Regarding Reggie the Range Rover... 2007, 3.6tdv8, Vogue SE, 60,000 miles.

One of the front suspension airbags has sprung a leak. I plan to get a new complete strut as my mechanic-friend has limited time.

My question is about whether or not it is good practice to replace both front assemblies??

I have been reading as much on here and elsewhere about the whole set-up and most seem to talk about just replacing the one that leaks but I'm used to always replacing the pair when it comes to normal shox and/or springs.

All advice very gratefully received!!

Thank you.

Reggie

Last edited by Reggie on 2nd Mar 2023 12:14pm. Edited 1 time in total

I would definitely replace both Reggie.

I say this as otherwise you'd have a nice fresh shock on one side and the other side will have x amount of miles under its belt with different damping characteristics.

Also usually when one side springs a leak the other isn't far behind.

I would recommend avoiding Dunlop brand shocks. I fitted a pair to my 09 L322 and they knocked right out of the box. (Has been documented on here before)

I put BWI on the last 322 and no problems

In an ideal world, you'd replace both. In the real world, when it comes to the springing it's much less critical with air springs than coils as they're not as susceptible to sagging over time - and the self-levelling system will ensure the car still sits at the correct height on both sides.

Where it gets complicated is the shock absorbers - they're very difficult to test properly without specialist equipment (beyond the usual 'is it leaking', 'does it still offer resistance', 'does it self-extend' tests); and if one is worn, they're both going to be worn, so a new unit on one side can create interesting behaviours.

As usual with these things, it comes down to a trade-off between the factors of cost, speed, and what is best practice.

Most people will go with the cheapest option of changing a single unit (even with springs I see that a lot). Personally, I'd do both - doing the work myself means I offset any garage costs. 2012 (L322) 4.4TDV8 Vogue SE, RSE, Fuji White over Arabica.
Previous V8s: BMW 645Ci, P38 4.6, P38 4.0, Merc CL500
Previous others: Honda x1, Volvo x7, Rover x6, BMW x6, Ford x1, Mercedes x2, Skoda x3, VW x2, Renault x2, Citroen x1, Mazda x3, Nissan x1, Audi x3, Kia x1, Fiat x4, Subaru x3, Austin x2, Triumph x2, Jeep x2, Hyundai x2, Lexus x1, Mitsubishi x1, Saab x2... and some others I've forgotten!

Thank you both!

I will go ahead and replace both sides to be safe.

(Keeping my fingers crossed that the rest of the system is OK too!)

Best wishes

R the RR

100% always in pairs as they are your dampers as well as air springs sir...

Thank you and, yes, will do

I've ordered 'OEM' but it turns out they are the Dunlop ones. Now, my fingers are crossed that they don't send a noisy pair!

Thanks again

R the RR

If they sent the Dunlop ones to me I’m afraid I’d be returning them and asking for a set of Denso ones as they are the brand JLR use… Heard nothing but problems with the Dunlops unfortunately sir…

I got a pair of BWI strut & airbag assemblies from Duckworths, just shy of £300 each inc. delivery. I believe BWI were the OEM at the time - don't forget to order the gasket for the top mount.

Thanks again...

I have been reading about the Dunlop struts and knocking noises etc but had a look at the ad for the struts I've ordered. It clearly says Dunlop so I'm stuck with them for now, my mistake!

More on that once they've been on for a while

Thank you for the tip re gaskets, Phoenix, I have ordered them today

Also, the struts on the car are original and the label says 'Delphi', if that's of use to anyone.

Best wishes to all

Reggie

BWI bought the chassis division of Delphi some years ago, so they are effectively the same.

Sounds like if the Dunlops don't work out I should replace with BWI versions.

It was a stupid, potentially expensive mistake. MarianaWestminster warned me about Dunlop and I didn't check properly, even though I noticed that Rimmer Bros do the Dunlop ones so didn't buy from them:(

They're being fitted on Thursday so we'll see how it goes from there

One (tiny) good thing has come out of this so far...

The car has had mudflaps from new. Probably dealer-fitted as they were not fitted properly. I have removed one, expecting to see horrors beneath, and everything was as new. Now re-fitted properly and with stainless steel hardware

Making me brave enough to have a look at the rear arches? Maybe...

R the RR

I've just fitted BWI to the front of mine, airbags were 'OK' but the strut on one side was for a SC and the other side was 'tired' and a bit crashy/bangy. I also had to find a harmonic damper weight as the incorrect strut didn't have one, I replaced the rear dampers at the same time with Bilstein units, the difference is (as expected) immense, now I can feel the NSR bushes crashing around in the arms, so that's the next job. It wasn't the cheapest job but good value for money, once I've done the rear tie rods, that should be it for a few years!.

You can remove the cup and weight from the old strut and put them onto the new item, or you could just fit the new without the anti vibration damper, I doubt you would notice a lot of difference tbh.

I'd swap it over just to keep it as designed tbh.

To add, the damper weight can prove somewhat difficult to remove.

(and that's an understatement if ever there was one)

Good luck