Member Since: 02 May 2020
Location: England
Posts: 2
Help! Suspension Problem
Hi there,
I'm new here and hoping someone might be able to assist me with my suspension issue please?
I have an 05 D3 which has recently developed a suspension issue. If the vehicle is parked the suspension will drop on one side only, front and back (drivers side). I have isolated the self levelling suspension and monitored the problem, it still drops on the drivers side. Initially I thought it was a valve block but seeing as its both the front and the back of the vehicle that are dropping I now don't think that's the issue.
Can anyone give me any pointers as to what this might be?
Thank you,
Nathan
2nd May 2020 6:50 pm
Fireburst
Member Since: 02 Nov 2017
Location: Hertfordshire
Posts: 195
Hi
I had a very similar issue with my D4 only noticeable through not being used during the lockdown. After it had been standing for a few days the drivers side rear would drop down to the bump stop, I also thought it was the front and rear but it was just the rear which was affecting the front as well.
I decided to remove the rear valve block and strip and clean it, there was quite a bit of white powder in it from the compressor drier granules (I stripped and replaced the drier granules a few weeks back). Since refitting the valve block the car has been parked for nearly a week in normal height and the suspension has remained perfectly level. Zero cost job so worth a try. You tube has plenty of info.
I have done a lot of difficult jobs on this car including front and rear belts but removing and replacing the rear valve block rates amongst the more difficult jobs simply because of access, removing it was not too difficult but replacing it was a nightmare!! (Probably because I have hands like shovels!)
Good luck
Jim
3rd May 2020 10:11 am
Nathan Elliott
Member Since: 02 May 2020
Location: England
Posts: 2
Thank you Jim, I'll give it a go and see where I get to. Like you say its a zero cost job!
Cheers,
Nathan
3rd May 2020 5:12 pm
Fireburst
Member Since: 02 Nov 2017
Location: Hertfordshire
Posts: 195
Hi Nathan
I hope it works for you. Let us know how you get on
Jim
3rd May 2020 5:15 pm
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 14177
Hi
Hope this may be of help and u didn’t mind if I may adding this
also found the voss connectors difficult , particularly on that rear valve block
I’ve since replaced all my voss connectors with brass pushfits , throughout the entire suspension , may I add plse , have to ensure the plastic pipe ends haven’t got any nicks of gouges on them
Pic of the front valve block and struts with the pushfits , made life so much easier
Plus was shocked at the price of the voss connectors being around £15 , pushfits approx £4.00:
Plus 1 and Hope it’s an easy fix
Ps, Apologises can’t remember what other forum members have also fitted these pushfits
Push fit left , voss on the right
Click image to enlarge
Pushfit in front strut
Click image to enlarge
Pushfit in front valve block
Click image to enlarge
3rd May 2020 7:17 pm
greg00
Member Since: 08 Dec 2017
Location: Zurich
Posts: 162
@gstuart: Do you drive your 15y old D3 or just use it as a mechanical playground?
She is ridiculously rust free and clean underneath
NJSSAm I Gammon or Woke ? - I neither know nor care.
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9th May 2020 8:54 am
pwheeldon
Member Since: 14 Jan 2020
Location: West Yorks
Posts: 1513
Gary, where do you get the push fit connectors from? I have this issue and am thinking it may be worth ordering some connectors before I start. CheersDiscovery 4 GS 2009 Auto Stornoway Grey
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13th May 2020 10:47 pm
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 14177
greg00 wrote:
@gstuart: Do you drive your 15y old D3 or just use it as a mechanical playground?
She is ridiculously rust free and clean underneath
Hi
Apologises not seeing ur message earlier , spent time cleaning all the chassis off, inside and outsid, the sprayed with Dinitrol, indeed drive it
13th May 2020 11:43 pm
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 14177
pwheeldon wrote:
Gary, where do you get the push fit connectors from? I have this issue and am thinking it may be worth ordering some connectors before I start. Cheers
Hope I don’t sound like a broken record, lol, just needs a few wraps of PTFE on the threads , ensure ends of pipe are cut square using a plastic tube cutter , ensure there’s no gouges etc on the pipes
Bubble test connector after
I’ve fitted them to my valve blocks, air tank, compressor , front struts
Hope that helps
13th May 2020 11:49 pm
pwheeldon
Member Since: 14 Jan 2020
Location: West Yorks
Posts: 1513
Cheers Gary. I'm thinking ill get 6 and check the valves and replace the voss connectors. I have a pipe cutter that I use for 15mm pipe and 20mm conduit, I assume that'd give a clean cut. Thanks for the quick reply.Discovery 4 GS 2009 Auto Stornoway Grey
Discovery 3 s 2005 Auto Bonatti Grey Gone
Discovery 3 SE 2005 Manual Zambezi Silver Gone
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Aston Martin DB7 VV
14th May 2020 8:58 am
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 14177
Ur so welcome and always happy to help where I can
Indeed I ended up replacing virtually all of them , think ur notice the difference when fitting them As won’t have to mess around with spanners after , I did bubble test after because it made me aware of some pipes that weren’t smooth which allowed them to leak, so either cut the ends or cleaned them off with some wet and dry or emery paper
Indeed those cutters sound perfect for the job
Still can’t get over that Voss connectors are around £14.00 each
have been impressed with the pushfits , also used a small smear of silicone grease on the pipe which will also I hope protect the internal O rings from drying up , along with making it easier to install the pipe
plse let us know how u get on
14th May 2020 11:51 am
pwheeldon
Member Since: 14 Jan 2020
Location: West Yorks
Posts: 1513
The o rings arrived tge other day, so hopefully servicing tge valve block tomorrow. I have set of o rings like yours, but opted for buying tge specific kit for servicing tve valve, that way I know they're right.
Fingers crossed I'll have a working suspension after the weekend!Discovery 4 GS 2009 Auto Stornoway Grey
Discovery 3 s 2005 Auto Bonatti Grey Gone
Discovery 3 SE 2005 Manual Zambezi Silver Gone
Range Rover Sport HSE 2006 Black
Aston Martin DB7 VV
12th Jun 2020 11:04 am
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 14177
Hiya
Hope it sorts it all out for u,
12th Jun 2020 12:09 pm
pwheeldon
Member Since: 14 Jan 2020
Location: West Yorks
Posts: 1513
Hi
I did the service on the front valve block but its still dropping. I sprayed the block after the service and it didn't bubble.
I am assuming the next step is to soap up the struts and see if they're leaking.
It literally takes about an hour to drop! If I take out tge fuse then its just the front that drops.Discovery 4 GS 2009 Auto Stornoway Grey
Discovery 3 s 2005 Auto Bonatti Grey Gone
Discovery 3 SE 2005 Manual Zambezi Silver Gone
Range Rover Sport HSE 2006 Black
Aston Martin DB7 VV
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