The Mad Hat Man

The Mad Hat Man

Well-Known Member
LZIR Despatch Agent
One of the guys at work has just bought a Rangie - P38, think - it is sitting on its bump stops, so he has taken it to a local indy and he sent me this afterwards.....

The results are that the front air bags are perished and leaking, that's why the compressor is working overtime.

Estimate for parts and labour (including the compressor if needed) came to £682, which I thought was quite reasonable. They estimate an hour and a half labour, so should be finished in one day. They even pumped the suspension up for me so I would have a better ride going back home, and they didn't charge me for the diagnostic test (£35) either.

It doesnt seem too bad a price to me, if that includes a new compressor. Apparently this is for Dunlop bags - Are they Ok? I have a feeling they are OEM???? or would he be better insisting on Arnott bags?
I assume replacing all four would be a worthwhile investment?
 
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Airbags all four...(OEM Dunlop)......250
Compressor Overall.....................100
Cable+Disc from Datatek...............20???

370 approx parts

312 for 1.5 hours labour....Bargain.......:eek:
 
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that doesnt help - i know the arnott bags are about £300
i have the notebook cable and software.

It's really a Q of how much without the compressor and whether that price is for a new compressor or an overhaul kit???

Repair kit

How to guide

Brush box repair

Compressor
 
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I can't fault the Dunlop bags personally - I'd done 120,000 miles on the original set, so didn't see any reason to change from OEM when I replaced them. If I have to change them again in another 100,000 miles or so, I'll be perfectly happy to do so! :)

As expected with OEM, I didn't notice any difference in handling or comfort after changing them - everything feels just the same as it always has been, with the exception that it doesn't gradually creep down on to the bump stops if I haven't driven it for a couple of weeks.

Just got back from a month away, and the suspension hadn't budged from standard ride height while it was parked up in the garage.
 
The Mad Hat Man said:
that doesnt help - i know the arnott bags are about £300

i have the notebook cable and software.
Click to expand...


Dunlop OEM Airbags from Island 4x4, 240 quid + 10 quid for the retaining clips.

This normally is all that is wrong as the rubber is perished and leaking air.

PM Datatek he has a "How to check and repair" instructions.

If needed, rebuild the compressor with a piston and cylinder liner, about 100 quid.

Airbags take about 3 hours the first time you do it.

If you have the software and cable, read any fault codes.

The air suspension system is fairly simple and easy to repair, you just have to be methodical in your approach.
 
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New compressor £168 from Island 4 x 4 airbags 4 off £260, fitting as little as 15 miniutes a corner if the rears are not stuck plus 15 minutes to fit a new compressor 15 minutes for tea total 1.5 hours labour. So parts max at £450 with clips for all 4 airbags leave 1.5 hours labour at £200, rip off, even more of a rip off if they are only doing 2 airbags and maybe not replacing the compressor.
 
I agree with Datatek apart from the tea of course as he has obviously forgotten how to make it properly been driving on the wrong side of the road too long and I dont mean overtaking:lol:
 
I would expect them all to be equally worn... When changing the right hand rear be careful of the break pipe that runs near its top mounts. It will probably be as rotten as a pear . Becoming the next little job.
 
Was out last night so missed this one. If they are changing just the front bags and compressor it is a bit steep. Two new bags about £120.00, new compressor £168.00 or so. Airbags about half an hour a side, and compressor can be changed in less than quarter of an hour. If they are changing all the bags add another £120.00 and maybe another hours labour. Think their estimate of an hour and a half labour is a little on the optomistic side, unless everything falls off and falls back on. A fraze over two hours would be more realistic in my view. But i think all the previous answers get the point over pretty much.
 
The Mad Hat Man said:
would you, like me, recommend changing all 4 bags - not just the front ones?
Click to expand...

Yes, would definitely recommend changing all 4 together.

I'd go further and suggest that for an extra £100 or so, it's probably worth changing all 4 shocks at the same time, but I can't back that up with any technical reasoning other than it seems like it makes sense to me to do them together.

Someone who actually has some knowledge about suspension and shock absorbers may have a more informed opinion.
 
Endeleus said:
Yes, would definitely recommend changing all 4 together.

I'd go further and suggest that for an extra £100 or so, it's probably worth changing all 4 shocks at the same time, but I can't back that up with any technical reasoning other than it seems like it makes sense to me to do them together.

Someone who actually has some knowledge about suspension and shock absorbers may have a more informed opinion.
Click to expand...

I changed my airbags at 80 something thousand, now at 107K miles still on the original shocks and still good.
 
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