lots of them on ebay now around £120-£130 but they are only for cars up to 2009. mine is 2010 with continuously variable damping so technically not compatible (£400+ for genuine ones!). but - what would be the implications of fitting them anyway?

if i understand the way that the cv system works, the ecu provides a PWM signal to operate a secondary adjustable orifice within the damper.

the system must be failsafe and in the 'fail' mode of the system the damper would revert to non-variable mode (= those on ebay)

possibly, the cv damper has a smaller primary (non-adjustable) hole than the non-cv damper (thus making it heavy damping in the "fail" mode) and a partial opening of the secondary hole by the PWM signal makes the cv damper rate comparable with the non-cv damper?

any info apprecaietd.

ok - just got an answer to my question directly from a very helpful chap at bilstien no less!

the control module receives input signals (i assume from the height sensors) and modulates the damping accordingly by varying the pulse width of the PWM signal to the dampers.

apparently, the firm setting for the variable damper (or no signal / fault condition) is close to the (only) setting for the non-adjustable ones.

just need to connect a resistor to the wires which supply the damper coil to prevent the system sensing a fault and throwing a code.

I really wouldn't do this - you are trying to fit safety critical components that aren't designed for your car.

I don't think many here would recommend fitting the poor quality struts you're looking at on here even if they were for your car, so fitting to vehicles they're not designed for seems to be madness to me. I understand we all like a bargain and doing everything possible ourselves, but I think there's a thin line between that, and trying to maintain what was a £60-70k car on a shoestring

I've actually no idea why you would want to do this if I'm honest.

Have you got a burst airbag? If so, can you not just replace the airbag and use the original strut ?

Failing that, it might be worth tracking down some 2nd hand units. It's been mentioned on here several times before that the cheap ebay struts just aren't worth buying.

I'd do a quick search if I were you.

Guys. before we jump on the 'who did what to whom' bandwagon. Look at all the old classics on coils. P38s etc, May be worth a thought??

Worth exploring the concept of fitting standard OEM struts and bags (Delphi) to a car with adaptive damping, if it can be done safely (e.g. fooling the ECUs that all is OK). Earlier L322's coped without it ? Still a saving of +£200 per side.

Everyone seems happy to blank their EGRs, break the law, kill the planet.....  .
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

If you think that a non-energised CVD exhibits similar damping characteristics to a good non-CVD genuine damper then disconnect 1 front electrical connector as a test. I did this and considered that the ride was excessively firm, not at all like non-CVD dampers.

Fitting a pair of non-CVDs to the front and fooling the ecu while CVDs are still fitted to the rear will affect steering when pushed through corners as the front will be tending to lean while the rear trying to stay flat.

IMO, if you don't like the cost of CVDs then replace them all with standard dampers but you will loose the vastly improved ride and handling of the CVDs. Also disable CVDs in the CCF to prevent the instrument cluster fault display.

Paul thornton wrote:

I've actually no idea why you would want to do this if I'm honest.

Have you got a burst airbag? If so, can you not just replace the airbag and use the original strut ?

Failing that, it might be worth tracking down some 2nd hand units. It's been mentioned on here several times before that the cheap ebay struts just aren't worth buying.

I'd do a quick search if I were you.

Didn't clunk before Indy worked on it and now it does? Take it back to the Indy! Bish.

2005 110 TD5 CSW
2011 TDV8 Vogue SE (gone)

"Didn't clunk before Indy worked on it and now it does? Take it back to the Indy!"

its been back once and, whilst he witnessed the noise, couldn't identify the source. It's going back again tomorrow for a more indepth investigation. My post was to try and elicit any information about what damage could have been incurred when the parts were fitted in case they try to deny all responsibility.

anyway, its a clonk not a clunk!

Just to say...my air springs are original, ten years old and on 145k miles and appear ro be fine...original compressor too.. so yours may have plenty of life left in it yet!