air suspension LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 2002 Repair Manual

REAR SUSPENSION
64-14 DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
The air supply unit comprises a 12 V electric motor, a compressor and air dryer unit, a pressure limiting valve, an
exhaust valve and two air supply control valves. The exhaust and control valves are solenoid operated responding to
signals from the SLABS ECU. The electric motor, compressor, air dryer and pressure limiting and exhaust valve are
mounted on flexible rubber mountings to reduce operating noise.
The electric motor drives a crank with an eccentric pin to which a connecting rod is attached. The connecting rod has
a piston which fits in the bore of the compressor. Operation of the motor rotates the crank, moving the piston in the
bore of the compressor.
The compressor is attached with Allen bolts to the motor housing and sealed with an O-ring. Attached to the
compressor is the air dryer which contains a silicate box for removing moisture from the compressed air. Air supplied
to inflate the air springs passes through the air dryer. When the air springs are deflated, the exhaust air also passes
through the air dryer, removing the moisture from the unit and expelling it to atmosphere.
Attached to end of the air dryer unit is the pressure limiting valve. The valve protects the air springs from over inflation.
The pressure limiting valve also operates when the exhaust valve is opened. The valve is pneumatically operated,
responding to air pressure applied to it.
The exhaust valve is also located with the pressure limiting valve. The exhaust valve is solenoid operated by the ECU
and directs air from the air springs and control valves to atmosphere when required.
The two air control valves for the LH and RH air springs are located at the forward end of the housing. Each valve is
connected to the compressor/air dryer unit through a shared single pipe which directs air to and from the air springs.
Each control valve is individually operated by the ECU.
All air connections to and from the air supply unit are made through the SLS air harness which is located along the
left hand chassis longitudinal.
If faults occur with the air supply unit, fault codes are stored in the SLABS ECU. These fault codes cover the
compressor power supply and the LH and RH air control valves and the exhaust valve. The current and past fault
codes can be retrieved with TestBook. TestBook can also be used to operate the compressor and the valves for
diagnostic purposes.
Air intake filter
The air intake filter is located in the left hand 'E' post, behind the tail lamp assembly. The filter comprises a plastic
moulded housing which contains two filters of differing density to remove particulate matter from the air drawn in by
the compressor. The air intake filter has a pipe which is connected to the SLS air harness by a quick release
connector. The air intake filter must be replaced as an assembly.
Air intake/Exhaust silencer
The air intake/exhaust silencer is located on the outside of the left hand chassis longitudinal, behind the air supply
unit. The silencer is an integral part of the SLS air harness and cannot be serviced individually.
The intake and exhaust air to and from the compressor passes through the silencer. The plastic moulded silencer has
two chambers. One chamber reduces system exhaust noise and the other dampens intake air pulses produced by
the compressor.

REAR SUSPENSION
64-16 DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
Air springs
1Top plate
2Voss connector
3Air bag
4Piston
On vehicles without SLS, coil springs are used. On vehicles with SLS two air springs are fitted between the chassis
and the rear axle to replace the coil springs. Each air spring is located at its base on a fabricated platform on the rear
axle. The top of the spring locates in a fabricated bracket attached to the outside of each chassis longitudinal.
The plastic base piston is recessed with a boss with two lugs moulded in the centre for attachment to the axle. The
piston is secured by locating the lugs in a slotted hole in the axle platform and rotating the spring through 90
°, locating
the lugs in the slot. The plastic top plate has two grooved pins which locate through holes in the chassis bracket. Two
spring clips locate on the grooved pins and retain the top of the spring in position.
Each air spring comprises a top plate, an air bag and a base piston. The air bag is attached to the top plate and the
piston with crimped rings.
The air bag is made from a fibre reinforced flexible rubber material which allows the spring to expand with air pressure
and deform under load. The top plate comprises the two bonded grooved pins and a female Voss connector in the
centre. The Voss connector allows for the attachment of the air supply pipe from the air supply unit. The piston is also
made from plastic and is shaped to optimise the springs characteristics.

REAR SUSPENSION
64-18 DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
The ECU supplies a 5 V current to each of the height sensors. Each height sensor uses the current to supply an
analogue input to the ECU. The ECU can calculate from the input received from each height sensor the height of the
vehicle and can then power the air supply unit as necessary to raise or lower one or both air springs to level the
vehicle.
When SLS compressor operation is required, the ECU provides a battery supply to energise the SLS relay located in
the engine compartment fusebox. When the relay contacts close, a 12 V supply passes through fusible link 9 in the
engine compartment fusebox, through the relay contacts and operates the air supply unit compressor. The ECU will
then supply power to operate one or both air control valve solenoids and/or the exhaust valve solenoid to inflate or
deflate the air springs as required. The compressor does not need to be powered to deflate the air springs.
The ECU also controls the operation of the SLS audible warning, the SLS warning lamp and the ORM warning lamp.
When the ignition is switched to position II, the ECU performs a three second bulb check and illuminates the SLS and
ORM warning lamps in the instrument pack to check for operation. When the system is operating or a fault is sensed
by the ECU, the ECU will operate the appropriate warning lamp and audible warning as required. The audible warning
is operated by the Body Control Unit (BCU) when it receives a signal from the SLABS ECU. The audible warning is
emitted from a speaker at the rear of the instrument pack.
Depressing the ORM switch for a minimum of 0.5 seconds, completes an earth which the ECU uses as a signal to
initiate the ORM if conditions allow. When the ECU starts ORM, the same earth that was completed by the ORM
switch is pulled to earth by the ECU to activate the ORM warning lamp. The ECU checks for a further operation of the
ORM switch by continuously and very quickly removing the earth for the ORM warning lamp. If the ORM switch is
operated for more than 0.5 seconds, the ECU will detect this and de-activate the ORM.
The SLS part of the SLABS ECU also uses the road speed data generated within the SLABS ECU by the ABS system.
Operation of ORM and extended mode are road speed sensitive and use the ABS signal to monitor the vehicle speed.
When the accessory remote handset is used for the SLS lower and raise functions, the handset transmits RF signals
which are received by the same RF receiver used for the alarm/remote door locking system. The RF receiver passes
this data as a 25 Hz PWM signal to the BCU. The BCU then transmits this data to the SLABS ECU as raise or lower
data. TestBook is required to program the BCU for remote handset operation.
SLABS ECU connector pin details
Connector/Pin No. Description Input/Output
C0504
1 Battery supply Input
2 Ignition supply Input
5 K line (diagnostics) Input/Output
12 EarthInput
C0654
1 Left height sensor supply Output
2 Left height sensor earth Input
3 Left height sensor signal Input
4 Right height sensor supply Output

REAR SUSPENSION
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION 64-19
Failure modes
Failures are indicated by the SLS warning lamp in the bottom left corner of the instrument pack illuminating
continuously in an amber colour. The following tables show the type of system failures and their effects on the system
operation.
Height sensors
Door Switch Inputs
SLS off-road mode switch
Air supply unit air control valves
Air supply unit compressor
5 Right height sensor earth Input
6 Right height sensor signal Input
C0655
1 Driver's door switch Input
2 Passenger and tail door switches Input
3 Left air valve Output
4 Right air valve Output
5 Exhaust valve Output
6 Air compressor (SLS relay) Output
7 Audible warning Output
8 SLS warning lamp Output
11 ORM switch/ORM warning lamp Input/Output
12 Remote handset raise/lower signal Input
Connectors and pins not listed are either not used or used by the brakes system.

+ BRAKES, DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION, Description.
Failure Effect
Sensor output stuck at 5 V Vehicle will not level
Sensor output stuck at 0 V Vehicle will not level
Mechanical link between radius arm and sensor broken Vehicle will not level
Failure Effect
Harness leads for open doors are are broken or shorted to
V Batt.Air suspension levels when one or more doors are open
Harness leads to door(s) shorted to earth Air suspension will not level
Failure Effect
Fault in wiring harness Off-road mode cannot be selected
Failure of off-road mode switch Off-road mode is activated when switch has not been
selected
Failure Effect
Valves open or short circuit Vehicle does not level or levels unevenly
Failure Effect
Faulty relay, harness fault or compressor fault Vehicle does not level upwards

REAR SUSPENSION
64-20 DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
Operation
Circuit diagram
1SLABS ECU
2Exhaust valve
3Restrictor
4Pressure limiting valve
5Silencer
6Inlet air filter
7Compressor
8Air dryer9Non-return valve
10RH air control valve
11RH air spring
12RH height sensor
13LH height sensor
14LH air spring
15LH air control valve
The SLS system is active when the ignition switch is in position II, when one or more doors are open and for up to
thirty minutes after all doors have been closed. If the rear axle is articulated by more than 100 mm (3.93 in), the ECU
will not activate the SLS system.
The air supply unit compressor will only operate to raise the rear of the vehicle when the engine is running, with the
exception of the remote handset operation which does not require the engine running. Three modes of SLS operation
are available; Normal Ride Height, Off-Road Mode (ORM) and Extended Mode. A fourth mode, transportation mode,
is programmed by TestBook for transport or recovery of the vehicle on a trailer.

REAR SUSPENSION
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION 64-21
Normal ride height
When the vehicle is stationary, a door is open and the ignition is off, the SLS system will allow the rear of the vehicle
to lower to within 20 mm of the normal ride height as load is removed from the vehicle. The SLS system will only
operate the compressor to raise the rear of the vehicle when the engine is running, unless requested using the remote
handset.
Off-road mode (ORM)
ORM is used to raise the rear of the vehicle from normal ride height to the ORM ride height of 100 mm between the
tip of the bump stop and the axle.
ORM is activated by depressing the ORM switch located on the fascia for not less than 0.5 seconds. With the engine
running, all doors closed and the vehicle speed below 18 mph (30 km/h), the audible warning will sound once and the
ORM warning lamp in the instrument pack will start to flash when the switch is released. The compressor will be
started and the air control valves will be energised by the ECU to inflate the air springs and raise the rear of the vehicle.
When the full ORM height is reached, the ECU will terminate compressor operation and close the air valves. The ORM
warning lamp will stop flashing and remain continuously illuminated to inform the driver that the SLS system is in ORM.
When ORM is no longer required, depressing the ORM switch for not less than 0.5 seconds with all doors closed will
lower the SLS to normal ride height. The audible warning will sound once and the ORM warning lamp will flash as the
suspension lowers. The ECU energises the air control valves and the exhaust valve to release air pressure from the
air springs. When standard ride height is reached the ORM warning lamp will extinguish and the ECU will de-energise
the air control valves and the exhaust valve solenoids.
If the SLS is in ORM and the vehicle speed exceeds 18 mph (30 km/h), the ECU will lower the SLS to standard ride
height. The driver will be informed of this by an audible warning and the ORM warning lamp flashing as the suspension
lowers. When normal ride height is achieved, the ORM warning lamp will extinguish.
At sea level, the time to change the SLS from normal ride height to ORM or visa versa will take between 15 and 20
seconds.
If the ECU determines that conditions are not correct for SLS operation, i.e.; axle articulation or system fault, the
audible warning will sound three times to inform the driver that the ORM request has not been granted.
Extended mode
The extended mode is automatically operated by the ECU and requires no input from the driver. Extended mode
operates when the chassis is grounded causing the rear wheels to spin. This information is generated by the ABS
function of the SLABS ECU.
When the ECU senses that the chassis is grounded and the vehicle speed is less than 6 mph (10 km/h), the ECU will
operate the compressor and energise the air control valves for 25 seconds to raise the rear of the vehicle. This
operates irrespective of the mode that the SLS system is in at that time. To inform the driver, the ORM warning lamp
will flash continuously at all times that the system is in extended mode.
The driver can exit the extended mode by depressing the ORM switch for not less than 0.5 seconds or by exceeding
8 mph (13 km/h).
Remote handset SLS control
The remote handset is an accessory item which allows the SLS to be operated between normal ride height and bump
stop height to allow easier connection and disconnection of trailers. The remote handset is similar in appearance to
that of the remote door locking handset but does not have an integral key. A circular button with an arrow is used to
raise the SLS and an oval button with the 'Land Rover' logo is used to lower the SLS.
The remote handset control requires all doors to be closed and the ignition to be in position II, but the engine does
not need to be running.

REAR SUSPENSION
64-22 DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
Pressing the lower button will signal the SLABS ECU, via the RF receiver and the BCU, to energise the exhaust valve
and air control valves. The SLS will lower up to 60 mm (2.36 in) below normal ride height if the button is held. If the
button is released the SLS will stop at that point.
Pressing the raise button will signal the SLABS ECU, via the RF receiver and the BCU, to start the compressor and
energise the exhaust valve and air control valves. The SLS will raise to normal ride height if the button is held. If the
button is released the SLS will stop at that point.
When raising or lowering the SLS using the remote handset, the SLS warning lamp will flash and the audible warning
will sound when the system is operating. When the SLS is fully lowered the warning lamp will stay illuminated. The
SLS will reset to normal ride height if the vehicle speed exceeds 3 mph (5 km/h) for 10 seconds when the SLS is
lowered.
Transportation mode
Transportation mode must be used when the vehicle is transported on a trailer and secured by the chassis. The
transportation mode can only be enabled and disabled with TestBook.
The transportation mode lowers the rear suspension onto the bump stops with the engine not running. When the
suspension is in transportation mode, the SLS warning lamp is continuously illuminated when the ignition is in position
II.
When the engine is started in transportation mode, the SLS system will raise the rear suspension until a gap of 25
mm (1 in.) exists between the bump stop and the axle. The SLS warning lamp will flash continuously while the SLS
system is raising the suspension. When the gap between the bump stop and the axle is achieved, the warning lamp
will illuminate continuously.
When TestBook is used to disable the transportation mode, the rear suspension will raise to normal ride height when
the engine is running.

REAR SUSPENSION
REPAIRS 64-25
REPAIRS
Wheel hub
$% 64.15.01
Models with SLS:
WARNING: Ensure the air suspension system is
made safe before commencing work. Otherwise
the chassis may lower onto the bump stops
during repair.
Remove
1.Raise rear of vehicle.
WARNING: Do not work on or under a
vehicle supported only by a jack. Always
support the vehicle on safety stands.
2.Remove road wheel.
3.Release stake in drive shaft nut.
4.With an assistant depressing the brake pedal,
remove and discard drive shaft nut.
5.Remove rear brake disc.

+ BRAKES, REPAIRS, Brake disc -
rear.6.Disconnect ABS sensor multiplug.
7.Release harness from brake hose and hose
bracket.
8.Remove 4 bolts securing wheel hub to axle.
9.Release and remove wheel hub and drive shaft
assembly from axle. Remove and discard 'O'
ring from wheel hub.

REAR SUSPENSION
64-26 REPAIRS
10.Position the wheel hub and drive shaft on a
press, place supports beneath the wheel studs
and press the drive shaft from the wheel hub.Refit
1.Clean drive shaft splines, wheel hub and axle
mating faces, ABS sensor and sensor recess.
2.Fit drive shaft to axle casing.
3.Lubricate new bearing hub 'O' ring with clean
differential oil.

+ CAPACITIES, FLUIDS AND
LUBRICANTS, Lubrication.
4.Fit 'O' ring to wheel hub.
5.Apply a 3 mm (0.125 in) wide bead of Loctite
640 around drive shaft circumference as
illustrated.
6.Fit wheel hub to drive shaft and align to axle.
The Loctite will smear along the length of the
splines as the wheel hub is fitted to the drive
shaft.
7.Fit bolts securing wheel hub to axle and tighten
to 100 Nm (74 lbf.ft).
8.Fit new drive shaft nut and lightly tighten.
9.Fit rear brake disc.

+ BRAKES, REPAIRS, Brake disc -
rear.
10.With an assistant depressing the brake pedal,
tighten drive shaft nut to 490 Nm (360 lbf.ft).
Stake drive shaft nut. The drive shaft nut
must be tightened before the Loctite has
cured.
11.Connect ABS sensor multiplug and secure
harness to harness bracket and brake hose.
12.Fit road wheel and tighten nuts to 140 Nm (103
lbf.ft).
13.Remove stand(s) and lower vehicle.
M51 0057
M51 0058

REAR SUSPENSION
REPAIRS 64-27
Road spring - rear
$% 64.20.01
Remove
1.Raise rear of vehicle.
WARNING: Do not work on or under a
vehicle supported only by a jack. Always
support the vehicle on safety stands.
2.Support vehicle under chassis.
3.Remove road wheel.
4.Support weight of axle on a jack.
5.Remove bolt securing damper to axle.
WARNING: Make sure the axle cannot move
when the damper is disconnected. The
damper limits the downward movement of
the axle. If the axle is not restrained,
disconnecting the damper will allow
unrestricted movement which may cause
personal injury or damage to equipment.
6.Remove clip securing brake pipe to bracket. 7.Release ABS sensor lead from bracket.
8.Lower axle on jack and remove spring.
Refit
1.Ensure spring seats are clean.
2.Fit spring with close coil uppermost.
3.Ensure spring is correctly located on spring
seats and raise axle. Fit and tighten bolt
securing damper to axle to 124 Nm (91 lbf.ft).
4.Fit clip to secure brake pipe to bracket.
5.Fit ABS sensor lead to bracket.
6.Fit road wheel and tighten nuts to 140 Nm (103
lbf.ft).
7.Remove stand(s) and lower vehicle.