Hi everyone, this is my first post so any help with verbiage and technical knowledge will be greatly appreciated. I also apologize for a lengthy post.

I have a 2001 Disco II with 66k miles. Last week I went to a store, was inside for an hour or so and when I came out the rear driver's side air suspension was completely deflated. I called my service guy at the dealer and he told me I could drive home and to call him when I got there. The bag had inflated by the time I arrived. So I don't believe it's a compressor issue. There hasn't been as issue since. I don't know when the air bags were last replaced so I'm sure they need to be. However, the guy told me I should consider a coil conversion. The dealer's estimate is too much for me to spend right now, so I'm looking at doing this myself. I'm not a mechanical person but I have friends who are and I'm smart enough to follow a plan. I'd like some help on the process.

1. Jack the car really high, put stands under chassis, letting the axle dangle.
2. Remove jack and put under differential pan.
3. Take off wheel, jack axle slightly.
4. Carefully take off 2 air bag retaining clips mounting at top and remove air pipe.
5. Remove air bags like light bulb.
6. Install spring seat. I may have to drill and tap? I'm confused on this part. Are there any schematics on this?
7. Install shocks.
8. Compress spring and install.
9. Decompress spring. Make sure it's seated properly and aligned.
10. Put wheel back on.

So here are my questions: Did I miss anything in the process? Also, when and how do I disconnect the air compressor and reprogram the SLABS computer? What parts and tools will I need?

This is my daily driver but do enjoy going camping and off roading monthly. I plan on adding a roof rack at some point but I don't do any trailering.

Thank you!
Michael

 

it's simple enough process. couple of bottle jacks/couple of jack stands/sockets and rachet.

6. should be no need for drill, just bolt it up

don't know if your conversion comes with isolators, but that is an option that is not required, but comes from factory with'em.

I just disconnect related fuses and air never bothered with reprogramming, because I think that requires human interaction with a shop/stealership.

 

When bags leak, it is very common for them to leak at fold. You can extend the rear supension and spray soapy water on the bag to see if it leaks. You can get an arnott bag from Advance Auto around $120 shipped with a coupon.

Mine used to sag overnight, I replaced the bags and it hasn't done it since.

Here is a great guide to the DII SLS http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f68/di...de-171995.html

 

In your steps above you will need to depressurize the bag to remove it. That can be done 2 ways. 1. Loosen the air hose at the compressor or 2. Stab a hole in it.
I have done both. When I changed my bags I stabbed them with a utility knife and when I installed the SLS spacers, I loosened the hose fitting at the compressor.

Are you installing new shocks? Step 7 is installing them, where are you removing them?
You may not need to compress the spring to install it You should be able to get enough room by disconnecting the shock and swaybar link.

There are some you tube videos (Lucky8, Rovers North) on installing lifts. Watch them on how to remove/install the springs.

 

oh yeah, that^ I like to stab or drill a hole
it's like payback, for the times that they failed you

 

Why not replace your two bags for around $260 and be done with it?

 

I was going to initially just replace the bags but after some research it seems as though most people favor the coils and shocks. I was told that it'll be less hassle/maintenance than the air suspension. However, I haven't gone ahead with any plans yet as I haven't had another issue.

If I do decide to do the conversion, what are the impressions of the Atlantic British coil spring conversion kit? Are the springs heavy duty enough to support the added weight of a roof rack and cargo (nothing massive, just normal outdoors stuff)? Would I also need to buy shocks to complete the project?

 

I will definitely visit this site again because i learned a lot and got very helpful information from your blog.Thanks for sharing.
I ever further to simulation the evaluation noesis and this event I recovered in you communicator. Your article has helped me to understand this subject on a different level.

 

So I finally completed the project. I went with the OEM Rover parts for the conversion. Only took a few hours; it would have been quicker if I hadn't put the coil in upside down the first time! I was expecting lights to come on when I started it up, but nothing on the dash appeared. Is that normal? Also, does the air compressor have any functions other than the air suspension? If not, how would I remove it?

 

I dont know if I would remove the air compressor... I have heard you can put a diffferent hose coming off the air compressor and a manual power switch and can use it to air back up after airing tires down for off roading. I am currently considering 2"spacers or converting to springs. Weighing the pros and cons right now. How do you like the coils vs airbags?