pickels

pickels

Member
Hi i don't want to start an argument but this subject usually has this effect
just got a discovery td5 it has a slight leak in the air suspension system and sometimes drops one side.
now my old range rover p38 had the coil conversion done ,( some say good some say bad )

The td5 came with the coil kit , but not sure if to just fix the leak
what are the pros and cons, can it affect the 7 seater insurance ?
suggestions please
 
Disco TD5 can have either coil springs or air rear suspension fitted. If you decide to fit the coils make sure they are the heavy duty type needed for the seven seat version. Advantage of air rear suspension is that when car is loaded ride height remains constant. Air automatically adjusts for load. With coils it will sit down. Air is preferable in my view but it is your call.
 
In addition to what @wammers has already said, another advantage of the air system, especially if you do any green-laning is the ability to increase the ride height with just the flick of a switch when it might be needed. An additional remote sender or a modification using a switch can be obtained to allow further control over the air system to enable it to be lowered for easier hitching of a trailer or loading an awkward or heavy package. With steel springs, all of this flexibility would be lost.
Regarding the insurance issues, since the 7 seat Disco was built with air suspension to meet certain EU rules, I believe, you'd have to check with your own insurer to find out their attitudes towards any changes.
 
Regarding your own vehicle dropping on one side, my advice would be change the air bags. The system is easy to understand. The thing to remember is that even when you've convinced yourself that it's not the airbags, it's the airbags. Don't try to over-analyse the problem, it'll only lead you up the garden path.
Always change them in pairs and once they've started leaking, change them as soon as possible otherwise it could cause further problems with the compressor further down the line.
 
If it was factory fitted with coils then it's complicated cos beside the whole air suspension "hardware" you need to fit dedicated electric harness too and some wiring mods, if it was previously on air it's not complicated and the cost depends on what SLS components were left on the vehicle.
 
It's 7 seater so probably came with air.
I've read that the compressor is bolted to the chassis somewhere under the front passenger seat but what other signs should I look for that it was present in the past?
 
Remove the rear LH tail light and take a look .... i doubt that anybody would take the time to remove the SLS filter from there if you see what i mean(it's a plastic cylinder attached to a pipe)
 
pickels said:
Hi i don't want to start an argument but this subject usually has this effect
just got a discovery td5 it has a slight leak in the air suspension system and sometimes drops one side.
now my old range rover p38 had the coil conversion done ,( some say good some say bad )

The td5 came with the coil kit , but not sure if to just fix the leak
what are the pros and cons, can it affect the 7 seater insurance ?
suggestions please
Click to expand...

If it drops on one side then it's after the compressor, so air valve for that side or associated pipework, however I reckon it will be a pin hole in the 'wear wrinkles' of the airbag, the leaks sometimes self seal when the bag sits in a certain position hence the occasional occurrence.

Personally I would just re-bag or fix pipe issues if that's the issue. I am a bit of a believer in fixing things as the design intended it to be.
 
discomania said:
If it drops on one side then it's after the compressor, so air valve for that side or associated pipework, however I reckon it will be a pin hole in the 'wear wrinkles' of the airbag, the leaks sometimes self seal when the bag sits in a certain position hence the occasional occurrence.

Personally I would just re-bag or fix pipe issues if that's the issue. I am a bit of a believer in fixing things as the design intended it to be.
Click to expand...
+1 As @discomania has said, re-bag, but do both at the same time.
 
discomania said:
If it drops on one side then it's after the compressor, so air valve for that side or associated pipework, however I reckon it will be a pin hole in the 'wear wrinkles' of the airbag, the leaks sometimes self seal when the bag sits in a certain position hence the occasional occurrence.

Personally I would just re-bag or fix pipe issues if that's the issue. I am a bit of a believer in fixing things as the design intended it to be.
Click to expand...
This seems to be the issue, five days and she has not dropped waiting to trace the leak . Will get the airbags anyway going to need them at some point
 
pickels said:
This seems to be the issue, five days and she has not dropped waiting to trace the leak . Will get the airbags anyway going to need them at some point
Click to expand...

If you want to try and get it to leak again then raise the suspension up, note it will not do this with doors open, then get round with soapy water and slosh it around the airbag of the side that drops - take care as obviously with the fault it could come down and hurt you so keep clear. With any luck you will be able to detect an air leak with bubbles building up around the leak.
 
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