Replacing Air Struts
it just gets better, the compressor must have heater up and melted the air hose out the back and the smaller hose with the orange fittings that goes from the pump to the desecant canister. It was melted into the pump fitting. i need to continue picking out the melted plastic out of the inlets. Probably time for a new/used pump. Removal of the pump was a challenge, the top bolt on the pump was really tough to access. I ended up using a spanner and turned the bolt about an 1/8 turn at a time. on the bright side, I probably won't need two new rear shocks.
Last edited by ljdiscovery; May 25, 2020 at 08:05 PM.
question, should I get the AMK style compressor or keep the hitachi and swap the desecant canister from the burnt one and put it on my old one. A used AMK or Hitachi run from $150 to $300 on car-part.com, used parts from wrecks. The Arnott AMK style compressor is around $600. I will have to trim the larger hose out of the back and refit the push-in fitting. Not looking forward to reinstalling the Hitachi compressor, it seems lke the AMK installs easier. Thoughts? Thanks Phil
Your compressor temperature sensor may have failed. The compressors do get hot enough to fuse in the exhaust line but typically not to melt it. A software update lowered the max operating temperature. I have need seem the smaller line get fused.
I see no reason to go AMK, there is zero advantage. Im not sure the dryers are swappable anyway. And you would need a new housing shell since they are not compatible. Also dont forget you need a software update to run the AMK. So I just dont see the need or reason to swap. I would be wary of a used compressor, while the cheap eBay ones may only last a year I would rather go that route for $150. My neighbor installed one and he did have some odd issues, turns out the new cheap eBay compressor has a bad temperature sensor so it would always want to cool down. We put one in from a factory parts compressor (always nice to hand onto old things). But it works fine, its quiet and it was cheap.
For the top bolt, honestly you could probably not even install it. But I use a small 1/4" drive and socket with a swivel and a nice long extension. From below you sorta work it in and up and over the compressor. Once you figure it out its pretty easy but always annoying.
I see no reason to go AMK, there is zero advantage. Im not sure the dryers are swappable anyway. And you would need a new housing shell since they are not compatible. Also dont forget you need a software update to run the AMK. So I just dont see the need or reason to swap. I would be wary of a used compressor, while the cheap eBay ones may only last a year I would rather go that route for $150. My neighbor installed one and he did have some odd issues, turns out the new cheap eBay compressor has a bad temperature sensor so it would always want to cool down. We put one in from a factory parts compressor (always nice to hand onto old things). But it works fine, its quiet and it was cheap.
For the top bolt, honestly you could probably not even install it. But I use a small 1/4" drive and socket with a swivel and a nice long extension. From below you sorta work it in and up and over the compressor. Once you figure it out its pretty easy but always annoying.
Oh, you may need the compressor conversion kit thing. Its not cheap for what it is, but its a set of tubes and fittings for swapping compressor brands. But it also works as a repair kit to take care of that melted hose you have.
thank you for the input. I hadn't even thought about the ebay compressors. I found several for around $150 and one for $160ish that included a new relay and a pipe repair kit. That may be the way to go. Phil
EDIT - I ordered a pump, relay and pipe repair kit on Ebay. All in one package. $160 plus tax. Seller stated that he/she was just 120 miles, North of me. Once I paid, I was informed that the pump/relay/pipe repair kit would arrive in...........2 weeks! Arrrrrgh. So much for truthful ebay listing. Meanwhile the LR3 is sitting in the driveway sitting on the stops.
EDIT - I ordered a pump, relay and pipe repair kit on Ebay. All in one package. $160 plus tax. Seller stated that he/she was just 120 miles, North of me. Once I paid, I was informed that the pump/relay/pipe repair kit would arrive in...........2 weeks! Arrrrrgh. So much for truthful ebay listing. Meanwhile the LR3 is sitting in the driveway sitting on the stops.
Last edited by ljdiscovery; May 27, 2020 at 10:57 AM.
Have read all of this a bit dated thread and have a question...
I'm investigating replacing my front air springs because we want to do a cross Canada trip this coming summer (Covid-19 permitting), my machine has 270,000 Km (about 168,000 miles) on it and all the air struts look original. Is everyone suggesting Arnott as the preferred brand? I realize these apparently original parts on my machine presently are likely beyond their "best before" date and am willing to pull the trigger and go with Arnott, just want some really reliable air springs/shocks that won't crater out when it is minus 40 degrees up here in the "Great White North." I don't presently have any issues other than the whole front end dropping after 2 weeks of sitting, so I'm going to install a new gasket set in the front valve block, but am a bit reluctant to try a 5,000 mile trip with these ancient air springs. Opinions/comments are welcome and invited, thanks in advance...
I'm investigating replacing my front air springs because we want to do a cross Canada trip this coming summer (Covid-19 permitting), my machine has 270,000 Km (about 168,000 miles) on it and all the air struts look original. Is everyone suggesting Arnott as the preferred brand? I realize these apparently original parts on my machine presently are likely beyond their "best before" date and am willing to pull the trigger and go with Arnott, just want some really reliable air springs/shocks that won't crater out when it is minus 40 degrees up here in the "Great White North." I don't presently have any issues other than the whole front end dropping after 2 weeks of sitting, so I'm going to install a new gasket set in the front valve block, but am a bit reluctant to try a 5,000 mile trip with these ancient air springs. Opinions/comments are welcome and invited, thanks in advance...


