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Front ride height changes while driving

Old Aug 25, 2018 | 10:02 AM
  #1  
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Default Front ride height changes while driving

When I take a drive, even a short one across town, I get out to leave the vehicle the back end drops. Significantly, usually around 2” or so. I’m assuming it’s self leveling to compensate for the front being low. I’ve disabled the system by pulling the fuses and have lost 3-5mm in height, on all 4 corners, in roughly 42 hours. I don’t know if that means I don’t have any leak, or it’s just VERY slow. It’s certainly nothing that would cause 2” of drop in a half hour or less. So, this leads me to believe the EAS is dropping my front (or raising the rear) while I drive. Anybody know a reason why?
 
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Old Aug 26, 2018 | 10:28 AM
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This system is dynamic. It does try to level itself while sitting, it also will lower the front end at highway seep to increase stability, add pressure to the outside suspension in a turn for further stability etc, etc, etc. If it drops 3-5 mm in almost 2 days, it would not bother me. I have seen it drop 10-15 mm when lock it up to go to the grocery store after it hisses at me (I think I need a new exhaust valve muffler). I do notice that the front end drops when I stop at a traffic light sometimes too. If it is working just fine, leave it until you have a more traceable problem. Use a diagnostic tool to check the compressor temp, galley pressure and current draw during and after after a drive of more than 45 mins. Lastly if is still bothering you and you think there is a leak, spray down the COMPLETE air system with soapy water from a spray bottle looking for bubbles.

Bottom line, this is not a simple "fill the air spring to raise and lower the car" type of a system. They are CONSTANTLY adding and subtracting pressure in all four corners all time. It is what make the LR3 such a unique car.

Good luck, and let us know what you find.

Jeff
 
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Old Aug 26, 2018 | 05:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Rufflyer
This system is dynamic. It does try to level itself while sitting, it also will lower the front end at highway seep to increase stability, add pressure to the outside suspension in a turn for further stability etc, etc, etc. If it drops 3-5 mm in almost 2 days, it would not bother me. I have seen it drop 10-15 mm when lock it up to go to the grocery store after it hisses at me (I think I need a new exhaust valve muffler). I do notice that the front end drops when I stop at a traffic light sometimes too. If it is working just fine, leave it until you have a more traceable problem. Use a diagnostic tool to check the compressor temp, galley pressure and current draw during and after after a drive of more than 45 mins. Lastly if is still bothering you and you think there is a leak, spray down the COMPLETE air system with soapy water from a spray bottle looking for bubbles.

Bottom line, this is not a simple "fill the air spring to raise and lower the car" type of a system. They are CONSTANTLY adding and subtracting pressure in all four corners all time. It is what make the LR3 such a unique car.

Good luck, and let us know what you find.

Jeff
Yeah, I get all that. I don't think there is a leak, it just consistently drops the rear a good 2 inches nearly every time I park the car. Given that it's so consistent, I figure there must be a reason. My compressor is weak from a leak in one of the front struts. I have a replacement in the basement, I just hate to throw it in if it's going to be overworked.
 
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Old Aug 26, 2018 | 10:09 PM
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Dropping 2” is not normal.

i would suspect rear valve block.
 
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Old Aug 30, 2018 | 10:31 AM
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Originally Posted by abran
Dropping 2” is not normal.

i would suspect rear valve block.
Just so I’m on the same page, you think rear, not the front? In my thinking,and I’m far from your knowledge base, the front loses height involuntarily while the rear drops upon parking to level the vehicle.
 
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Old Aug 30, 2018 | 03:42 PM
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I'd guess this is normal behavior and has nothing to do with any issues in the system. The front end lowering at stops is normal. The back end dropping after shutting down and closing the doors is normal. Mine drops with a hiss every time after I lock it and walk away, even more so if it was carrying a lot of weight (like 6 passengers). I haven't measured to see if it is a full 2" but it seems like it's in that ballpark in the latter scenario. Normally it looks like it's about .5"-1".
 
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Old Aug 31, 2018 | 04:38 AM
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I get the occasional raise or lower while driving or stopped in traffic but nothing i would expect to be an issue, always remain level when parked.
 
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Old Aug 31, 2018 | 05:38 AM
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When this 2” drop in the rear occurs, is the vehicle then sitting level?

if so, normal.
 
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Old Sep 1, 2018 | 02:18 PM
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Originally Posted by abran
When this 2” drop in the rear occurs, is the vehicle then sitting level?

if so, normal.
After driving, even as short as going to the grocery store, 6 blocks or so. I exit the vehicle, shut the door and the rear drops. The vehicle is level at this point, I haven’t measured it, but it looks normal. Then upon start up the vehicle raises. The thing that makes me feel it’s out of the ordinary is 1- how far it drops and 2- how regularly it happens. I don’t feel like it’s a leak in the airbags or air lines post valves because it doesn’t lose height if I disable the system. Maybe it is normal and I’m just paranoid. I bought the vehicle with a weak pump due to pinholes in the front passenger strut, so I don’t really know what normal is.
 
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Old Sep 1, 2018 | 05:24 PM
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Paranoia will destroy ya.

You are good.
 
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