types use a similar design. The suspension components are common to both coil and air spring
versions.

Later in the chapter it states:

On vehicles fitted with coil springs there is a jacking bracket located on the lower control arm.

Part number 17 in the attached diagram is the jacking bracket and there is no separate diagram for Air Models.

And I assume that would be the difference between the parts.

The chapter is too large to post, but PM or email me and I can send it to you if that would be useful (or the entire Front Suspension section which has detailed procedures, torques etc if you need it).

Hope that helps a little !

Cheers,
Michael

Micheal, you are a bloody legend. I rang LR here in Canberra and while they could confirm that it was a different part number they couldn't say what was different about it. There is a significant difference in price due to the volume that is sold so if I can use the air ones that would be awesome. If you can email the info through to neltech dot engineering at gmail dot com

That would be great.

I love this forum

Cheers
Paul

I'll email it to you when I get to my computer later in the day. I always recommend that folks Don't base life decisions on my assumptions - but the book seems fairly clear - see what you think and let us all know how you go.

Canberra stealer ... Recently had a very expensive experience with them as a result of tossing a wheel bearing on the way to the snow. Good service horrific price.

Also (if I am right this question will make sense if not ignore), I found a part of the lhs headrest cable in my lhs seat whilst cleaning up glass from a recent break in where they smashed my window - d'oh ! Did you get them working ? Maybe able to extricate cable if needed.

Cheers
Michael

Hahahaha, small world. I saw the photos that you put up at work. I hope that it all worked out. I ended up having to pull them out and tidy up the terminals from the cable and a couple of new fuses but they are working a treat.

Regards
Paul

Hahaha, small world indeed. All sorted thanks to NRMA & the Canberra stealer. Probably should turn my attention to the RHS bearing before it has a similar issue - but at ACT stealer prices, I thought I'd get that done here !

Cheers,
Michael

Originally Posted by Epic pooh

Part number 17 in the attached diagram is the jacking bracket and there is no separate diagram for Air Models.

And I assume that would be the difference between the parts.

I am fascinated - a jacking bracket on the lower A arm of the coil models!

I wonder why not on the air spring models?

There is so much articulation on the air spring models that I most often jack on the underside of the A frame but I always wondered if that was really OK. It sure makes changing a tyre easy.

Jacking on the rear A arm does not work so well but the fronts, it is hard to resist.

Is part 17 some sort of bolt on piece? I doubt it - would think it is welded but ....

Mine is normally jacked under the A arm also - the mechanic does it that way and says its fine, certainly never caused an issue. One day I (in theory) may try to get it to lift its own wheel by shoving the jack under the A arm with ignition on then letting jack down slightly (I've read it will then lift a wheel).

I've never seen the part in question, but it would be useful on air models, that's for sure. I imagine it would be welded on to take the weight, looks welded from the diagram - be interesting to hear from Paul if his actually has this part or if it is a figment of my manuals imagination (ie. production change or a case of 'good idea - lets not do it').

Bizzarely in the section of the repair manual I have about jacking and lifting, there is no mention of this part - only references are to points A, B, C on the chassis rails. The manual actually explicitly states not to jack under the suspension arms. Maybe that should strike a cautionary note.

Solihull at their finest !?!