Hi all, new to all this so please be kind! Took my Discovery 2 TD5 in for new rear brakes today, to be told the airbag suspension at the back needs done, trailer arms need done, along with handbrake cable & shoes and a wheel bearing. Oh the joys of a Land Rover! Is it better to convert rear from airbag to coil?
Can't do it myself, they said airbags needed replaced, and the trailer arms. Does look a bit lower at the back.
Shimsteriom
Master Procrastinator
Nope...been there, done that, changed it back to air...
Nope...been there, done that, changed it back to air...
Ok, ta. Heard it was a good idea but maybe not then
What did you like better about air?
Shimsteriom
Master Procrastinator
The car just feels like it should, much more comfortable. I suppose it's personal thing, but I think air is better, but there are those on here that would say that coils are just as good without the headaches that air can sometimes provide.
I changed mine to coil at a time when funds were a bit tight and I just wanted the car to work, but changing it back to air was one of the best things I've done to my D2.
I changed mine to coil at a time when funds were a bit tight and I just wanted the car to work, but changing it back to air was one of the best things I've done to my D2.
Shimsteriom
Master Procrastinator
@GN72 create a thread in the Disco section and you'll get more feedback and opinions
https://www.landyzone.co.uk/forum/land-rover-discovery.8/
https://www.landyzone.co.uk/forum/land-rover-discovery.8/
neilly
Well-Known Member
If you cannot do the work yourself , then D2 ownership could get expensive.
I would love to know why they said they needed replacing? are they leaking? Does it drop when left alone?
Trailer arms, did they say the bushes needed replacing?
What is the measurement from the ctr of the wheel to the underneath of the wheel arch?
Cheers
Thank you@GN72 create a thread in the Disco section and you'll get more feedback and opinions
https://www.landyzone.co.uk/forum/land-rover-discovery.8/
Si Click
Well-Known Member
It depends mainly on what you want the D2 to do, and partly on what level of spannering skills you have and how big your wallet is.
If you are towing or routinely carrying big loads then stick with the air; the self leveling ability will be really useful. If you are not planning on modifying the height or wheel size and want to Green Lane then stick with the air; the ability to easily raise the rear will be invaluable. If you are sticking to the beaten path in the UK or near Europe and mainly driving on roads then stick with air; it will be much more comfortable than cheap springs.
OTOH if you intend using your D2 for overland travel and may find yourself a long way from spares/mechanical support then lose the air; you can carry spare bags, but a failed compressor will likely strand you. Similarly, a good way to avoid mechanical trouble for overland travel or just in general, is to reduce complexity and springs are much less likely to go wrong than air. The same logic applies to ACE, anti-roll bars rarely fail.
A good spring and shock conbination is just as comfortable IMHO as air. I have Terrafirma springs and shocks at the moment front and back which are comfy on road, but I am not convinced they are strong enough for long range travel, so I have plans to change to Old Man Emu springs and either OME, Bilstein or Koni shocks.
neilly
Well-Known Member
Soooo, rear brakes done, wheel bearing getting done Monday, & quoted for the trailer arm bushes. Anyone got a rough cost for changing suspension from air bag if we decide to go to coils? Only got a light caravan for towing, and don't really see me doing "proper off road" mainly just for driving in snow etc in good old sunny Scotland so thinking coils is the way to go.
neilly
Well-Known Member
You can buy kits like this.
https://www.jgs4x4.co.uk/land-rover-discovery-2-air-to-coil-spring-conversion-kit-da5136/
A couple of hours work and a diagnostics plug in to switch air off.
Cheers
Thanks @neilly - I saw these earlier, but thought they would be a lot more expensive and I was looking at the wrong thing. Is that really it?
neilly
Well-Known Member
Basically, yes, they should replace the air bags. But as new air bags are only £100 for a pair, I kept mine.
If you do not have the diagnostics done then expect to have a flat battery..LOL,so it is worth doing properly.
Wheel bearings are approx £60 from the bay of e,the LR ones a damn expensive. I have done 25K miles on one of the ebay ones without an issue , but they require some HD tools to do, I would also recommend fitting new correct part number bolts on what you remove.
If I was you , I would learn to handle a set of spanners and sockets if you can, will make the bills much less painful.
Cheers
neilly
Well-Known Member
Thanks again - and yes, I think I need to start learning
Have a shufti at this site. This guy made a whole load of really good write ups about the D2, spend a while going thru each section it will save you money . Also on You tube have a shufti at LRTV some really useful vids.
http://www.discovery2.co.uk/
Cheers
Welcome to the forum
Thank you!
Thanks again - and yes, I think I need to start learning
