Why Do My Air Shocks Fail - What's Inside Air Shocks Cut Open
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- čas přidán 29. 08. 2024
- I had to find the problem of why my air shocks were losing air. I cut open a Land Rover LR3 air strut to find out how it works. I used an angle grinder to cut through the outer shell, then I just started to dismantle it all the way to the strut itself. My Landrover LR3 air suspension was leaking air from the front air shocks. So, I decided to investigate why my air struts were losing air throughout the night. After cutting open the shocks, I determined the struts had a hole in the inner lining of the air shock housing.
Land Rover air struts amzn.to/2hZT460
Angle grinder amzn.to/2Ol7EWk
My objective was to satisfy my curiosity and to find out how to remove the strut from the air housing assembly. I would like to change my rear shocks and reuse the existing airbags and just buy new struts.
What's Inside A Land Rover Strut - Learn How Air Shocks Work
Duuuude. Thanks so much for the complete dissection. Working on plans to fabricate an air suspension for my humvee and the LR4 rear bags are a really good option. Not quite the load capacity as concentric bags, but likely a smoother ride, 80% the load range, and a LOT less creating parts from thin air. I thought i would have to then build separate damper mounts off the control arms because the dampers with the LR4 bag are way too long, but youve shown me its possible to have enough range in the damper and treat it like a coilover. That way the air bag is a 70% solution, and ill only have to find dampers that will fit, rather than creating mounts PLUS finding dampers. Way better problem set! Thanks again!
Thanks man! That helped me a lot. I am from germany and I bought 2 bags for the front. But I only got the bags without the struts. So I had to assemble the new bags wich came with all the inner parts with the old struts. Your video helped me lot to reassemble all the parts. And as you showed it’s almost impossible to get the inner tube off the strut. So I cut the rubber to get the old bag off. For the 15mm nut near the motor I welded a flat bar on a nut and then it was possible to lose the nut from the wheel side. I have the Range Rover Sport 2012 and this nut can’t be loosen from the motor side due to the frame of the chassis is disturbing. Even if you use a joint. No space… so: thanks a lot man!
That's very impressive. Thanks for explaining it in such detail. You have a nice day
Ahhh my brain can rest now that it knows what's inside those! :) thanks brother!
Thank You for this breakdown & effort. Even though it was a year ago it still is more help to me in deciding on parts and repair options. Especially as a DIY vs Shop repair.
Currently have two wearing out. One on the front driver side and the other on the rear passenger.
Not quite there yet but have been really curious as well.
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 for taking the time to investigate and fulfill our curious ingenuity!
Thanks for watching and I expecially thank you for leaving your comment. Enjoy the rest of your day.
i dont mean to be off topic but does any of you know of a tool to log back into an Instagram account..?
I stupidly lost my account password. I appreciate any help you can give me.
@Keenan Malcolm instablaster =)
@Prince Caden thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site thru google and im waiting for the hacking stuff atm.
Looks like it's gonna take quite some time so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
@Prince Caden it worked and I finally got access to my account again. Im so happy:D
Thank you so much, you really help me out :D
Good video showed many approaches to describe the innards, which is needed in light of the difficulty in filming this with non-professional equipment. Finally started to get the nomenclature correct near the end ("bump-stop" instead of "rubber bounce thingy"). Knew the importance of describing pneumatic management so he showed both exterior and interior of the shock for the air orifice, which was useful...
Thank you for this. I have a Range Rover Sport L320 that we have replaced every bush a tie rod rubber on and it still “knocks”on the left hand side. We are convinced that the actual cause is the Strut within Air Suspension. It is great to see what is inside the whole assembly. However, having seen exactly what is inside including all those rubber bushes and seals, rather than just replace the strut, it is going to be easier and cheaper labour wise, just to replace the entire Air Shock assembly complete.
At least I won’t be wasting any more time in trying to fix the old one!
Recently watched your video on changing the front air struts and it was very helpful when we changed mine .
Only problem was afterwards the Disco still wouldn't rise and after a bit of rummaging I found the FBH exhaust had broken up and melted the airline .
Ho hum , at least I have new front struts now , just have to repair the airline and replace the exhaust.
You have three fuses that control the discovery rising or not. Plus your valve blocks have a lot to do with it rising. One of those is probably your problem.
Extremely thorough and well crafted, just what I needed!!
I'm out here in Lusaka, Zambia :D I'm now so going to swap my bags with coil springs. You're a life saver man!!!
No way
Yup Im buying the set. You totally just talked me out out of just replacing my leaking strut bag. Great video, although I was hoping for a different outcome.
I think that is a good idea.
hey Mr Oxman, greetings from Mexico, I've been watching your videos becouse I'm trying to buy an used 07 LR3, now I know much of the maintenance can be made by me. Thaks for the info in your videos.
By the way, here in Mexico we always try to find new solutions to make things work. In the case of compresor fail (very expensive), you can install a three way brass connector, a piece of brass pipe and a fill connector (around 5 USD) after the compressor regulating valve (valve block as you call it), attach it to the plastic cover and you can fill the air struts with a regular pump or air compressor. This will work until you have enough money to buy the new compressor.
@@joseluisaltamirano6068 I appreciate you for taking the time to leave me a comment. Thanks for watching and for the tip.
BRILLIANT AS USUAL, thinking of getting the Disco 3 and you making my decision a little easier bit less scary knowing what's going on under the vehicle,. Great videos, thanks!!
Wow, I appreciate the compliment and also the support. I understand the feelings toward the Rovers and that is why I made the videos. Thanks again and if you get one let me know how you like it.
Thankyou for doing all that work:) 2005 LR3
:)
Thank you so much for this video
I just acquired a Mercedes E320 2005
And one of the front strut is leaking.
With your very insightful video I think I can rebuild it with spending so much on a new one.
Next is to research where to buy the kits to rebuild the strut cos the airbag itself is okay
You're welcome and let me know how it turns out. Thanks for watching.
W211 struts are fascinating to me because they have a valve module with two solenoids at the top. It is very strongly seaded in the cylinder with retaining protrusions that require rotating the module before trying to remove it (silicon based lunricant is recommended on the Russian sites). Even then, I had a difficult time gettimg the module out of the cylinder. Clearly there are repair kits and components for same but I question whether one may need special fixtures to finish the rebuild properly. Did you have any success with your proposed project?
Hi Oxman. Your vids on the LR3 are great! Thinking of getting one and all everyone ever talks about is how expensive to maintain they are and and and... I'm down here in South Africa. Thanks for making the decision to go for the car a lot less scary.
WOW BRO THANKS FOR THAT IAM A INDIAN DESIGN STUDENT IT WAS VERY WELL FOR UNDERSTANDING AIR BAG OVER THE STRUT I WILL READ MANY RESEARCH PAPER BUT IT NOT MENTION U ARE AWSOM BRO THANK A LOT
You're going to do great in school with your work ethic. Thanks for watching and I'm glad I can help
Always wondered what was inside the shock. Thanks for showing us!
That's awesome dude, I'm glad to see I'm not the only one that would go through that much trouble how everything works
Thanks for watching.
You can buy the bag assembly separately, so if the bag is bad but the shock is good just change the bag. There is a youtube video on how it’s done.
Excellent deconstruction!
Thanks for sharing.
Nice teardown. Great.
Very helpful to understand the sealing of the air chamber 👍
thank you for your hard work ,man that is a lot of Oring.
That's the same thing I thought. Thanks for watching appreciate your comment.
Thk u for the effort. It would be good if u have videos on how to convert coilovers struts to air suspensions like yours. You have any idea how to do it? Any kits out there to use?
Thank you so much - awesome video!
Dude you’re awesome. Great video on this. I’ve been dying to know what’s inside that metal shield for years
Subbed because you wasn't afraid to get those hands dirty just to know how shit works. :)
Bro.....i soooo wish i could live next door to you. You make it all so simple : ) 06 LR3
I appreciate your comment and thanks for watching.
Excellent video
Thank you very much!
As always, brilliant presentation! Some serious engineering in these struts.
I agree, I was very impressed with the build quality and the engineering it took to make them last so long. Thanks for watching and I appreciate you as always.
Great video very informative
Awesome video my friend,I have three of those shocks from my jags in my garage and always wanted to repair them,now I know
Two thoughts, one I cannot believe how large the air shocks in the Land Rover are, easily twice the size of the Gabriel air shocks on my Cherokee. Second, an excellent video, very well photographed and narrated.
I felt the same way as soon as I saw them because I used to own a Suburban and a Cadillac Escalade. These things are huge. I appreciate the comment and thanks for watching.
you are a good man
Nicely done! I’m suspecting my 2012 Audi A8 new Arronott struts on the front are defective based on the strut mount noise. Will by oem -Audi. What are you thoughts?
You have convinced me to buy an Lr3!!!!
Thanks to you I saw what exactly is in my shock absorber. Simple construction. Thanks
Arek Thanks for watching.
dude! exactly the video I've been looking for! Thank you!
I wonder if the bags or orings fail more often and where to get orings.
Hi thanks for your video, I have a 2006 LR3 in Central America, the airbag on one of the shocks tore due to the rough roads here. So I wanted to change from air to coil. I ordered what I thought was a complete set of coils and struts, however I only received the coils. Do you know if i can reuse the old struts from inside the air canister? Thanks
Cool buddy , was hoping after you try now on one you not cut up.
I have rrsport 2006, they changed the transparent hydraulic steering oil, its maneuver seems a little harder to me, before I had one like red color, I could use atf for the steering
Excellent video, very informative.
For rear you have to buy O rings and spacers to reinstall air bags, new O rings and spacers are cheap, why not new is good for all the work one has to do. There is YT video on how to install new O rings Old bags.
Thank you Man !! Much Appreciated ! this is a Very common problem in newer cars that has not been yet perfected. You have earned a Subscription from me. Look forward to more.
I really appreciate you. Thanks for letting me know that you enjoyed the video and again I appreciate your support. You have a blessed day.
Thanks for you.
Thanks
A few questions.
Without any obvious signs of leakage, etc. Did you ride improve significantly after just doing the air struts? How many miles between changes did you have?
Did you go in for a complete suspension overhaul, bushings, tie rods, ball joints, hub bearing, etc? Or just the struts?
I have a 2005 LR3 just bought with 110k only on it. It needs suspension overhaul. The car is listing and wheel shakes at 20-40 mph.
I am unsure if I need to change the air struts. As you said, you just can't see them leaking. They look original on my vehicle. I was unaware if they were more truck air spring or normal strut/bag combo. Your video answered that question.
So I am guessing I will change them out too.
First off, thanks for watching. All I did was change the air struts and yes the ride improved. I change the struts after 120 plus thousand miles . If your car is shaking you might want to look at getting your tires balanced first because that's the cheapest, then I would look into your tie rods or getting a will announce. But, to answer your original question yes I did notice a Improvement in the ride and when I went over bumps.
thanks man
Superb, this is priceless information given by oxman yet again!!!
I just love your comments, thanks.
it's well engineered, that's why this generation has not many issues. Mine has 180k and no leaks.
But ya, one of the struts is leaking oil. So amazing, air is still holding.
You are awesome, great work! Thanks for sharing!
I appreciate the comment and thank you for watching.
Gracias ati yo supe como armar y desarmar gracias my brother
Hello again. When either lower or upper control arms are replaced, does one need to let the air out of the EAS system? Thanks again for your time and patience.
Steve Shih on the lower yes and on the uppers I need to check but I think it's just a good idea because the struts are attached to the control arms. But I will look in the morning and let you know for sure or not.
I Love watching you. LOL...
Best comment ever. I thank you so much.
@@oxmanagain No problem...LOL...will say it as many times as you would like to hear it.😊😁
Awesome video thanks
Great video - very informative. Thanks
Very informative. I'm about to replace my two front struts. Your video helped me to understand it better. Do you recommend buying cheap one on Ebay for $150 or better one on Amazon for $250?
I try to spend the most I can on parts. It the same process so you might as well buy the best you can.
The cheapest parts usually are crappy
Thanks for doing that and posting the video. I too have been curious about what the hell is inside these big expensive air struts. I have a Lexus with a leaking air strut.... take it to the dealer... they want $4800 to change just the front two!
Wow thats a lot. I made another video on changing the front struts, maybe they are similar. Thanks for watching.
As of now, I'm trying to sell the car for the same price as the dealer price for the front shocks, $4800. But if I don't sell I'm thinking about a conversion to regular for about $2000 (all 4).
If you do the conversion let me know how you like the ride.
Sold it for $4400. One of the few cars I was really sad to see go.
Oh, I see.
Thanks to show it was very useful
great video!
I have a Mazda Peak 2002 model intended for passengers only (without heavy luggage loading). What is the most comfortable type of shock absorbent for passengers that you recommend? Is it oil, gas, oil, gas, or air?
Nothing rides as nice as air shocks do.
@@oxmanagain Thank you so much
Awesome video.
Great and informative vid, I had been wondering what was in there too, now I know....
Haha, I see you where curious also. Thanks for watching and you're welcome.
Much appreciated, thanks! But I have a little question, did you end up replacing the whole thing or just the struts on the back end?
After seeing what was inside. I decided to replace the whole thing. It seemed like the easier way to go.
So looking at that assembly when the car is in " vehicle access mode " is the air bag is completely exhausted of air ?
At least 80-90% of the air is not in the bag.
@@oxmanagain Many thanks for that fella because I have been told the car rested on the bump stops when in access mode but that cannot be then ? Love you videos clear and precise.I live in the Uk and have the diesel D4 .
Great stuff and well done for sticking with it :)
Definitely worth a thumbs up
Thanks for watching and I appreciate the support.
Nice work
Great video!
Its just as normal to just change the bag. Not the strut. They pritty much never fail because They are sealed in. Way cheaper.
Thanks for risking your life for this video, Dude! :)
well done sir.I was curious too.
Haha not just me. Thanks for watching.
Ahoj, pěkná a odborná práce kamaráde :-) a co kalibrace - nastavení vzduchového podvozku - lift pro montáž 32" kol, nepůjdeš tímto směrem?
Ahoj a dobré ráno. Líbí se mi dělat všechno s Roverem. Žena a já jdeme na nákupy, jdu na terénní dráze, přetahám věci a lidi kolem. Takže, chtěla jsem to udržet na skladě z těchto důvodů. Děkuji za pozornost, za pár dní vám pošlu nějaké fotky, které by vás mohly zajímat. Měj hezký den.
Ahoj a dobrý večer, budu se těšit na fotografie :-) přeji hezký den tobě a tvé ženě. Martin
Awesome video. Thanks
You're welcome and thanks for watching.
Great video my friend. I just took my Lr4 2011 (with 39k on the clock) to the garage and they tested the air suspension. No fault found. Tell me, is the strutt a gas strutt within the airbag? Reason I ask is that the ride on my discovery is terrible, I can feel every ripple in the road. This could explain the bad ride if the gas strutt has gone faulty. Many thanks from the UK.
First off thanks for watching. Yes they are gas field. Before I changed mine the ride was a little bumpy. The entire suspension system consists of bushings, shocks and ball joints. Most likely changing your shocks will restore the ride. The shock is a combination of an airbag with a shock in it. So the shock can go out and or the airbag can go out. So when you took it to the dealer they were just checking to see if you had any faults in the airbag suspension system, is that correct?
Thanks for that very quick reply. Appreciated. Yes, they confirmed that the airbag suspension was working fine. The compressor and blocks show no leaks. Still, I can feel every little bump in the road at Normal height setting.
How many miles do you have on your Lr4? And, if you need to change them I made a video that might help you out. I noticed a much nicer ride after I put on new sturts. czcams.com/video/MKewfwiQbbg/video.html
I have a UK Spec Discovery 4 SDV6 and it has done 39K miles. I can feel every little bump in the road recently.
I do love your enthusiasm :)
However, removing and replacing the gas damper on its own is not possible without specialist equipment will be practically impossible even if you can buy them separately.
You have a great garage but you really need a work branch and vice to be safe.
Talking of safety - cannot see if that grinding disc was a general grinding disc or a cutting disc? If it was a cutting disc NEVER EVER use it at an angle ONLY use it for slitting. I have seen so many shatter and it is lethal.
Keep up the good work :)
Matt Harrison This is what I love about CZcams, we all get to help each other. I appreciate the advice and thanks for watching. I will definitely keep the grinding disc in mind.
you can replace them and shocks have been available for years, its not hard and requires no special tools just knowledge. you obviously know nothing of what you are talking about.
This rubber have cord reinforced?
Would part of the rubber housing are you referring to?
Oxman, love your videos. My dad and I each own 06 LR3 HSE.his is black, mines white. I'm curious what are you by trade? And looks like you are in or around Cali, nevada, new Mexico?
Christian Cali and I just like to learn all I can. You and your dad that is cool.
How about video of replacing strut back again . ..?
How about just put some slime in it and refill with air to the manufacturer pressure?
Hold shock up side down tap bottom of air bag ring with hammer. Air bag will fall off. only work in out after watching this video.
Hey Brother, thanks for the vid, I've wondered about the strut myself, now that you have taken it apart, any idea how much high travel you could get with adjustable lift rods? I'm just about to head out to the garage today and start investigating what the maximum height I can get w/o over extending the bags.
p.s., no break dancing (2:30) w/o your Hammer Pants on.
Haha that's funny. After looking at them I see why you can use the Johnson rods to extend roughly 2 in. After that I would say you might want to go and get a different type of strut but from what I saw two inch shoul be the max.
Anyone know if swapping to coil cancels the 4x4 . Because that’s the only reason i got it
Switching to coil doesn't cancel your 4x4.
Im sorry Im confused .. are you trying to salvage the air bag on your rear suspension and use old front shocks with rear air bags ?
No, I wanted to know how to take the strut out of the airbag housing and just replace the strut. Because you can just purchase the strut separately.
oxmanagain do you have a video where you’ve done that ?
Thank you by the way ! I enjoy your videos.
No, not yet, my rear struts are still good. I appreciate the support.
Was it any dirt on outside part of airbag inside top fold where it bends from the top to the bottom?
There is dust protector on rear shock from the factory installed.
It's an option available for the front sturts. So I thinking about install them for the extra protection.
There were some signs of a little so I see your point. But, I have been off-roading for a while now so that might have something to do with the little dirt. Thanks for watching.
oxmanagain Can you plese tell briefly - which areas of airbag rubber have most wear signs?
Fedor Lejepekov After looking over the airbag I would say the part that comes from underneath the shield has the most wear and tear. When I replaced mine I had a leak coming out from right above where the airbag comes out when you raise the suspension. That makes sense to me because that gets exposed to dirt and debris plus it's rubbing up and down over the years.
oxmanagain thanks for the responce, will clean it oftener).
Very very good. Nice
It was interesting to see what was inside, thanks for watching I appreciate your time.
@@oxmanagain Yss i am interesting
Thanks
Hi, how are you? thanks for all your videos, what year is your lr3? i want to buying 2007 with 170k milles, what do you think about it?
Thank you!!!
DanielAcosta07 First off thanks for the support. I have a 2008 with 150k. The engine and transmission they still run like there's nothing wrong with them but, other little things are starting to need repair. Such as as, the struts, bushings, brakes, oxygen sensors. You know just general maintenance. So, if you're going to get one with a 170k Miles I would definitely check the Carfax and get a good feel for the vehicle. And, like I've told many other people. Go and test drive some that have low miles and compare them with ones that have high miles. You can get a good feel for how it should be. You can ask as many questions as you like, it does not bother me one bit. Tell you the truth, I enjoy giving somebody information I wish I could have recieved from somebody.
thank it was great
You're welcome and thanks for watching.
Thanks for the video. How did you work out that the shocks needed replacing? Were they leaking?
You're welcome and thanks for watching. The passenger side had a slow leak and everyday in the morning the LR would be in access height. After replacing them the problem was resolved.
@@oxmanagain How did you find the leak?
I used soapy water and sprayed it on the airbags and I got real close to see if I could hear any air coming out.
@@oxmanagain Okay thanks. I'm a bit confused though. Did you replace the rubber bag, the o-rings, or the actual metal shock?
@@amana1480 I replaced everything I just bought new air struts and everything.
Cool thanks for making a great video!
You're welcome and thanks for watching.
What will your next video be about?
I believe my new A/T tires for the Rover with drone footage driving.
looks like you could just put coil springs on that strut and save a $!!* ton of money
Very good jobs, sr I have question I replace my too but now have air compressor filing slowly, and have the yellow warning lights. help please
Does the yellow warning light come on all the time? Does it stay on or does it turn off?
After turn on the vehicle after 40 sec come on and still on say compressor filing slowly
Did it do this before you changed your sturts?
Yes before replace the suspension, because every morning rear left side in very low , but now the compresor make alot noise in not raising
Same problem I'm having. Did you get it fixed ? @john berry
OXistheMAN!
Thanks
This is part that pricey air suspension. When a time is come your SUV air suspension replacement cost will kill you few thousands dollar.
They are pretty expensive you are right. That's why I made a video on replacing them on my Land Rover lr3 and it cost me less than $1,000
Surely there must be a company that rebuilds them on the cheap :o ?
I imagine there is a company that makes less expensive ones, I was just so curious to find out how it worked.
Arnott sells a decent quality replacement strut with a lifetime warranty at a pretty good price but I only recommend them for on-road use or light duty off-road use. I've snapped a two of them in heavy off-road use. A warranty doesn't help when you're stuck on a trail somewhere swapping in a replacement part. I've found almost all aftermarket parts are inferior to the OEM (axles, struts, driveshaft, etc) and not up to heavy off-road use. I've broken aftermarket examples of all of them wheeling.
Don Happel Good to know. For now on oem is the way to go.
HELP! I couldn’t find your email so writing on here, unrelated to this video but...
Just had the air suspension fixed and it was working great. I had a lose battery terminal and started getting a “C1131 Air Supply” fault and rear is dropped.
Checked everything and it’s not leaking and seems to be working right.
I was told it’s the steering sensor and if I clear the code and recalibrate it by turning it right to left after clearing code and directly after starting it it will fix it.
Have you ever delt with this before?
Also I don’t have a code reader yet so was going to buy the IID tool.
Any help very appreciated!!!
I will do some research for you.
oxmanagain I just ordered to IID tool from lucky 8 and spoke with Erick up there about this issue and he said no the the steering sensor is not the issue. I will know whats up on Wednesday when I get my IID tool. Do you us it?
I bought the iid tool yesterday too n hoping it arrives soon!!!
oxmanagain well I’m stuck 8hrs from home so got some info on cutting hose to valve blocks and installing quick connects with Schumer valves to air up suspension manually so I can get it home.
Oo
I’m going to convert mine to coils.
we wont to see to to install new strut in airbag
Muadh al wahibi When I buy the strut I will make that video. Thanks for watching.
becouse i see in website u can bay only airbads if ur strut good
I saw the same thing and that is what gave me the idea to make the video.
Pull out game is weak lol 🙃😉