Thread: Air suspension struts - how can they still be good after 250k?

It’s a top priority when I save up but at 260k km on original 15 year old units no leaks and still drives well on all surfaces. I don’t know why either.

Air-springs don't have a length to which they try to return to so won't induce bouncing when shocks are worn-out. Hence unless worn shocks are tested with extra load or adverse road conditions they won't normally exhibit the severe characteristics that steel springs will induce. Due to the road conditions where I drive, my D4's shocks became rather useless by 80K kms but only after 40K for cheaper after-market shocks. I knew that the CVDs on my L322 at 100K kms weren't in great condition for normal unladen driving but on undulating surfaces with the van attached the shocks showed that they were indeed very worn-out, being incapable of preventing both front and rear bounce.

I've been having a similar conversation with my indy.

Having just replaced the front pair (full set of struts - bags with shocks) due to a leak in one of them, I asked about the rear shocks in particular, because any other car I've had with this mileage - 160k - would be on its second set by now.
He assured me that he rarely ever has to replace any, as they seem to go forever. Graeme's explanation goes some way to explaining why, thanks.

I am not sure if I can tell if the rears are worn or not. I do long distances on rough roads with a loaded car only, and so far I can't pick it.

This may well change when I whack a camper on the back in the next year or so, but for now I'm hanging onto my cash.

120 to 160k kms seems normal for these. The airbag do hide or mask a lot of the wear in the shock themselves. Changed mine at around 200k, once out of the car and deflated, the old shocks were a good 50mm shorter than the new, no damping left in them at all.

I did my struts at around 220,000km. I had noticed a subtle twitchiness when changing lanes, but no other major symptoms. The new ones ride like new again, not that the ride with the old struts was bad at all!

Yes they seem to have an amazing life span.

My only fear is the new BWI owned versions will not be as good.

Originally Posted by PerthDisco

My only fear is the new BWI owned versions will not be as good.

AFAIK still made in the UK and are exactly the same as original so shouldn't be any difference.

Originally Posted by PerthDisco

My only fear is the new BWI owned versions will not be as good.

I replaced mine with BWI struts on all 4 corners and reckon after 20,000 k's the ride is worse than my original which done from memory 180k or close enough. I also replace all the arms at the same time so can't blame worn arms for my suspicions about the struts.
I have a spare front and rear strut that a got from a forum member that were fitted with bilstein shocks and am looking at purchasing some new shocks and fitting to the BWI units .
Cheers Bulletman