Air strut / air spring / shock advice

2013 L405 Range Rover 5.0SC with 175,000 Km.

Before I spend $$$ on new front struts, rear shocks, and rear airbags (could maybe skip rear bags) does anyone have any advice to test if the dampening properties are gone?

I know the OEM method is to remove the front struts, turn them upside down, and see if oil leaks out the air line hole. Rear shock would be similar in removing and seeing how easily they compress.

I am trying to keep from removing the struts and shocks, finding them faulty, reinstalling them, ordering and waiting for parts to arrive. Ordering before, not needing them, and sending them back is a waste of money.

None of my airbags are leaking or lose air overnight. The vehicle doesn’t seem planted on anything but smooth pavement. Lots of ‘pinging’ and ‘clunks’ over loose, broken, or uneven pavement.

I have already replaced the:

Front and rear sway bar bushings
Front and rear sway bar end links
Front lower forward control arms
Front lower rearward control arms
Engine mounts Dan. 🇨🇦 2013 L405 5.0 SCV8

I swapped over to my 20” all-terrains from the 22” summers. That helped with tires noise (not a problem) but didn’t do much for the suspension noise.

I ordered two OEM BWI struts from Island 4x4 and replacement hardware from JLR. More to come… Dan. 🇨🇦 2013 L405 5.0 SCV8

It’s been a while since this thread and I thought I would update.

Ordered two BWI struts from Island 4x4. One arrived and I installed it. Seemed better.

The second one took several weeks to arrive and was damaged in shipping. Island 4x4 would not respond and FedEx would only speak to the shipper. Credit card dispute made and several months later I finally got the charge reversed.

Fast forward to two weeks ago. Front end still feeling wobbly as only one strut replaced. I ordered a new one from LR Parts. Arrived in a few days and installed quickly. Front end wobbles and noises instantly gone. The noise when turning slowly under suspension load is gone. Perhaps the upper mount bearing was shot too. The original wasn’t leaking, but tired. Sometimes the front left corner would go down a little overnight.

I also replaced the compressor filter. The old one was a little plugged. The new one has a factory hole in the tip.

Everything is holding air properly now, but the rear end feels a little crash over bumps and manhole covers. Two new shocks need ordering.

Again, nothing is leaking oil, but after 181,000 km on the original shocks/struts, time for a refresh. Dan. 🇨🇦 2013 L405 5.0 SCV8

Last edited by Bora20 on 1st Sep 2024 3:20pm. Edited 1 time in total

Good work