Hello, i have trouble with the rear suspension on my Discovery. She is a Td5 with 88,000 miles on the clock and was registered in the year 2000. The suspension goes down, evenly on both sides, just as and when it feels like it and when it goes down, it goes right down so as the tow bar is just an inch from the ground. It does this if the engine is running or switched off. If i start her up and with the doors closed, her rear comes up again within a minite or so. I have had it into the local Land Rover main dealer garage a couple of times because they said it was the air bags that were leaking, so they put her up on ramps, squirted soapy water everywhere and couldn't find an air leak.
If there was a slow air leak surely the air would escape over a period of time, however i was recently poorly (heartattack) and couldn't drive for a month and she sat in the drive way, without moving or being started or any attention in any way and her rear stayed up perfectly alright. If i put some weight in the boot or on the back seats her rear drops all the way down instantly.
Everyone seems to think that it is an air bag (because of her age and mileage) that is leaking, but could it be a sensor or a relay or solenoid or something that is at fault instead?
I fitted a toe bar when i bought her 3 years ago, but before i owned her she was owned by a guy that lived in Mayfair in London and she wasn't used for any heavy work. I don't tow very much but i do tend to carry some heavy loads from time to time.
Anyone out there got a similar problem or got any ideas as to what is bothering her? I just want her to be happy again.
My phone number is 07770 958502 and i would be VERY grateful for any help.

hi dino,first start her up from cold,when the suspension is at normal ride hight,car running go to the n/s passenger door underneath the body on the chassis leg black plastic box,take out the 2 flat head screw fastners and remove the cover,check that the pressure blow of is clear,while its running you should get a pulse of air escaping every so often and the compressor will kick in.if you have water coming from the blow off thats your problem.the vent for the compressor is located be hind the n/s rear upper light cluster,remove the 4 screws holding thelamp unit to the body,take it out,look down inside and youll see a round plastic and fom filter,thats the most likly entry point of the water.if theres water in the compressor its a new one im afraid to sort it out.

The fault being the same on both sides, I'd suspect the valve block/ exhaust valve/compressor. located where freelander22 said.

However, given the age of the car you should consider replacing the air bags anyway if they havent been changed.

There is plenty of info here on Air Bags it been covered many times, do a search and have a read through

hi dino got the same problem with my disco ended up been compresser.so for the cheaper option going to fit springs

Si, if yours is a seven seater... you may run into insurance problems if you fit springs. There is some sort of directive about seven seaters and the air suspension. You may want to rip out the seats though?

be better to fit two extra seats to a 5 seater then?

Hi i have a 2000 td5 with self leveling suspension i tow a caravan and bought the remote key fob to higher and lower vechile, but cant get it to work does anyone know what im doing wrong, or what i need to do to work it.

nutty147 said:

Hi i have a 2000 td5 with self leveling suspension i tow a caravan and bought the remote key fob to higher and lower vechile, but cant get it to work does anyone know what im doing wrong, or what i need to do to work it.

Click to expand...

U have to be certain that all the doors are closed and ignition is in position II.......and watch out for these instructions to use the remote

1.Pressing the lower button will signal the SLABS ECU, via the RF receiver and the BCU, to energise the exhaust valveand air control valves. The SLS will lower up to 60 mm (2.36 in) below normal ride height if the button is held. If the button is released the SLS will stop at that point.

2.Pressing the raise button will signal the SLABS ECU, via the RF receiver and the BCU, to start the compressor and energise the exhaust valve and air control valves. The SLS will raise to normal ride height if the button is held. If the button is released the SLS will stop at that point.

When raising or lowering the SLS using the remote handset, the SLS warning lamp will flash and the audible warning will sound when the system is operating. If this is not happening means that the remote does not comunicate with the BCU

I almost forgot....the engine doesnt have to run while u're doing this and make certain that the remote controll's battery is in good shape

nutty147 said:

Hi i have a 2000 td5 with self leveling suspension i tow a caravan and bought the remote key fob to higher and lower vechile, but cant get it to work does anyone know what im doing wrong, or what i need to do to work it.

Click to expand...

Where did you buy it? Has it been "paired" with your car?

had a problem back end going changed both airbags & also noticed both ride height sensors were shot changed them also. left it standing for 2 days down again on the nearside.
finally sussed it took the cover off the compressor sprayed with soapy water & noticed bubbles comeing out from under a electrical plug wich is the compressor blow off valve stuck slightly open so i drowned it in wd40 job sorted dosent drop at all now.
hope this helps

Had simmalar problem with mine it used to drop for no reason,looked at pump ride height sensors done the soapy water couldnt find a fault anywhere. Brought new air bags from paddocks easy to fit no more problems. mines a 2000 td5 ps if yours goes that low check bump stops mine had dissapeared