Jacked up osf to tidy front brembo and heard a hissing. Tracked it to the nsf airbag split.

I think they are originals and 2011. So for those in the know. Should I change both front airbags, change split airbag, change strut, change both struts?

Leaning towards just bags as really dont fancy the 1k bill for new adaptive struts. 2011 4.4tdv8 Vogue
Baltic Blue

I did bags only on my 2012, a little over an hour for the first one and under an hour for the seconds one. Easy job, assistance is needed when lifting it back into place (well I needed assistance). Just make sure the seal areas are clean, all perfect after I'd done it.

AJG BMW i3 Electric Car
2012 Full Fat RR 4.4 TDV8 (now gone)
2006 VW Touareg 3.0 TDi V6

Thanks AJ. I remember reading when you did them.

I am just wondering whether the struts are end of life or not. Difficult to say I guess.

It looks simple enough. How hard is it to get the bag over the seals? 2011 4.4tdv8 Vogue
Baltic Blue

I found it easy, a bit of lube and they slide on no problem. I would recommend soaking all the relevant nuts and bolts with Plusgas for a couple of days prior to doing the job, mine came undone easy.

Good luck, send us the pictures BMW i3 Electric Car
2012 Full Fat RR 4.4 TDV8 (now gone)
2006 VW Touareg 3.0 TDi V6

Great. Already started with the plusgas.

Which manufacturer did you go for in the end? 2011 4.4tdv8 Vogue
Baltic Blue

For the relatively small extra cost, it would be worth getting new bottom bolts. When I did mine on the Td6 the bottom bolts took a bit of a hammering, despite soaking them. John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT
2003 Discovery TD5 Auto, Nanocom Evolution - gone to a new home!
MasseyFerguson 152 - No electronics!! - Sold

Did think that. I agree. 2011 4.4tdv8 Vogue
Baltic Blue

Do both sides, full strut exchange, peace of mind .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

I had exactly the same earlier this year on my 2011 5.0 S/C, and replaced both struts complete from Island 4x4, as I wanted to make sure it returned to full reliable service, and there were no further air leaks.

All my bolts came out easily as it happened (after a few soakings of Plusgas too), but I had ordered new knuckle bolts and nuts just in case, and was happy to fit them if they then last another 9/10 years!

If you do go for the complete struts, don't forget to get the little plastic clips SGK000080 for the sensor wires, as they will highly likely snap if/when you try to extract the existing ones. If you're sticking in an order for parts, much easier to tag 2 of these on as well, and compared to the rest of the parts they cost nothing! My pics here: https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic54196-15.html .

 2011 4.4tdv8 Vogue
Baltic Blue

At what mileage do bags tend to go? Mine's coming up to 75000 now and still on originals AFAIK. Previous cars:
S-Max 2007-2013 (only diesel I've had, good car but expensive when diesely bits go wrong, so what's the point?)
Galaxy 2001-2007
Mondeo Estate 1997-2001
Sierra Estate 1993-1997
Uno Turbo 1987 -1993
Fiesta 1984 - 1987
Fiat 127 1982 - 1984

I think it's probably a combination of mileage and age.

Mine's a 2011, and a lot of people with 2011's seem to have been popping airbags this year, so seems to be a 9-10 year thing! Given it's basically a thick rubber bag, which perishes and hardens with age, I don't think that's a bad life!

I forget the exact mileage when my one popped, but was around 77k miles, and both of mine appeared to be original factory items.

Well I have just tipped the 102 or nearly 103k now.

To be expected. Just don't know whether to just do bags or the whole thing x2 2011 4.4tdv8 Vogue
Baltic Blue

Whatever you choose to do make sure you do both sides sir...

Definitely both sides, totally agree.

I dont see why just replacing the airbags rather than the whole strut is an issue though, if the rest of the strut is ok why replace the whole thing? Fitting the replacement bag is easy, good quality bag from Island 4x4, new seals in the kit and it is only one nut to undo. BMW i3 Electric Car
2012 Full Fat RR 4.4 TDV8 (now gone)
2006 VW Touareg 3.0 TDi V6