Hi Folks - Not been on here for a while but keeping an eye on things..!

So I would like your opinion/advice on something please - Had recent lights all over the dash indicating the alternator was packing up so took it to a convenient garage (behind the railway station where I park) for them to replace it.

It took them a day longer than expected because the received a faulty one at first but got the call this morning to let me know its done - HOWEVER - On lowering the car tot he ground and driving out of the garage they told me the front right suspension airbag has now deflated and blown..

Is this down to them as it was in their care or is it just bad timing and so down to me anyway.

Not trying to 'try it on' but just wanted your advice on it - ITs costing me £750 already for the alternator so didn't need the extra cost right now.

Thanks all as usual Ash
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2016 SDV8 AB

Worth trying to do a deal, if you source the new strut (Delphi from Island 4x4) then would they fit it (foc) ?

If they know what they are doing should only take an hour or two, tops. .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

I'd say you're probably just unlucky. On mine it seems that the rubber is most vulnerable when fully extended, either in off-road mode, or when the wheels are hanging on a lift. Before it's fully extended, the bag sort of folds over itself and is double walled. Because people rarely extend it fully, it perishes beneath the fold but the double wall effectively keeps it all together. I'd guess that in getting it up in the air they've just exposed some perishing that already existed and it's gone pop.

I thought as much but wanted to check.

Would you just replace the bag or the whole unit (including shock etc.?)

Whole unit must be considerably more expensive than just the airbag

Thx Ash
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2016 SDV8 AB

The shocks are 8 years old now as well!

To be honest, you should really replace both sides at once, many many stories of people replacing one side, only to see the other side go pop a couple of weeks later.

Lots of sad tales from folks here fitting just bags too. .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

FWIW, rear airbags do seem to hold together much better and very rarely go pop. .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

I think you'd be surprised to be honest, my view is that changing just the bag can be a false economy. Definitely look into both options, but last time I needed to sort mine it wasn't much more for the whole lot, and it's a much easier job to fit yourself. One but of advice would be to replace both sides at the same time if you can stretch to it, usually when one goes the other won't be far behind, and you can avoid other problems by swapping both out

I had one pop on my old Vogue, and replaced both. I think I used Delphi units from Island. they were about £250 each, complete.

They are absurdly easy to fit. Even having never done it before and just doing it on the drive with a socket set, I'm pretty sure it took less than half an hour a side. From memory alone, release the airline, undo three nuts at the top of the turret, two bolts at the bottom of the strut and Bob's your Auntie's live-in lover. There may be something clipped to the leg of the strut, such as a brake line or pad wear cable or something?

Fitting is just the reverse of the above. The most difficult part was lining up the three top studs when you lift the new one back in!

I used to raise mine and wash the bags regularly to try and stop them perishing.

As said above, it was only a matter of time. £750 for an alternator though, that must have hurt!