Temporary Airspring Fix? Help!?!

[montaggio]

Well, good news is that I found the leaking rear airspring on my 01 Disco II. A very small pinhole in the bag. Ordered a new one today, but it will take a few days to come in. I do need the truck for a couple of days to get the kids back and forth to school while my wife is at work. Seems to me I read one time on this forum that you could do a temporary fix with tire sealant? Can anyone confirm this and advise how to do it? As much as I hate to have to change it out again in a few days, I do need the truck and my nerves can't handle that banging in the back end with a bad airspring! CAN ANYONE HELP ME GET THROUGH A COUPLE OF DAYS?

Another idea - I know where the pinhole is. Do you think I could soak an epoxy glue to that area to impregnate enough to seal it up?

[Thor]

Tire plug.... or hold your finger on it.

[Disco Mike]

Some people have tried tire sealant, works OK for the short term.
How did you order your replacement bag from and why one, should be done in pairs.
Mike

[Thor]

Originally Posted by Disco Mike

Some people have tried tire sealant, works OK for the short term.
How did you order your replacement bag from and why one, should be done in pairs.
Mike

Has to be a plug. I had 4 air bags in states of failure waiting for OME's to arrive.

[montaggio]

Okay. Patched the hole with a tire patch. It was a pretty small pinhole, so it makes sense that it wouldn't hold air. Now that it is back in, nothing happens. Start the truck up - I can hear the compressor running. Driver's side is fine, but passenger side still sitting all the way down. Doesn't even try to pump up.

My question is -what else? I'm starting to think air switch, since the compressor seems to work fine. Thinking of switching the lines from the two air switches to see if the problem transfers to the other side instead. Seem like a good idea? Any other ideas as to what the problem might be?

New air spring will be a few days still before it comes in, but now I'm starting to have second thoughts.

[salty]

rental car!

[Disco Mike]

Why are you making a big deal out of a leaking air bag?
Switching the lines isn't going to do anything except get your hands dirty. The pump is working so why mess with the dash switch, like they say if it's working why screw with it?
And back to my question eariler, why are you only replacing the one bag? How many miles on the truck and who's bag are you using?????
Mike

[montaggio]

Okay, here is an update as to what has happened. Didn't want to leave DiscoMike's questions hanging, but was deep into trying to get the darned thing to work.

I patched the pinhole with a bias tire patch kit, let it dry and reinstalled the old airspring. Once reinstalled, I started up the truck, but the corner would not lift. On / off a few times + a careful drive around the block and nothing lifting on that corner. I could hear the air compressor going, so I knew that was working. Now I'm starting to wonder if it is the air switch at the compressor, not allowing (or intermittently allowing) air to that corner.

Anyway, left it overnight. This morning started it up again and there was a bit of lift to that bad corner. By mid drive to school, both sides were level but low. By trip home, truck riding at regular height. I guess it just took awhile for the truck to figure its balance out.

With respect to replacing one - figured if the other was holding, why replace it. Also looking at changing over to a Strutmaster coil conversion, which sounds like the right move if I ever have to spend more money on the rear suspension system.

I tried to buy Arnott, but its been almost a month and they still haven't supplied me with a total cost to ship to Canada. Got fed up and ordered one from Atlantic British, who have always given excellent service to me. Not sure who the manufacturer is.

Truck has about 49000 miles on it (77000 km). Pinhole was in the area where the airspring folds over on itself at the bottom.

Incredibly easy changeout on the airsprings! Really boosted my confidence to work on the truck myself!

[roverwest]

I agree with Mike that they should be changed out in pairs. Same idea as changing brake pads, you do both sides not just one. If it's the money thing, I understand I've spent ALOT of money on parts in the last month and shipping always kills me (200 for full brake kit from NY to AK and that is ground).

My persuasion is this, I live where it gets -60 F , the air bags are nice and the SLS is great if you tow often, but they don't hold up in the cold. Coils are the way to go, the ride is just as good, in my opinion and I don't ever have to worry about them going out. Atleast not for a long time. You won't regret it once you make the switch.

[montaggio]

I'm not so sure its a money thing, although I don't want to spend it where it isn't warranted. Just that I don't see the similarity between lift in the rear (if it is even - which it should be) and brakes where you will definitely have differential pull. Maybe I'm wrong (and let me know if I am because if so I will definitely change out the other side right away as well - especially if it is a safety issue) but I don't see how two working airsprings can create an issue. Now if the argument is that if one is gone, the other is close behind, then I can't argue with that one. I would have a hard time not converting to coils if the other goes in the near future.

Any thoughts?

[roverwest]

I should have been clearer. In my case, one went out, and rather than risk the chance of the other one crapping out in the dead of winter, I went to coils and saved some money, and didn't have to worry about the other side crapping out.

Hopefully Mike can back me up on replacing as a set, my logic is the older one will be weaker and eventually give. I'm not sure if the height will differ from side to side, since it's controlled by air and has a sensor on each side, I want to say that they wouldn't differ. Hopefully someone else can back me up or let me know if I'm wrong.

That's my nickel worth

Chris