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REPLACEMENT OF LEFT FRONT AIR STRUT ASSEMBLY...
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DJAtkinson
 


Member Since: 16 Apr 2018
Location: Grapevine, TX
Posts: 15

United States 2006 LR3 4.4 V8 HSE Auto Java BlackLR3
REPLACEMENT OF LEFT FRONT AIR STRUT ASSEMBLY...

Are there threads showing how this is done? I saw an online video showing this; it looked like the first time for him, with a few surprises!

I would tackle this myself, if it didn't take all day and a boatload of cussing!

I had my right front strut replaced about 6 months ago; it costed about $1000. The part is on sale at British Atlantic for about $300. Is it a reasonable DIY???

Thanks in advance!!!
  
Post #202072621st Jan 2019 4:46 am
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SpiderBaby
D3 Decade 


Member Since: 21 Sep 2007
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 1396

England 2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto Zermatt SilverDiscovery 3

I changed all four of mine in a day taking my time and stopping for plenty of tea & pee breaks.

IIRC the hardest part was releasing the airline feed (12mm again IIRC) - I just cut an old 12mm spanner down to fit in the small gap.

I didn't have any specialist equipment and de-pressurised the struts by very slowly undoing the airline feed.

A set of flexi-head ratchet spanners would help with the top nuts but I just took my time and used a normal wrench.

Pretty sure there'll be a guide somewhere on here.
 I see no ships........  
Post #202077521st Jan 2019 11:13 am
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DJAtkinson
 


Member Since: 16 Apr 2018
Location: Grapevine, TX
Posts: 15

United States 2006 LR3 4.4 V8 HSE Auto Java BlackLR3

Thanks, Spider!

You seem to have the patience for the job. Did you have to re-calibrate the system, or is there a certain way to return the air system back to normal???

Dan
  
Post #202088321st Jan 2019 6:33 pm
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sputnixb51
 


Member Since: 23 Apr 2013
Location: Morayshire
Posts: 833

Scotland 2014 Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 SE Tech Auto Corris GreyDiscovery 4

You are not changing the suspension geometry by removing the strut or shouldn’t be. So when you have a new one back in and start up it will just inflate and hopefully have sorted your original problem.
  
Post #202088521st Jan 2019 6:39 pm
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DJAtkinson
 


Member Since: 16 Apr 2018
Location: Grapevine, TX
Posts: 15

United States 2006 LR3 4.4 V8 HSE Auto Java BlackLR3

Thanks, Sputnix!

I saw another video from Britparts. I've gotten some chassis fasteners from them, but don't have any experience with them. Have their videos been helpful for others???

Dan
  
Post #202089021st Jan 2019 7:23 pm
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SpiderBaby
D3 Decade 


Member Since: 21 Sep 2007
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 1396

England 2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto Zermatt SilverDiscovery 3

I didn't need to recalibrate and simply let the compressor do its job once I'd finished. It really is quite straight forward.

I've looked through some of the Britpart and Atlantic British (and other) videos. They are all helpful - even (especially?) the ones where they get things wrong - they help you avoid the same mistakes.

Thumbs Up
 I see no ships........  
Post #202093121st Jan 2019 9:00 pm
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DJAtkinson
 


Member Since: 16 Apr 2018
Location: Grapevine, TX
Posts: 15

United States 2006 LR3 4.4 V8 HSE Auto Java BlackLR3

Agreed!

There were a couple of videos that showed releasing air from the valve block (located in the front right wheel well) before removing the strut(s). I didn't see that in the Brit Parts video. Could this be done slowly from the strut itself, or is it necessary to do it at the valve block?

Dan
  
Post #202119822nd Jan 2019 6:56 pm
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SpiderBaby
D3 Decade 


Member Since: 21 Sep 2007
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 1396

England 2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto Zermatt SilverDiscovery 3

I did mine by slowly releasing the air feed pipe (green pipe IIRC) - this is where I needed a stubby (aka cut down...) 12mm spanner.

It's a bit of a slow job - but while it was de pressurising I had a brew Thumbs Up

Make sure you clean any muck off the top and around the air line - no sense in giving dirt a chance to get anywhere it shouldn't.
 I see no ships........  
Post #202142523rd Jan 2019 12:20 pm
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DJAtkinson
 


Member Since: 16 Apr 2018
Location: Grapevine, TX
Posts: 15

United States 2006 LR3 4.4 V8 HSE Auto Java BlackLR3

Thanks, SpiderBaby!

I appreciate your insights, in addition to the brewski!! 8)

Dan
  
Post #202194424th Jan 2019 6:22 pm
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yogi972
 


Member Since: 05 Jun 2011
Location: Kineton
Posts: 3372

United Kingdom 2010 Discovery 4 3.0 TDV6 HSE Auto Alaska WhiteDiscovery 4

Don’t be worrying
Just take it a step at a time it’s pretty self explanatory as you go along

One big nut & bolt
3small fiddlers
One air pipe which just pushes in

Done all four in a morning Thumbs Up
  
Post #202197424th Jan 2019 7:12 pm
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DJAtkinson
 


Member Since: 16 Apr 2018
Location: Grapevine, TX
Posts: 15

United States 2006 LR3 4.4 V8 HSE Auto Java BlackLR3

NICE!!! 8)

The strut is on it's way! Wink
  
Post #202198124th Jan 2019 7:18 pm
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yogi972
 


Member Since: 05 Jun 2011
Location: Kineton
Posts: 3372

United Kingdom 2010 Discovery 4 3.0 TDV6 HSE Auto Alaska WhiteDiscovery 4

You’ll be fine

Thumbs Up
  
Post #202198724th Jan 2019 7:32 pm
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DJAtkinson
 


Member Since: 16 Apr 2018
Location: Grapevine, TX
Posts: 15

United States 2006 LR3 4.4 V8 HSE Auto Java BlackLR3

Just an update on my project:

I've noticed that 'projects' posted on U-tube seem to be a lot easier than they are in reality!

A few of the 'real world' challenges that I experienced (maybe my LR3 is unique??)
--One U-tube poster suggested relieving the air from the valve block under the passenger-side wheel well cover. It was a bit more involved than 'just a few little screws'. Depending on how much room you need to access the valve block, you'll need to pop out (and get replacements for) the fasteners that are used to secure and tighten the wheel well cover.
--This same poster suggested removing the heat shield above the strut to get better access to the 15mm nut closest to the engine, which is very hard to access. This is a helpful hint. However, I lost my grip on the nut, and it fell somewhere into the frame, never to be found again!
--The most difficult part came when I had to re-connect the air line to the strut. The line had a bend in it, which complicated an already difficult access. I finally resolved to cut the portion that was curved, so that I wasn't simultaneously trying to straighten it and insert it. There was no direct vision, and this was done by feel only. I had to pry away the wheel well cover on this side also, to access the air line, and remove it from the clip that holds it in place, in order to give me a little more length to work with.

In summary, I can understand why people have shops do this. In my case, it just seems like there's always that unexpected thing or two that presents itself to me... Rolling Eyes
  
Post #202936417th Feb 2019 12:45 pm
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