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mrpcar -> 1996 Range rover repairs update (3/20/2007 11:28:11 AM)
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A month after buying an used 1996 RR 4.6 HSE with 44k miles (My first Range Rover) I am discovering more and more little problems here and there. So far it has been an interesting learning experience with RR, to me by far it is a much easier car to work on compared to the Porsches that I have worked on the past and with all the available information and knowledge base on the internet it has been quit helpful in diagnosing and repair the problems that I am experiencing.
First day that I purchased the truck the EAS went from soft fault to hard fault while I was on the freeway driving 70 mph.
So after some research the first mod I made was installing the M.A.R.S. - Manual Air Recovery System kit, I also set the EAS on manual mode (jumped the wire on the EAS ECU connector), and have been manually pumping air into the each individual air bags to get the ride height I want.
After pumping up the air bags manually I discovered that overnight the right rear corner will fall to bump stop, so maybe a tell tail sign why the system went to soft fault in the first place. The rest of the corners also suffers slow leaks which will eventually lower the car to bump stop.
So I ordered 4 new air bags units from Arnotts, in attempt to resolve the leaking air bars. Both of the rear air bags were badly worn out, cracks all along the bottom bag seat. Removing the worn air bags as assembly was a 5 minute job, but installing the new bags was a major battle. Since on the new bag before it is folded to the seat it is a lot longer than the worn ones, there were limited space and travel from the suspension to allow the fitment. It took some bending, twisting of the bags in order to get it is place, and then it was manually pumping up the bags slowly and push and shove to get it to fold corrected. (Glad I have the MARS kit installed, which made the process a lot easier to manipulate)
Here is a picture of the (from left to right) new air bag, old air bag, and new air bag on the mounting seats
[image]http://p-car.com/temp/rangerover/airspringtemp/DSC03477.JPG[/image]
I also found the truck to pull to the left at highway speeds and a constant vibration at above 70 mph speeds. So after looking around I found that the left side ball joints and tie rod ends are all busted.
[image]http://p-car.com/temp/rangerover/controlarm/controlarmtemp/DSC03447.JPG[/image]
[image]http://p-car.com/temp/rangerover/controlarm/controlarmtemp/DSC03448.JPG[/image]
so the next step is to replace the front air bags and the worn out ball joints and tie rods.
To replace the ball joints I needed the ball joint removal tool... so more ordering of tools...
[image]http://p-car.com/temp/rangerover/muffler/muffler2temp/DSC03481.JPG[/image]
Once I finish replacing the front air bags I will take the truck to the stealer and have them reset the EAS system. So far I can't find anyone in the S. California with a Rovercom to help me reset the system. Anyone?????
While I was replacing the rear air bars I also noticed corroded spots all over the exhaust system, I was shocked to see this level of corrosion from a S California car and the lack of stainless steel material in this price range of car.
[image]http://p-car.com/temp/rangerover/muffler/muffler2temp/DSC03483.JPG[/image]
[image]http://p-car.com/temp/rangerover/muffler/muffler2temp/DSC03485.JPG[/image]
[image]http://p-car.com/temp/rangerover/muffler/muffler2temp/DSC03484.JPG[/image]
So off the exhaust system, I started the repair with the final muffler section first. There were 3 really bad spots on them.
I took a same diameter stainless pipe and cut a section of pipe off with a plasma cutter and then used the section as patches to cover up the blown open pipe and badly corroded areas.
[image]http://p-car.com/temp/rangerover/muffler/muffler2temp/DSC03486.JPG[/image]
[image]http://p-car.com/temp/rangerover/muffler/muffler2temp/DSC03488.JPG[/image]
[image]http://p-car.com/temp/rangerover/muffler/muffler2temp/DSC03496.JPG[/image]
Here are where all the patch works are done.
[image]http://p-car.com/temp/rangerover/muffler/muffler2temp/DSC03493.JPG[/image]
Next I will continue on to repair the intermediate muffler section. The corroded area is on the canister itself hear the exit pipe
More to come......
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