'06 LR3 Rear suspension lowers overnight

[steveleuer]

The rear end on my '06 LR3 has been lowering overnight. It's not leaning either way, just bottoming out on both sides. It pumps up when I start it and I don't hear the pump running any longer than usual. It takes at least 10 hours to lower. Any ideas on where to start? Valves?, Pump?, Electronics?, Leaky cans?... there has not been any warning indicators regarding the suspension.

 

[hell pie]

The fact that both sides (driver and passenger) of the rear are lowering probably means it is not bad height sensors or leaky cans. It is most likely something upstream. Perhaps the rear valve block?

 

[Team Jeff]

Mix up some dish soap & water in a spray bottle and start coating the bags, lines, junctions looking for bubbles- it works surprisingly well!

 

[steveleuer]

I'll try the soap test. Where is the rear valve block located? Is it electrical?

 

[Team Jeff]

My memory is pretty rusty on the details of that system, but I do remember that each bag is controlled by a solenoid (or am I thinking of my wife's Expedition?!) .... anyway, jack the car up, use jack stands capable of handling it's weight & trace the air lines coming out of the bags. It's curious that BOTH rear bags are deflating - make sure it's not just one side "dragging" the other side down with it - that will make diagnosis a bit easier.
Actually.....
Do this first -
1) Park the vehicle at normal ride height, maybe when you've arrived home from work & don't plan to use it again till the next day. Disable the air system (cant remember if it's a switch, fuse, or??)
2) Measure & record height from the concrete to a specific place on all wheel wells - use some masking tape on each fender arch and record each number there so you don't confuse them. They will be different, it's of no consequence at this point.
3) The next day, take the measurements again & compare.

Hopefully this will narrow down your issue & make the "hunt" more fruitful!

 

[hell pie]

Team Jeff's suggestion is a good one. Here is a link to what the air valve looks like.

http://www.roverlandparts.com/2006-2008-range-rover-air-suspension-valve-block-sport-1.aspx

The one for the rear can be seen from the wheelwell, even more so when in off-road height. The fuses you need to pull to keep the LR3 from dropping are F35P (passenger glove compartment), F3E, and F26E (engine compartment).

 

[steveleuer]

Thank you. I'll give it a shot this weekend.

 

[lr3some]

Im interested to hear how this turns out. I have been noticing that my 05 LR3 sits low in the mornings.

 

[YoungstownLR3]

What about if the car has been sitting for 2 or more days? I know a lot of air suspension systems lower by themselves to take some strain off the airbags.

 

[cmostech]

I had the exact same problem after at least 48 hours, i had a warranty and they replaced a couple valves and seemed to fix the problem. The lr3 still lowers if i don't drive it for a week but like youngstownlr3 said I think its just releasing stress.