How to replace an air spring - pictures

<span>Insert an axle stand under the appropriate chassis leg. I used two for safety, but it can confuse the system on re-inflation later.</span>

<span>Jack up the front wheel, and remove the road wheel. We’ll need the jack to alter the axle height at various points of the job.</span>

<span>Locate the EAS diagnostic socket, which is under the driver’s seat behind a kick plate. Fire up the PC, or your diagnostic tool.</span>

<span>Open the software, plug in the diagnostic lead, and switch the ignition to position ‘II’ which puts power to the EAS Electronic Control Unit (ECU).</span>

<span>Establish a link to the vehicle via the software, and you should then hear the relays in the dashboard click, confirming it is successful.</span>

<span>The EAS Unlock Suite enables you to just depressurise the springs. A countdown timer tells you when it is done. Then turn off the ignition.</span>

<span>The vehicle will now be right down onto the bump stops at the rear, but the fronts will still hold some air, as they are raised off the bump stops.</span>

To reduce any residual pressure, lower the axle a little, thus deflating the air spring. I painted my damper to illustrate the difference.

<span>Wearing eye protection, use an 8 mm spanner to push on the air pipe collet, and release the air pipe. Be ready for residual air to be released.</span>

<span>Using a small, flat bladed screwdriver, prise out the spring retaining clips – there are two at the top, and two at the bottom.</span>

<span>Remove the air spring assembly by squeezing the rubber, lifting out the lower end, then carefully sliding the top down between the brake flexi hoses.</span>

<span>DETACHING THE OLD RUBBER SLEEVE: Holding the flange of the lower piston in a vice, prise the rubber sleeve off the piston using a tyre lever, without damaging the soft aluminium.</span>

<span>It will suddenly pop off. Note the small fitting lip on the edge of the piston. If you did damage this, you’ll need to source another one.</span>

<span>It is the same story at the opposite end to remove the top plate. Carefully lever off the edge of the rubber sleeve – a gentle pull will help.</span>

<span>Clean off any old rubber, road grime or dirt from both of the mounting faces. Inspect them carefully for damage that might prevent an airtight seal.</span>

<span>REBUILDING THE AIR SPRING ASSEMBLY: The new rubber sleeve is a tight fit. Silicone spray was used to lubricate it, but not too much to leave moisture in the air system later.</span>

<span>Start with the top plate, fitting the rubber sleeve on diagonally to start with. Carefully ease it fully on, rotating it a little, and it should pop on.</span>

<span>Before fitting the lower piston, make sure the mounting pegs are in line between top and bottom. Place some marks on the rubber sleeve, if needed.</span>

<span>Set the lower piston in a vice but, before tightening, add wood packing to prevent damage the jaws. Lightly lubricate with silicone spray.</span>

<span>You’ll need plenty of force. The top plate may need to be supported while you pull the rubber sleeve down onto the piston.</span>

<span>Carefully check the locating pegs are in line. If not, the spring may twist as it inflates, which should be avoided at all costs.</span>

<span>Refit the completed air spring assembly into the vehicle, checking it is fully seated. Now replace the four retaining clips, using new items.</span>

<span>Refit the air feed pipe to its connector in the top plate – simply push it into the collet, then gently pull it outward again to tighten the fixing.</span>

<span>RE-COMMISSIONING THE SYSTEM: Start the vehicle – the spring will slowly inflate. It will only reach the required volume with the wheel off. Lowering the axle will help.</span>

<span>Refit the wheel, then remove the axle stand and the jack. The bag should inflate fully, and look like this (wheel is off here only for photo).</span>

<span>Run the EAS system through the different height settings to check the system operation. Then road test the vehicle with initial caution.</span>

<span>Looking back, the old air bags had clearly distorted. The new ones are more supple and have reinstated the legendary Range Rover ride.</span>