Member Since: 01 Jan 2022
Location: North Wales
Posts: 75
Coil conversion
Hi All.
My new to me D3 suspension has collapsed to say the least, already had the compressor replaced. I do way to many miles each year to keep messing about with it. So my mind has been made up as far as replacing the airbags with terraferma +2 coils with the magic box to prevent issues with warning lights.
Has anyone on done this and had any problems after the install. Just so that I know what to expect.
Thank you in advance for all/any help/replies and yes, I am daft.
1st Jan 2022 12:42 am
PROFSR G
Member Since: 06 Mar 2017
Location: Lost
Posts: 4651
Hi there and welcome!
Don't do it, you'll destroy everything that makes this car special in the first place, and why despite it's many failings so many of us love them and stick with them come hell or high water.(They're actually quite good at that stuff too!)
The suspension system is not complicated, just so very often misunderstood which leads to impatience and frustration. It is eminently reliable, and I can say this as someone who repairs these vehicles on a daily basis, (as do many others on here) who also would never advocate dumping the system.
A few questions now will help others to help you in deciding what approach is best for you. Firstly, can you work on the vehicle yourself? If you can that's great, and you will find all the answers and help you need from the members on here. This though is somewhat dependent on you suppling the correct diagnostic information, in order that the issues can be resolved expeditiously.
Secondly, (and assuming your answer to the first question is yes) have you purchased a diagnostic tool specifically for this car? You don't need to have any expertise as it's mostly intuitive, and members on here will guide you until you eventually get your head around it yourself.
If you are going to run and work on one of these cars you will quite simply need a diagnostic tool, but not just any cheap tool. A LR dedicated diagnostic tool is your best friend here, and to that end most of the members on here (private & professional) possess a GAP IID bluetooth. (not cheap, but it is the daddy!) Although small (about the size half a pack of 20 cigarettes) is a very powerful and invasive bit of kit that can live in your glove box and connects to your mobile phone when needed. That's not just for suspension issues though, believe me you will use this tool, and I would suggest suspension will be one of the lesser areas of it's use! I understand there are cheaper tools now available from the Chinese market, which seem to have a positive appraisal, but I have no experience of them personally and I have no intention of finding out either.
So, back to your suspension, what exactly is the issue? Have you had a diagnostic check performed and established any fault codes logged? Lastly, if working on the car yourself is not an option then you will need to find a dedicated LR independent specialist. Do not give this car over to a general "all makes" garage unless you have very deep pockets, bags and bags of patience, and a very long supply of Mansize tissues! (hi girls )
Bear in mind too, the GAP diagnostic tool will likely pay for itself within the first six months of your ownership, and judging by your current post perhaps a lot sooner that that! It is easily transferable to a new owner should you decide to move on, and you will get back at least 75% of what you paid for it.
(I need to get a job with GAP )
So beyond that, welcome to the nut house (AKA Hotel California) yµ (idµ - eAµ) ψ=mψ
1st Jan 2022 3:54 am
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 13635
Plus 1 ^^^^^^ what Prof G has said
OMG , £875.00 for the coil conversion
1st Jan 2022 5:20 am
Mambo
Member Since: 01 Jan 2022
Location: North Wales
Posts: 75
Hi Prof G and Stuart, thanks for the replies.
Yes, I will be doing the work myself, this is my first venture into the D3 world for me, always had D1+2 for me, we have been lucky with our D4, 3 years and going great, but its an ex police car so been maintained well. Mine not so.
Any problem on a D2, engine, injectors, gearbox, different, hubs assembly all standard stuff. 20 years of green oval addiction.
My D3, compressor already replaced, also the steering angle sensor has carked it. So hdc lights on too.
Trucks 16 years old, so in my dull logic, rip out and replace was the idea behind it, don't get me wrong, I do love the air suspension on the wife's D4, such a smooth ride compared to my old D1+2's.
But I was thinking by sacking the system off its one less thing to go wrong, age/wear/damage/previous bodges etc.
Just start afresh
Plus I want to get back into off roading, and experience with D2's the rear airbags caused me no end of issues and late nights, although I understand they are different beasts. My commute to work is 200 miles, 20/25k annually, mostly on A roads, so I don't mind a luxury trade off for suck it up buttercup and deal with rattles. She's just under 190k, so there's rattles.
Also, I found the rear passenger door is inoperable. It keeps getting better and better.
Gonna be a bigger money pit than the wife
Just had a look at those readers they aren't pocket money picks are they. But expensive toys require expensive tools, I did have the landrover/jaguar reader for D2's to D4's but I have a horrible feeling I left it in the last D2 I got rid off, think it's under the passenger seat
Gonna try put some expensive lipstick on it, but doubt it'll be a stunner even after lipstick.
Stuart, wait till you see the price of the Dunlop set 2k..............
Can I add, I like the look of a vulgar lifted truck, sorry.
Last edited by Mambo on 1st Jan 2022 1:39 pm. Edited 1 time in total
1st Jan 2022 1:33 pm
Mambo
Member Since: 01 Jan 2022
Location: North Wales
Posts: 75
Also, where are some key areas to visually look for easy possible causes of the collapsed bags.
Thank you all.
1st Jan 2022 1:37 pm
Motolab
Member Since: 18 Oct 2019
Location: Sleen
Posts: 1815
Hi,
Forget the D2 airspring system, not comparable to the D3 system.. sure not in quality…
can you give more information, regarding the problem? What exactly happens (or doesn’t) when, where? how long does it take, etc. Etc.
You wrote,have “had” replaced the compressor… so a workshop did the work?
What brand compressor? Certain IMI brands/aftermarket, are know to not last very long…
Airspring system is rather simple regarding mechanical parts…
4 airbags, air tubes, 2 valves (1 x front and 1x rear) a air tank and the compressor dryer.
Airbags CAN leak but not very common…same with the lines, though valve block’s do, and can be very simple refurbished with a O-ring kit from ebay or like wise (although the valveseats are not included commonly and i would like to replace them too if you are there) also the airtanks can be rusty/leaky but also quite simple to replace..
Lifting it is easy with the airsprings fully functional, longer rods is the cheap option, but there are 2 very good electronic systems too! Some with around 5 or even more hight options, with a push of a button.. and even with a leveling option, for camping with a roof tent…
So good highway behaviour and lower fuel consumption, and bottom clearance off-road when needed..Best regards
Harold
Always looking for Pre '55's & Pre war British Motorcycles! knowing or having one for sale? PM please. I visit the UK 6 times a year
Ps. I edit my texts quite often, english is not my native language, so I will edit My “typo’s” etc.
1st Jan 2022 3:39 pm
Mambo
Member Since: 01 Jan 2022
Location: North Wales
Posts: 75
Hi Motolab,
I don't know what compressor it is. I tried to get some pictures but other cars kept whizzing past, so abandoned it before I got squashed.
It does say inactive when driving.
Also the hdc is faulty but I have to trigger this to set the code/lights
1st Jan 2022 4:57 pm
PROFSR G
Member Since: 06 Mar 2017
Location: Lost
Posts: 4651
What you have there is an AMK "type" compressor. I can't be certain from those pics but it looks like it might be a cheap copy. If it is bin it and get a genuine AMK.
In any case, you will need the codes read if any advice is going to be meaningful and relevant. Otherwise you're going to be on a wild goose chase with little or no progress at the end of it.
If you have a second D3 maybe its time to invest in a diagnostic tool? Used GAP IID bt from members on here around £330, or new for around £400.yµ (idµ - eAµ) ψ=mψ
1st Jan 2022 5:18 pm
Mambo
Member Since: 01 Jan 2022
Location: North Wales
Posts: 75
Hi Prof,
I've been looking at readers today, but I want one to cover the D4 as well, so the one you mentioned looks about the one I'll head for.
I learnt a long time ago crystal ball diagnostics don't work.
Until I get one, hopefully next week (payday v's Christmas), was hoping for atleast a month or 2 before problems as this was bought to replace a........... forgive me here, a L200 pickup as the bottom ends collapsed on that, not my finest month December.
Yes, a mitsubishi. Bought to move muck only. And do I regret venturing away from a disco and trailer.
Ideally I want a reader that does all ovals and jags due to a D4, D3 and my daughter wanting a F1 and I fancying a jaguar xf for motorway stuff (spare engine for me bus with tax)
1st Jan 2022 5:57 pm
nigethecat
Member Since: 11 Sep 2016
Location: Marnoch
Posts: 4145
You can easily add a second VIN to an IID and then you'll have full functionality for both cars ! Bit of a bargain really I want to see the sweets before I get into your windowless van... I'm not stupid!
Corris Grey D4 Commercial SE 2016
Zermatt Sliver 2007 D3 SE manual (gone)
Indus Silver D4 HSE 2015 (gone)
Bonatti Grey D3 HSE 2006 (gone)
White D3 S (LHD) 2007 (gone)
Firenze Red D4 HSE 2014 (gone)
Black RRS 3.6TDV8 2008 (gone)
Rusty Green Defender 110 1997 (gone)
Black FL2 HSE 2013 (gone)
1st Jan 2022 6:03 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10363
maybe a autel ap200 white @£45 will get you by for a while.
You would have to pay extra (when you want) for a licence for another brand e.g jaguar
1st Jan 2022 6:19 pm
KevinD3
Member Since: 05 Aug 2020
Location: Sutton Coldfield
Posts: 1207
Plus one for Pete K’s recommendation, grab yourself an Autel as it’ll read all Landrover, not vin locked. It’s a pity, I was up in North Wales last week chilling in mine, I could have stopped over and read your codes for you.2008 HSE Stornoway Grey
My Wife thinks the D3 is a hobby, The D3 thinks the wife is 💕
1st Jan 2022 6:27 pm
Motolab
Member Since: 18 Oct 2019
Location: Sleen
Posts: 1815
Ditch the cheapy compressor indeed…
IID does EVERYTHING your LR specific, incl ECU’s flashing (there are a lot of them in the D3 and D4) if needed… update’s, adjustments (incl airsprings/heights ) etc. Etc. “Universal” ones, ok… but i like to can do everything if needed…
As the Prof said, you will be get your money back in the end…
On one of your images, i looks like the front end is dropped and the rear quite normal? Could be frond valve block…. If so… possibly a cheap fix..Best regards
Harold
Always looking for Pre '55's & Pre war British Motorcycles! knowing or having one for sale? PM please. I visit the UK 6 times a year
Ps. I edit my texts quite often, english is not my native language, so I will edit My “typo’s” etc.
1st Jan 2022 6:48 pm
Mambo
Member Since: 01 Jan 2022
Location: North Wales
Posts: 75
Thank you every one for your answers.
One thing I forgot too mention, occasionally it dumps air, like truck air brakes being applied. The D4 has never done this in the 3 years we've had it.
Noise sounds like it's coming from the rear somewhere. I've also realised some thieving little troglodyte has stolen my heavy duty ramps from behind my hedge
What a start to 2022
Knackered suspension.
Knackered HDC,
Rear passenger door inoperable,
Left my code reader in the truck I scrapped (which covered all JLR upto lr4)
And now my ramps are gone and my fat gut ain't going under the Blue Heap.
I love landrovers, I love landrovers, I love landrovers, I love landrovers, I love landrovers, just can't think why
Things can only get better.
Suppose I best go buy some lipstick for me blue pig and make it look the same albeit with lipstick 💄
And this was as said to replace a knackered truck
1st Jan 2022 7:14 pm
PROFSR G
Member Since: 06 Mar 2017
Location: Lost
Posts: 4651
When the reservoir tank has been filled the compressor will shut off. At this point the exh valve will open to release any residual pressure remaining between the compressor and the reservoir. Otherwise it would cause harder starting for the compressor at the beginning of the next cycle.
Your D4 has exactly the same AMK compressor which generally do have a quieter exh valve compared to say the earlier Hitachi ones, or perhaps even that of a cheap AMK copy from our friends in the east. yµ (idµ - eAµ) ψ=mψ
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and late nights, although I understand they are different beasts. My commute to work is 200 miles, 20/25k annually, mostly on A roads, so I don't mind a luxury trade off for suck it up buttercup and deal with rattles. She's just under 190k, so there's rattles.
