Thread: Replacement struts

Originally Posted by TD50WA

Hi all

My 2005 D3 is in need of new bags and shocks. She has over 280k and I'm pretty sure they are the originals.
There doesn't seem to be an over abundance of info on this matter but what are my options:
Original factory D3
Original factory D4 - a bit stiffer?
Koni with factory bags- any good - reliable - believe there was some question as to their lifespan here in Aus?
Bilstein with factory bags - can't seem to find much info on these
Arnotts front bags with Bilstein struts - but they don't do the rears - anyone know why not?
Any other options?....any feedback on any of the above greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Kev

I have a 2006 TDV6HSE with 250km and original springs, how did you know the springs had had it? Mine still seem good but this is the first air sprung car I have owned - feels a lot better than coils or leaves given the kms too.

Any shock absorber is not designed to last those sort of kms. The car was a bit floaty and tended to bottom out on larger bumps off road. On top of that I had a front airbag leaking slowly. I've now put new struts in the front but still have to do the rears and it's quite obvious that the rear shocks are not so good anymore when compared to the new fronts.

Thanks Kev,

I haven't noticed any issues so far but then again I'm not used to air suspension vehicles yet (this is the first and it's the most comfortable I've driven on and off road).

My indy mechanic seemed to think the springs were in good shape last service but I have been wondering what the life of them are. I guess I'll just have to keep an eye on them.

James

I couldn't go back to coils after having airbags.....

James, I'd start putting some coin away now for new complete struts because their life expectancy is less than what both our cars have done.....not to say they couldn't last for many more k's yet though.

Are yours original do you know or could they be replacements already?

I know mine were original, I had a leaking one in the front but will replace the rears ones very soon. I'm also going to replace all the crossover valves and height sensors too.....precautionary because Sod's law says they'll break out back somewhere if I don't.
I ended up with Delphi units from England way cheaper than local even including freight. Easy job to do yourself as well.
Kev.

I'm pretty sure they are the originals. I'm the second owner and the original owner kept very detailed service documentation. I only replaced the LCAs last and the air compressor (and the diffs the year before) and I can see he had replaced the trans, timing and HPFP belts etc but no mention of struts.

I think I will start factoring a full 4 strut replacement soon. Good advice - thanks.

Once this is done the car would just about be new again!

Yeah, the joy of owning a Land Rover haha....but worth it of course.

Originally Posted by morpheus

Thanks Kev,

I haven't noticed any issues so far but then again I'm not used to air suspension vehicles yet (this is the first and it's the most comfortable I've driven on and off road).

My indy mechanic seemed to think the springs were in good shape last service but I have been wondering what the life of them are. I guess I'll just have to keep an eye on them.

James

The troubles are a/ the air springs take up a lot of the slack when the shockers are shot so you won't notice so much until you really need the stability and b/ replacing just the shocks requires dismantling the entire assembly so it becomes not much more expensive to replace the whole lot and c/ if the shocks are really bad there's a chance they've leaked and the spring will have deteriorated on the inside where you can't see it.

So I'm told. By the people offering to take my money