UPDATE: Bilstien has doubled the price of their airsprings!

 

How can I tell if my air springs are leaking? Why is my air suspension on bump stops?  These are common question on many Range Rover forums.   To make this post get to the point the most common failure for RR air suspension will be the front airsprings. The struts are not controlled by the air suspension, but dampen the air bags which replace regular springs.  Adaptive Dynamic struts are also not controlled by air but by ferromagnetic fluid and a computer which controls the viscosity of the fluid via magnetic field.

REPLACE BOTH OF YOUR FRONT AIRSPRINGS

If you suddenly find your truck on bump stops it, is almost assuredly one of the two front airsprings went.  “but the whole car is on bump stops”  The computer will lower all four corners to bump stops once it has found an airspring leaking, although sometimes just the front or rear will drop.

DON’T CONTINUE TO USE YOUR AIR SUSPENSION UNTIL THE SPRINGS ARE FIXED

There is a whole bunch of wallet hurt if you try to raise an airsuspension that is leaking because the air compressor wasn’t built for that and it might throw a hard code that only special LR focused computers can clear — autozone won’t help you here… In short if you try to raise your truck and hear some clanking in the back it is the air compressor killing itself.

WHERE DO I GET THE PARTS, CHEAPLY

There used to be few options for air springs.  One was Arnott Industries which was very helpful for P38 and classic owners, however their L322 parts seem to focus on the airspring and they often reuse struts.  Then was OEM which could be had for a small house if bought at the dealership, or a pair of used motorcycles if bought online from a retailer such as island4x4.  Delphi units last longer  than the Dunlops.

Now there is an awesome option for owners.  Bilstein offers complete air spring and struts with their B4 Series of OEM Air Springs.  These can often be found at a discount and less than Arnott charges for just the bag.  A pair of new Bilstein front Air Springs 2003-06 HSE air springs or 2006 SC-2013 Air Springs can be found for less than $600 shipped.  A pair of adaptive dynamic air springs used on the 10-12 Superchargers can be found for less than $1000.

DOES MY RANGE ROVER HAVE ADAPTIVE DYNAMICS AIR SPRINGS and STRUTS

A quick way to check is to open your hood and look for wires running to the top of the Struts.  If there are wires, you have Adaptive Dynamics which was offered from 2010 on.

CAN YOU CHANGE YOUR OWN AIR SPRINGS.

YES.  Many people have reported success with DIY air spring changes.  Check out youtube for videos.  Basically there will be several heavy duty bolts to unscrew.  Be sure to decompress the air suspension.  No need for spring clamps.

BILSTEIN B4 SERIES AIR SPRING RANGE ROVER PART NUMBERS

Provided for reference but please double check before ordering:

  • 03-05 L322
    • Front Right: 45-240720
    • Front Left: 45-240713
    • Rear: 44-124748
  • 06-09 SC, 07-12 HSE L322, 06 HSE??
    • Front Right: 45-241734
    • Front Left: 45-241727
      • FRONTS ONLY APPLICABLE TO L405 2013 HSE/BASE
    • Rears: 44-191177
      • 03-2007 HSE
  • 2010-2012 Super Charged – ADAPTIVE DYNAMICS
    • Front Right: 45-240706
    • Front Left: 45-240690
    • Rear Right: 44-139889
    • Rear Left: 44-13987

KEY LINKS:

WHAT ABOUT THE SENSORS, AIR LINES AND VALVE BLOCK?

When air springs act up the computer sensors don’t register right.  It may seem like a sensor failure but these sensors very infrequently wear out or brake.  If you were recently offroading a quick peek under the corners can verify if the sensors look properly connected.  The valve block can be checked by preparing a bubbly substance mixture (e.g. water and soap) and can be sprayed or applied to the connectors to see if any bubbles arise.  This method also works for the air lines which seldom burst but can on occasion.

 

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