Thread: D4 Suspension Airbags life?

Question, can the shock absorbers be replaced whilst keeping the same airbag, or is it wiser to replace the complete assembly? Coming up to 200,000km so need to make a plan. I would be changing out all four.

Originally Posted by Eric SDV6SE

Question, can the shock absorbers be replaced whilst keeping the same airbag, or is it wiser to replace the complete assembly? Coming up to 200,000km so need to make a plan. I would be changing out all four.

Yes, it’s a separate part you can buy or the complete strut assembly. People have tried aftermarket shocks with no success.

As previously said replacing the entire unit seems wise.

Originally Posted by PerthDisco

As previously said replacing the entire unit seems wise.

I think my shocks have had their best days. Approaching 170K's but have travelled + towing, over some rough tracks each year.

Haven't spoken to local mechanic yet, but from others who already know, what is the approx cost per set (entire unit)?

Also, any tips on a simple test to see how the shocks are. I suppose Pedders might be able to evaluate performance.

Originally Posted by Ozzy119

Haven't spoken to local mechanic yet, but from others who already know, what is the approx cost per set (entire unit)?

Front Air Shock Absorbers

Exploded drawing

Plus shipping & gst

Originally Posted by Ozzy119

I think my shocks have had their best days.

I'm feeling the same at 107k travelled but that has included some tough conditions for shocks, not just highway miles.
Feels somewhat "wallowy" in corners and on a recent trip where some of the country roads were quite lumpy.
Obviously don't want to replace too early but also don't want to let it go beyond what is sensible.
I wonder if others have replaced in the 120-150k time frame?

Scott

189,000 km and getting a bit clunky, still on original shocks. LCAs done at 120,000.

Years ago when I worked in the automotive parts and accessories industries (Bilstein, Koni and Tokico shockers were part of our inventory) i was told that the expected service life of original shockers on most vehicles was 80,000 kms. Unfortunately I have never been able to verify the truth of this assertion except from my own “seat of the pants” experience, although I have seen plenty of shock dyno graphs from used shockers which they said proved poor performance at that kind of mileage.

I bought my D4 with 65,000kms on the clock and driving it home from Brisbane to Melbourne I thought it felt very wallowy, front to rear, compared to the car I owned before I bought it, a Ford Ranger Wildtrak on which I had fitted Koni Raid shockers, which themselves had done about 50,000 fairly strenuous kms. I have put it down to the complete difference in the setup of the Disco, however I still wonder whether the rear shockers particularly, on the Disco, are not up to the task. Maybe because I have always spent money on good suspension components in most of my cars I expect a lot. I’m still thinking about it...

I believe the only true way to test whether a shocker is performing as it is intended is to put it on a shock dyno.

Poor on road performance has has a habit of creeping up on us unnoticed. I reckon if anyone is getting 150,000 - 180,000kms out of their shockers are doing very well, especially if having driven on gravel roads and towing.

David

I changed all four airbag assemblies at about 180,000 and the difference was amazing. I used the OEM and not the LR branded, I believe they are Delphi. I am also on my second set of LCA bushes which are Lemforder Total mileage is almost 200,000KM