MY12 4.4TDV8. I have owned since under 2 years old and now showing 165,000 miles.
I have serviced it to death and it has been extremely reliable; still on original airbags and shocks all round with only a set of front bushes so far plus a set of rear lower bushes at 100,000 miles.

Recently the rear suspension feels as if something isn't right. It feels unstable and a slight hardness (almost like a mild bottoming out) when going over largish-ish holes/bumps. On the motorway at speed, it feels nervous in the rear as if the dynamic damping isn't pushing down on the appropriate side to counter the turn torsion.

There is no sign of fluid leakage on the rear shocks and the airbags are fine. The car raises/lowers as it should and there is no dashboard warning, however something definitely isn't right with it. Other than a mildly audible creaking from the rear when going over speed humps, there's no knocking that would suggest a worn bush, although I imagine these are past their best by now.

Any experiences of this out there?

Check the height sensors are free to move at both ends, Active damping relies upon rate of change (amongst other things) as well as relative position of the height sensors to determine the amount of current that should be applied to each damper.

I had an unstable rear on my car. In my case it was a rear strut that was shot (no oil).
For me, the tell tail sign was that you could feel the rear skip out slightly on anything other than smooth tarmac. Currently driving: 2012 L322 SE Overfinch 4.4 tdv8

Past rides:
2014 Audi Q7 3.0d (good riddance)
2010 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged
2011 L320 HSE 3.0 sdv6
2014 Jaguar XF-RS 5.0 supercharged
2007 BMW 535D
2005 Mini Cooper S

https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic59478.html

Ffrr-lover wrote:

I had an unstable rear on my car. In my case it was a rear strut that was shot (no oil).
For me, the tell tail sign was that you could feel the rear skip out slightly on anything other than smooth tarmac.

Phoenix wrote:

Check the height sensors are free to move at both ends, Active damping relies upon rate of change (amongst other things) as well as relative position of the height sensors to determine the amount of current that should be applied to each damper.

stoutgoose wrote:

Ffrr-lover wrote:

I had an unstable rear on my car. In my case it was a rear strut that was shot (no oil).
For me, the tell tail sign was that you could feel the rear skip out slightly on anything other than smooth tarmac.

Thanks for this; mine feels similar, especially when cornering at speed, for example, on a motorway curved slip road (think continental style tight curved types). Did yours do the same, also any evidence of rear strut leakage?

I don’t have many of those in this part of Lincolnshire
I would get it even at 30-40 mph…
But mine was bad…

Click image to enlarge

 Currently driving: 2012 L322 SE Overfinch 4.4 tdv8

Past rides:
2014 Audi Q7 3.0d (good riddance)
2010 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged
2011 L320 HSE 3.0 sdv6
2014 Jaguar XF-RS 5.0 supercharged
2007 BMW 535D
2005 Mini Cooper S

https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic59478.html

It doesn't look like much fluid loss there, certainly not running oil. Maybe mine has 'evaporated' after 160,000 miles.

Ffrr-lover wrote:

stoutgoose wrote:

Ffrr-lover wrote:

I had an unstable rear on my car. In my case it was a rear strut that was shot (no oil).
For me, the tell tail sign was that you could feel the rear skip out slightly on anything other than smooth tarmac.

Thanks for this; mine feels similar, especially when cornering at speed, for example, on a motorway curved slip road (think continental style tight curved types). Did yours do the same, also any evidence of rear strut leakage?

I don’t have many of those in this part of Lincolnshire
I would get it even at 30-40 mph…
But mine was bad…

Click image to enlarge

I bought a pair of OEM ones off Island 4x4 a few years back for approx £520 & I’m sure they’re cheaper now 2011 RR Vogue 4.4 TDV8

https://www.island-4x4.co.uk/suspension-pa...mp;sort=3a

4.4TDV8 uses different shocks to 3.6. Unfortunately a lot more money but you have to pay to play I guess.

Easy enough to fit yourself with a willing assistant so that will reduce the price of the job somewhat at least 👍 2011 RR Vogue 4.4 TDV8

Thanks for that. Island 4X4 are definitely the cheapest for Bilstein which I'm sure have got to be better than the cheap Chinese variants on eBay.

Is it a straight forward job to change? I'm a very competent amateur mechanic with decent tools but cannot seem to find a decent 'how to video' out there and don't want to get stuck half way with the car in a compromising position!

Really easy to do. Fold the rear seats forward and remove the boot floor and you will see three 13mm nuts. Remove the active suspension connector and remove the nuts. Remove shock lower bolt and it slides out. Handy to have a jack under the knuckle to adjust the height to get the bolt out/install. Just had mine out to do a suspension refurb.

Thanks good to know.

The Workshop Manual is downloadable from the Wiki. All in there.

Put the Bilstein units from Island on mine nearly a year ago. No issues.

You do need the paper seal that goes between them and the body though. LR say it’s essential to stop water ingress.

 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8

Previous cars :
2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6
1999 Discovery Td5 ES
1995 BMW M5 3.8 6 speed
1992 Range Rover 3.9 Efi Vogue
1992 BMW M5 3.8
1988 BMW 735i SE
1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9i
1981 Ford Fiesta Supersport

Thanks, good point about the seal, although would a smear of decent instant gasket do the trick?