All this talk has made me wonder if after converting SLS to Coil if one couldn't retrofit some "airlift" bags inside the coils and reconnect the OEM compressor and frame attached air pressure levers. That would be the best of both worlds.....maybe
SLS Bottomed Out!
- Thread starter DWB
- Start date
S
syoung
Guest
Now THAT is an interesting response- who the hell is bitching about the truck not doing something because I bought the wrong truck? Are you on crack? The Disco with SLS tows pretty well and there's no way I'm gonna drop $40K on some P.O.S. pickup to tow my camper or my race car and be stuck with some redneck machine I hate. Pulling out the SLS makes the Disco terrible for towing, but with SLS is somewhat capable. I just towed my 72 Range Rover on a 9 hour trip in an enclosed trailer last weekend with no problem. Try that with your coils... but don't call me when you're upside down in a ditch because of it.
I had a leaky airbag that I fixed by injecting some Slime tire sealant. It is the green stuff used to fix a leaky tire/inner tube. I know this sounds unorthodox, so don't flame me, 
but my 2001 DII has not sagged since (about 5 months). I got the idea from reading a post from a different site a while back, and it has worked for me. Coil conversion was an option, but I figured slime was a cheaper alternative that I would try first. It should be noted that although my disco sagged in the right rear, it would come back up when I start the car and back out of my garage, suggesting to me that the bag was not completely beyond repair.
I printed out the procedure to remove airbags for a coil conversion from Expedition Exchange tech site to guide me through, and spent probably a total of $40 which included the cost of the slime and tools, including floor jacks. Even though I'm a complete novice, this wasn't too tough a job. It probably took me a about 2 hours because it took me a while to figure out how to unplug the compressor hose from the airbag. After a test drive, I crawled under the truck to see that the airbag was fully inflated, and I also saw a couple of green dots on the bag, suggesting that the slime did its job of patching the leak from the inside.
but my 2001 DII has not sagged since (about 5 months). I got the idea from reading a post from a different site a while back, and it has worked for me. Coil conversion was an option, but I figured slime was a cheaper alternative that I would try first. It should be noted that although my disco sagged in the right rear, it would come back up when I start the car and back out of my garage, suggesting to me that the bag was not completely beyond repair.I printed out the procedure to remove airbags for a coil conversion from Expedition Exchange tech site to guide me through, and spent probably a total of $40 which included the cost of the slime and tools, including floor jacks. Even though I'm a complete novice, this wasn't too tough a job. It probably took me a about 2 hours because it took me a while to figure out how to unplug the compressor hose from the airbag. After a test drive, I crawled under the truck to see that the airbag was fully inflated, and I also saw a couple of green dots on the bag, suggesting that the slime did its job of patching the leak from the inside.
F
frickjp
Guest
Nicely done. The bag rots right where the edge rolls under. The dry-rot is exposed as the rubber seperates as it flexes. Slime, huh? Sounds like a good fix. Longevity remains to be seen, but it sounds like a great Sunday repair.
Oh, I just had to chime in on this one. I also, as Ho did, have a bag blow out while offroading. While on the Miller Jeep Trail in SoCal the whole top of the bag blew off. I also had @10K. Wood blocks got me out. I soon traded out the bags for springs and couldn't be happier.
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Update
Well gentlemen, this has been an interesting discussion, though a bit weak on troubleshooting advice. After working my way through the system I narrowed it down to the compressor. Upon removal and disassembly, sure enough, the compressor motor was seized and smelled like a burnt offering. The exhaust connector was even melted from overheating. Now I?m faced with what to do. A new compressor is $800+, clearly not an option. If I can replace the compressor or just the compressor motor used for under $100 then I?d like to keep the SLS. I plan to take the compressor unit to the local electric motor repair guys tomorrow?who knows, I might get lucky and they can rebuild it. Otherwise it?s a cheep used unit or convert to coils. Any advice? Mr. Frick, you willing to let that compressor you got sitting around go cheap?
Well gentlemen, this has been an interesting discussion, though a bit weak on troubleshooting advice. After working my way through the system I narrowed it down to the compressor. Upon removal and disassembly, sure enough, the compressor motor was seized and smelled like a burnt offering. The exhaust connector was even melted from overheating. Now I?m faced with what to do. A new compressor is $800+, clearly not an option. If I can replace the compressor or just the compressor motor used for under $100 then I?d like to keep the SLS. I plan to take the compressor unit to the local electric motor repair guys tomorrow?who knows, I might get lucky and they can rebuild it. Otherwise it?s a cheep used unit or convert to coils. Any advice? Mr. Frick, you willing to let that compressor you got sitting around go cheap?
I too am a fan of coils. one of the bags leaked on mine i then got rid of it for coils, sold the bags and the compressor, which mor than paid for the conversion and then i had some money left over for when i lifted it. I liked the ride better on coils anyhow.
Under the pressure from all you ?experts? favoring coils, I installed the AB coil conversion kit today. It?s nice to see my DII?s butt back up where it belongs. I?d like to evaluate the rest of the SLS system and consider reinstalling it for towing next summer. I have some good leads on used compressors and can have the electric motor rebuilt on mine for $60-$100. Anyone have ideas on how to test the bags for leaks off the truck? Pressurize, plug and stick in water- look for bubbles? Also, as expected, the SLS dash light is on. What wasn?t expected is that the chime sounds every 3-4 minutes while driving to alert you that the light is on (if you?re blind I suppose?). The light is tolerable, but the incessant chime? that?s gotta go. Anything I can do short of a trip to the stealer? And.. thank you all for the advice so far.
2 airbags for $100 plus shipping.
OK, now I have to chime in. Remember, I put my rig through the paces. My SLS started to leak at about 70,000 miles. Both replaced under extended warranty. Then while rallying over whoops, at night, full of passengers, in the middle of BFBaja Mexico. Caught same air and came down on the back and well, I'll let the picture tell the story. Only problem. Didn't pack the spare!! You should have seen the Jerry rig we made to limp back home. Moral of the story... if you keep the bags. If you can, buy the extended warranty. And ALWAYS carry a spare. Learn how to replace. It's not that difficult. I'm on the fence, leaning towards coils. I'm now at 95,000 miles with a week remaining on the warranty and a trip to the Baja 1000 in a couple of weeks. Making the coil conversion on Friday. Anyone want spare airbags? Make me an offer on the compressor.
OK, now I have to chime in. Remember, I put my rig through the paces. My SLS started to leak at about 70,000 miles. Both replaced under extended warranty. Then while rallying over whoops, at night, full of passengers, in the middle of BFBaja Mexico. Caught same air and came down on the back and well, I'll let the picture tell the story. Only problem. Didn't pack the spare!! You should have seen the Jerry rig we made to limp back home. Moral of the story... if you keep the bags. If you can, buy the extended warranty. And ALWAYS carry a spare. Learn how to replace. It's not that difficult. I'm on the fence, leaning towards coils. I'm now at 95,000 miles with a week remaining on the warranty and a trip to the Baja 1000 in a couple of weeks. Making the coil conversion on Friday. Anyone want spare airbags? Make me an offer on the compressor.
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RoverDude said:
John, was the SLS aired all the way up in offroad mode when it busted? Just curious.
WELL AFTER HEARING THE GOOD SIDES AND THE BAD SIDES I GUESS IT DEPENDS IF YOUR A HANDYMAN.BECAUSE FIXING AN AIR BAG IN THE RAIN OR IN THE WINTER IN A TRAIL IN THE DARK IN THE MUD WITH THE WIFE KIDS AND DOGS WITH ONLY MUD IN SITE MIXED WITH ROCKS IN THE MIDLE OF NOWHERE I THINK I WOULD PREFER THE SPRINGS.bUT IF YOUR JUST GOING TO USE IT FOR TOWING AND NOT USE IT FOR HD OFFROADING THEN I CAN SEE THE POINT BUT IF YOUR ANY SERIOUS OFFROADER YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING ME !!
No but the SLS kit from Rovertym allows me to adjust the airbags and evenly match the front. Which is at 3.25" over stock with 285/75/16 tires. So the bags were probably an 1" or so over stock inflation. Also the impact was straight down as we were going over whoops and not a more linear landing. Can you imagine that it blew a hole in the plastic. Didn't blow the bladder nor the top off.JamesWyatt said:
RoverDude said:
The SLS should have been designed to take a huge pounding at full extension and with a heavy load. Too bad, because it sounds like it doesn't quite hold up to this standard. Sounds more like a towing or a "get the rear off a steep departure for light duty offroading" feature. I wonder if you got a defective one. People busting these out a 10K miles is really disturbing.
people chosing to keep them on their trail trucks is even more disturbing.
they do make a cool hissing sound though.
they do make a cool hissing sound though.