Thread: Air strut replacement

I'm still confused if the air bag part lasts for ever or the shock is what is being talked about here with different brands mentioned (LR, Dunlop etc) - certainly the Dunlop Volley is a long lived product - is there any choice other than LR on the air bag part? I have seen an American product mentioned.

I'm hoping to see a detailed How To Guide emerge from this one for those in the 'it's a keeper category'. I saw you need to air down via a device before disconnecting.

Originally Posted by PerthDisco

I'm still confused if the air bag part lasts for ever or the shock is what is being talked about here with different brands mentioned (LR, Dunlop etc) - certainly the Dunlop Volley is a long lived product - is there any choice other than LR on the air bag part? I have seen an American product mentioned.

I'm hoping to see a detailed How To Guide emerge from this one for those in the 'it's a keeper category'. I saw you need to air down via a device before disconnecting.

I've only heard of a couple of air bags blowing out, really I'm only replacing the whole unit together because it's only a small saving to buy the shock absorber by itself. And my shock absorbers will be nearly worn out.

All of the above prices are for the entire unit which can be replaced by yourself. If you want to do the shock absorber only you will need to send the air strut to a shop to remove and replace the shock as it requires stripping down the air strut to replace.

You don't even need an iid tool as you can air down via the valve block. Will be easier with one though..

Originally Posted by PerthDisco

I'm still confused if the air bag part lasts for ever or the shock is what is being talked about here with different brands mentioned (LR, Dunlop etc) - certainly the Dunlop Volley is a long lived product - is there any choice other than LR on the air bag part? I have seen an American product mentioned.

I'm hoping to see a detailed How To Guide emerge from this one for those in the 'it's a keeper category'. I saw you need to air down via a device before disconnecting.

The air bag part certainly doesn't last forever - the reason I changed my front struts was for an airbag leak. That was around 171,000km mark

Try Karcraft in Silverwater in Sydney for Delphi Air Shocks
A good price I think

There were substantial internal cracks on the folds of my D4's original air-springs at 90K kms. I'm very surprised that others have lasted 200K.

Originally Posted by Graeme

There were substantial internal cracks on the folds of my D4's original air-springs at 90K kms. I'm very surprised that others have lasted 200K.

Still tempted to burn the old ones out this trip and replace when we return. Taking a front and a rear with us just in case....

Only thing stopping me is the thread about over extension, which mine don't seem to be doing(yet).

The air suspension on my 08 L322 is original other than rear shocks, and coming up to 260,000km. However I have new front struts/springs on hand ready.

Originally Posted by Russrobe

Think I'm just going to pay the extra $500 and stick with originals. They've lasted 200 000kms and counting so be worth a bit extra...

I'll bet they didn't. They would have been done by 100k... it's the gradual degradation that fools the senses...

You'll be amazed at the ride once they're replaced