Hi everyone,

I recently bought an '04 Discovery HSE this past summer and am still trying to figure out some of the features of this vehicle. There was only 39,000 km on the vehicle when I purchased it and there's a bout 46,000 on it now. One thing I've noticed though is that on occasion, when the engine is turned off and the truck has been sitting for a bit, the rear end lowers itself. When I start it up again it raises back to its normal height... is this normal? It doesn't do it every time it's turned off, only on occasion which I thought was strange, but then again I don't know much about it.

The other thing I've noticed is that when I'm driving and have come to a stop, whether it be at a stop light or in a drive thru, the brakes sound like they're releasing air. Are they air assisted? Again, is this a normal feature for the truck or is it something I should have looked it? I was considering taking it to my local Land Rover dealership, but didn't want to sound like a fool asking them and/or pay a ridiculous fee to have it checked to find out it's nothing.

Anyway, if anyone hear can help me out it would be much appreciated!

Thanks,
Ryan

 

First of all, if she is squatting at the back, that is not normal,then you have a leak somewhere in the rear air suspension. It is most likely caused by a leaking air spring, the problem is, that when a leak is present the compressor works a LOT more than its designed to when trying to keep the truck level etc, and they then eventually cook themselves and you'll need a new one.

Test the air bags with a soapy / water spray solution ALL over them including the pipe fittings on the top ete and see if you can see bubbles (ie a leak). Do it at normal height and at offroad height using the switch on the dash to raise the rear up.
The bags dont cost that much to replace,but do them BOTH so you know where you are. Quite often the bags can seal / unseal themselves (if that makes sense) as they roll over themselves to inflate, this is why it does not happen all the time.

If you don't want to investigate or pay somone to do it, then just replace them both and go from there, they will need doing at some point any way and it's better to do it BEFORE it cooks the compressor. Takes about 30 mins a side to do.

And despite what LOADS will tell you that the system always fails, and to fit coils and be done with it, the Air suspension is pretty reliable, and is FAR better than coils in both features for road / towing/ offroad and the truck rides better to!!

Secondly, the brakes are not air assisted, so you need to investigate a little more ref the noise your hearing, it "may" be due to leaking air suspension components ref the first problem

 

I get that 'air brake noise' too when I turn off my disco...I assume it's just a pressure relief valve for the air suspension system releasing pressure..I like it..sounds tough...like a big rig

 

Thanks so much for the reply. Any idea how much new springs cost??

 

http://www.roverlandparts.com/coilsp...eoverkits.aspx

I found this while looking at suspension stuff And am posting it as a link to Roverland Parts.com, Hope it helps!