[StuckAgainSteve]

The P38 suspension has a bad rep, the last truly Rover designed and built Range Rover with no partner company interference. I changed my front springs about 6 months ago and finally got around to doing the rears today.
Like the fronts they were the original out-the-factory Land Rover branded springs with a 99 date stamp - they were by no means in terrible condition either no bad for 13 years and 140,000 miles of service. How many cars could you change both rear springs in 30 mins with a jack, an axle stand, a screwdriver and a wire coat hanger? What crappy British engineering eh?

 

[Datatek]

The P38 suspension has a bad rep, the last truly Rover designed and built Range Rover with no partner company interference. I changed my front springs about 6 months ago and finally got around to doing the rears today.
Like the fronts they were the original out-the-factory Land Rover branded springs with a 99 date stamp - they were by no means in terrible condition either no bad for 13 years and 140,000 miles of service. How many cars could you change both rear springs in 30 mins with a jack, an axle stand, a screwdriver and a wire coat hanger? What crappy British engineering eh?

They look far too good to be original, the date means nothing, it's when they were fitted that matters. The compressor on mine is date stamped 2001 but it was fitted in 2008.

 

[StuckAgainSteve]

To be fair this is the third P38 I've done the bags on (1st one of my own) and the other sets I was replacing were much newer (datestamp-wise) than the car. The new bags I put on all the cars were datestamped no older than 6 months of purchase time. I suspect air springs are quite fast moving items that don't hang around on shelves for years - compressors on the other hand...

 

[ovalandrover]

I replaced my springs about 3 1/2 years ago because they looked perished and just the other day i found one rear leaking so I had to get new ones sent to Sweden and replaced one there but when tested with soapy water was leaking so had to use the oter one I got and i think this one has a slow leak as well as it goes down in 2 hrs.
As i am out of the country for 6 months at least I am having to use it and keep an eye on the pump is not overworking .
Hope it dosent get worse as I am in Russia and heading for Mongolia .

 

[Grit Valve]

Bags and coils are completely secured in totally different ways , how can you compair only by ease of fitnent but for toughness and durability coils win .
Now eat your hat And yes I could change coils in the rear of a defender in that time if I was in a race with air tools no problem

 

[Datatek]

Bags and coils are completely secured in totally different ways , how can you compair only by ease of fitnent but for toughness and durability coils win .
Now eat your hat Nd yes I could change coils in the rear if a defender in that time if I was in a race with air tools no problem

I've seen a few broken coils and a few that have lost tension so they are not totally reliable.

 

[Grit Valve]

I've seen a few broken coils and a few that have lost tension so they are not totally reliable.

Yes I know true BMW z3 rear coils being one if them weak as anything and the new mini too but in Defenders and most cars that are not under extreme use off roading pot holes ect coil out live bags twofold .

 

[Datatek]

Coils on my Fiat X19 were made of liquorice

 

[Grit Valve]

Coils on my Fiat X19 were made of liquorice

Recycled Catherine wheels

 

[StuckAgainSteve]

Bags and coils are completely secured in totally different ways , how can you compair only by ease of fitnent but for toughness and durability coils win .
Now eat your hat And yes I could change coils in the rear of a defender in that time if I was in a race with air tools no problem

For toughness and durability surely solid iron ingots would be the best? Anyhow cars break springs constantly - Defenders are probably better than most because it's an offroad car but they'll still corrode and fail eventually. When a steel spring can self level the car, drop the ride height so my old Mum can get in the bloody thing and give reasonable ride comfort - I'll be sold!

 

[gfromleeds]

for toughness and durability surely solid iron ingots would be the best? Anyhow cars break springs constantly - defenders are probably better than most because it's an offroad car but they'll still corrode and fail eventually. When a steel spring can self level the car, drop the ride height so my old mum can get in the bloody thing and give reasonable ride comfort - i'll be sold! :d

+1

 

[Grit Valve]

For toughness and durability surely solid iron ingots would be the best? Anyhow cars break springs constantly - Defenders are probably better than most because it's an offroad car but they'll still corrode and fail eventually. When a steel spring can self level the car, drop the ride height so my old Mum can get in the bloody thing and give reasonable ride comfort - I'll be sold!

Funny that that's why i got rid off the defender as grandad did struggle to get in air bags wins in that rr espect