It is worth reseating the pipe at both ends as if it doesn't get caught properly it will still work but will be loose I had this on my old p38

and check whether the end has been trimmed when they put new bag on if at an angle it can allow a seepage under pressure

Thanks Sandy, my gut feeling is that it's the connection at the strut end but it's pretty inaccessible with the strut in place.

I have had a quick look with a borescope but I heed to have a better look at this to rule it out , I only squirted a mouthful of water onto the connection through a pipe attached to the borescope and didn't see any bubbles but I need to have another go at this with a better spraying system and some soapy water, I didn't fancy blowing soapy water through a pipe onto the connection from my mouth.......

I had a bit of time over the weekend to have another look at this and unfortunately am no further on.

Spraying soapy water through a pipe attached to a borescope onto the connection at the strut end didn't reveal any leaks or bubbles.

I pulled off the arch lining on the drivers side to expose the front cross link valve, unfortunately again, after spraying the connections with soapy water there was no leaks or bubbles.

I disconnected the valve assemble, removed it, dismantled it, cleaned everything, reassembled, refitted, checked again for leaks, and.............nothing, except for the same corner dropping slowly.

Actually, it just occurred to me, perhaps I should have refitted the pipes the other way around to see if the problem swapped sides........hmmmm.......

So, assuming the valve is ok, which I'm not just because I cleaned it and didn't find any problems, or leaks, but assuming it is ok, then the problem must be either the pipework from the valve to the strut, the connection to the strut, or the air bag itself.

The hunt continues......

Mine started with "extended, reset height" etc....then progressed to "Suspension Fault" and onto "Special Programmes off" After a full fine tooth comb today, my worst fears are confirmed.....Compressor isn't packing a punch and the seals are shot.



That coupled with the rather irritating rear end shunt of 3 weeks ago has me in a very unhappy place  Is this where I put the car details and a bit about myself ?........

Thanks Nick, but unfortunately, or fortunately, I'm not sure yet , I'm not getting any error messages or faults and the system is performing as it should except for dropping on one corner....

Having said that, the longer it continues the greater the chance of it having a negative affect on the pump.

hamlet wrote:

I should have said earlier, after start up and after the corner has come back to normal height, but perhaps before it's reached full pressure, or before the reservoir is fully charged, if I drive forward a little and then brake I can hear a sort of hoot or groan from the front when extra pressure comes on it from braking, or if I turn sharply to the right putting pressure on the left corner.

I'm still no further on with the dropping corner as I haven't had time to investigate, but this hoot or groaning sound was nothing more than the power steering requiring a top up.....

I noticed a slight sound sometimes after start up and occasionally under breaking or turning to the right, which was engine speed related, heard it one morning after start up, turned the steering wheel and it was slightly louder, level was just off the dipstick, quick top up and the noise has disappeared, haven't had a chance to have a good look for leaks but nothing very obvious.

I need to take a few days off to show my FF some love, been busy lately sorting out a Mitsubishi L200 limp mode problem for a friend which was driving me crazy but finally sorted.

I have been reading your column. Did you manage to find the fault and n the end as i now have the same problem 😱😭

It may not be relevant but I had one of the rears dropping and of course feared the worst but it turned out to be a faulty height sensor - replaced it and had no problems since  Geoff

Simran0211 wrote:

I have been reading your column. Did you manage to find the fault and n the end as i now have the same problem 😱😭

No, I never got it sorted but in fairness, I didn't really look at it too much either.

It's over a year now and it hasn't gotten any worse, of course it hasn't gotten any better either.......

TBH, I had expected something to have given up completely at this stage but it's all just still the same.

I was talking to an indie last week and I just happened to mention it to him and he seemed pretty sure it was the bag, realistically the only way of really knowing is to take it off, stick an airline on it, dunk it in a bath of water and look for bubbles but I just haven't had the time to do it.

I know it's eventually going to just let me down (no pun intended) and then I'll have to do something with it.

A bit like my sticky starter at the moment which requires a bit of a slap now and again to encourage it to come to life....

Sorry I haven't been more help and hope you get it sorted.

Ok thanks

sorry i know this is a old thread ..but ive got the same problem rear left corner dropping overnight ,have replaced airbag, stripped cleaned and replaced rubber seals in valve block ,tried soppy water still the same .......but didnt cross my mind that it could be a height sensor as i haven't got an error messages ,but going to replace height sensor and see what happens