Land Rover Repair: Air Suspension, land rover discovery, land rover dealership

Question
I drive a 2000 Land Rover Discovery and on day the back sank down low.  I brought it into the Land Rover dealership because the guy said that it was probably a leak in the bag, but they couldnt find a leak.  Then it started happening more frequently.  Finally it sank for good, it use to rise back up when I started the car, but it wont do that. It wont rise when I push the button, neither will the other side...which did not sink it just wont raise up.  They said when I talked to them on the phone that sometimes the compressor will turn itself off if it feels that it is hurting itself so that I may not have to replace it. I am set to bring the car in a couple of days so I just wanted to have some information ahead of time.  I am hoping that it is the best case scnerio (air bags 800 dollars or so), but affraid if it is the worst case.  I have put lots of money into this car and I have only had it since March.  Thank you for your help.

Answer
Hi Barbara,

sorry to read about your Disco air suspension. It's a carry-over from the Range Rover and (in my opinion) they should have left it with the Rangies.

This is a common problem with LR's that have air.  Yes, both the compressor and the airbags do spring leaks (pardon the pun) and repairs are expensive.  I would seriously consider changing over from air to the 'tried and true' spring and shock suspension.  Kits exist to do this (Atlantic British have one for about $500 to $800) and any local garage can perform the work.

You can try your patience with the LR dealer but 9 times out of 10, you'll be back.  Maybe they are counting on this.

Usually, it's the compressor.  When it won't raise on startup...something is triggering a fault.  

Best of luck,

JohnMc