Thread: D3 Air Bags.

Good question!

Firstly, the way they're designed, they're very well protected like sneigy says. Unless there was an inherent fault in one of the bags, you are extremely unlikely to have a failure of a D3 airbag.

Secondly, If it did happen, it doesn't stop the car. It would just bounce a bit and things would hit underneath.

I had complete compressor failure over two years ago when my car was quite young (I had the first build compressor which had a few issues). I was at extended height on a beach when it failed and dropped to access height. I drove off the beach. across a coffee rock outcrop, along a bumpy limestone track and home again. I then drove the 400km to Kal to get it fixed. Apart from a few scratched and gouges underneath (and a few seasick occupants), I had no problems driving the car.

I daresay it would be the same with a holed bag. So yes, IMO you could limp home.

Jamo
Thanks for saying it was a good question .
Since I don't know the D3s too well yet , I thought it might have sounded a bit stupid .
To extend the question a bit , and rely on your first hand knowledge -
You're on the highway miles from anywhere , but towing a caravan/boat or whatever ,( as I'm sure a lot of D3 owners would ) .
A bag does go .
Could you tow the van ( slowly ) a fair distance to a town/caravan park etc or would having all this extra load on the rear axle do some serious , expensive damage , and so force you to leave the caravan at the side of the road .
I know this might be unlikely , as these bags are so far proving reliable .
However , I'm thinking of retiring this year , and we'll probably start doing the " grey nomad " thing next year . So this is relevant to me ( and maybe a few others ).

Thanks John

Don't woory about the air bags in the D3. Theese have no known problems as such. They are awealk point on some earlier models but so far not on the D3.
Trucks have airbags do a lot more ks in harsher conditions so having air bags is not an issue in itself.
The weak point in the D3 suspension has bbeen compressors and sensors. These were dealt with in the ehnsment program early on and new builds have shown no problems.
The likelihood of failure of an airbag is almost non existant for the D3 ( three years plus now) don't base your wories on previous models.
The ease and joy of towing and touring with a D3 will more than make up for your fears.

If the van nose weight is half way correct there shouldn't be a massive load on the bump stops. If you feel it crashing about just drive slower and leave the van at the first safe spot.

What will you do if a coil snaps on a regular 4wd? Doubt many people would carry a spare. Can they be driven safely on the stops?

Steve