REAR SUSPENSION
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION 64-7
Coil Spring Specifications – Models up to 03 Model Year
The rear coil springs are of the variable rate type and are manufactured from silicon manganese 16.5 mm (0.65 in.)
diameter bar. Each spring has 9 coils and a free length of 385 mm (15.1 in.). The variable rate of the spring is achieved
by the active coils at one end being closer together. The rear coil spring is identified by a purple stripe painted on a
number of coils.
Coil Spring Specifications – Models From 03 Model Year
The introduction of the 03MY vehicle introduced a range of additional rear coil spring fitments. These were introduced
as a package to optimise vehicle trim heights.
The coil springs are manufactured from silicon manganese 16.35 mm (0.64 in.) diameter bar for springs on five seater
models and 16.57 mm (0.65 in.) diameter bar on seven seater models. The following spring data table shows the
colour codes, number of coils and spring free length.
Spring Data
The following table shows spring fitment applicability.
Spring Fitment Applicability
Watts linkage
A Watts linkage is used to ensure that the rear axle remains centrally located. The Watts linkage comprises two
transverse links and a pivot housing. The transverse links and pivot housing allow the rear axle to move vertically
without any transverse movement.
The transverse links are made from fabricated and welded steel. Each transverse link has a bush press fitted into a
housing at one end. The opposite end has a forked bracket with two cross holes.
The pivot housing is made from cast iron. Three bushes are press fitted in the housing, one in the centre and one at
each end.
The pivot housing is located in a fabricated bracket centrally located on the rear of the axle. The central bush of the
pivot housing is secured in the bracket with a bolt and locknut. Fabricated brackets on each chassis longitudinal
provide for the attachment of each transverse link. Each link is secured through its bush with a bolt and locknut. The
forked end of each link locates over the bushes at each end of the pivot housing and is secured with a bolt and locknut.
The attachment bolts for each link are coated with a clear, dry wax which reduces friction on the bolt and allows the
correct torque to be applied to the clamping of the bushes. The bolts can be re-used, but if bolt replacement is
necessary the correct bolt with the wax coating must be used.
Colour Code Total No. of Coils Free Length Model
Brown/Orange 8.73 384.7 mm (15.14 in) 5 Seat
Grey/Orange 8.73 392 mm (15.43 in) 5 Seat
Yellow/Grey 8.73 376.6 mm (14.82 in) 5 Seat
Pink/Grey 8.73 400.3 mm (15.75 in) 5 Seat
Blue/Grey 9.10 387.8 mm (15.26 in) 7 Seat
Green/Grey 9.10 395.2 mm (15.55 in) 7 Seat
White/Grey 9.10 380.6 mm (14.98 in) 7 Seat
Left Hand Drive Right Hand Drive
Both Sides RH Side LH Side
Brown/Orange Grey/Orange Yellow/Grey
Grey Orange Pink/Grey Brown/Orange
Blue/Grey Green/Grey White/Grey
REAR SUSPENSION
64-8 DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
Anti-roll bar
The anti-roll bars fitted differ between ACE and non-ACE vehicles. On non-ACE vehicles a conventional 'passive' anti-
roll bar is used. On ACE vehicles an 'active' torsion bar is used. Both types are attached to the tubular cross-member
at the rear of the chassis with mounting rubbers and clamp plates. The clamp plates locate in fabricated brackets
attached to the tubular cross-member and secured with bolts.
Each end of the anti-roll bar is attached to an anti-roll bar link. Each link has a spherical bearing attached at each end.
One end is attached to a bracket on the axle and secured with a locknut. The opposite end attaches through a hole
in the anti-roll bar and is also secured with a locknut. On 'active' torsion bars, the RH anti-roll bar link is attached to a
long arm which in turn is attached to the anti-roll bar.
Passive anti-roll bar
The passive anti-roll bar is a conventional anti-roll bar which opposes axle movement, reducing the effects of lateral
forces on the vehicle body.
With the conventional passive anti-roll bar, axle movement is opposed by the anti-roll bar through links attached to
the axle casing and each end of the anti-roll bar.
On vehicles with coil springs (no SLS fitted) the anti-roll bar is manufactured from 19 mm (0.74 in.) diameter spring
steel bar.
On vehicles with air springs (SLS fitted) the anti-roll bar is manufactured from 29 mm (1.14 in.) diameter spring steel
bar.
Active torsion bar
+ FRONT SUSPENSION, DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION, Description - ACE.The 'active' torsion bar is
used in conjunction with the ACE system to control body roll and directional stability giving a reduction of the effects
of lateral forces on the vehicle body over a conventional 'passive' anti-roll bar.
The torsion bar opposes axle movement by the application of a hydraulic force to oppose the lateral forces through
links attached to the axle casing and each end of the bar. The torsion bar is made from 35 mm (1.4 in.) diameter spring
steel. One end is fitted with an arm which is operated by a hydraulic actuator to oppose corning forces.
REAR SUSPENSION
64-12 DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
Description - SLS
General
The Self Levelling Suspension (SLS) system is an optional fitment and comprises an Electronic Control Unit (ECU),
air supply unit, two air springs and two height sensors. The SLS system only operates on the rear suspension and is
designed to keep the vehicle level to compensate for uneven loads or when towing. The system controls the gap
between the chassis and the rear axle to a tolerance of ± 0.5 mm (0.02 in). The ride height of the rear of the vehicle
can be controlled in three modes of operation; normal ride height, Off-Road Mode (ORM) and extended mode. A
transportation mode, initiated using TestBook, is also available for moving the vehicle on a trailer.
The system is controlled electronically by an ECU which is shared with the ABS system and known as the Self
Levelling and Anti-Lock Braking System (SLABS) ECU. The system operates by using an air supply unit to inflate or
deflate the air springs to maintain a constant ride height.
An accessory remote handset is available to remotely operate the SLS system to allow easier connection and
disconnection of trailers.
Two SLS system warning lamps are located in the instrument pack. The warning lamp in the bottom left corner of the
instrument pack is the SLS warning lamp. If a fault is detected in the system, the warning lamp will illuminate
continuously in an amber colour. The warning lamp also flashes in an amber colour when the remote handset is being
used. The second warning lamp, located in the top right of the instrument pack is the ORM warning lamp. When ORM
is selected the warning lamp is continuously illuminated in an amber colour. When the SLS is between standard ride
height and ORM or in extended mode, the warning lamp will flash. Standard ride height, measured between the tip of
the axle bump stop rubber and the axle, is 61.5 mm (2.42 in). ORM ride height, measured between the tip of axle
bump stop and the axle, is 100 mm (3.93 in).
A switch is located in the group of six switches on the fascia and is used to select the ORM. The switch is non-latching
and must be depressed for a minimum of 0.5 seconds to signal the ECU that ORM has been requested.
REAR SUSPENSION
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION 64-15
Height sensors
1Spacer
2Link end
3Link4Link end
5Arm
6Sensor body
Two height sensors are located on the outside of each chassis longitudinal forward of the rear axle. Each sensor body
is attached to a fabricated bracket and secured with two screws. The sensor is attached to the top of each radius arm
by an arm, a link and two link ends. The link ends allow articulation of the arm to allow for suspension travel. The lower
link arm is attached to a lug of the top of the radius arm and is secured with a bolt and locknut.
The sensor body and arm are manufactured from moulded nylon. The two link ends are made from natural rubber
and the link is made from mild steel. The rubber link ends allow flexibility of the arm and resistance to damage.
Each sensor is connected to the main chassis harness by a multiplug. The three pin multiplug provides an earth, a 5
V supply voltage and an output signal voltage to the SLABS ECU.
Each sensor operates on the Hall effect principle. A magnet is attached to the shaft and rotates with movement of the
arm. The magnetic flux generated acts on a Hall effect sensor and depending on its position varies the current across
the sensor. This current is measured and amplified and passed to the SLABS ECU as a linear output voltage signal,
which varies depending on the angular position of the sensor. The signal information is processed and the ECU can
determine the vehicle height.
When the sensors are replaced or removed for any reason, a calibration procedure is required to recalibrate the
sensors and the SLABS ECU. The calibration procedure requires the use of TestBook and calibration blocks to set
the axle to chassis height to a known value.
If faults occur with the height sensors, fault codes are stored in the SLABS ECU. The current and past fault codes can
be retrieved with TestBook.
REAR SUSPENSION
64-18 DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
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
REAR SUSPENSION
64-22 DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
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.
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.
REAR SUSPENSION
ADJUSTMENTS 64-25
ADJUST ME NTS
SLS calibration blocks
$% 64.50.38
Fit
1.Connect TestBook to vehicle.
2.Ensure contact faces of calibration blocks LRT-
64-003/1 and LRT-64-003/2 are clean.
3.Using Testbook, operate the SLS system to
raise the body, position the calibration blocks
LRT-64-003/1 and LRT-64-003/2 between the
rear axle and the body, then lower the body
onto the calibration blocks. The calibration
blocks are handed and only fit one way.
Remove
1.Using Testbook, operate the SLS system to
raise the body, remove the calibration blocks
LRT-64-003/1 and LRT-64-003/2 from
between the rear axle and the body.
2.Disconnect TestBook from the vehicle.
REAR SUSPENSION
64-30 REPAIRS
Air spring - SLS
$% 64.21.01
Remove
1.Using TestBook, depressurise SLS air system.
After depressurisation, approximately 1 bar
(15 lbf.in
2) air pressure remains in the
system.
2.Raise rear of vehicle and support under
chassis.
WARNING: Do not work on or under a
vehicle supported only by a jack. Always
support the vehicle on safety stands.
3.Remove road wheel.
4.Remove 2 clips securing air spring to chassis.
5.Collapse air spring and disconnect pipe from
top of air spring.
CAUTION: Always fit plugs to open
connections to prevent contamination.
6.Rotate air spring, to unlock from axle and
remove from vehicle.
7.Remove connector from pipe.Refit
1.Clean mating faces of air spring, axle and
chassis.
CAUTION: Check air bag for signs of
damage. If air bag is damaged, air spring
must be replaced.
2.Fit pipe connector to air spring.
3.Locate air spring on axle and rotate 90° to fully
engage bayonet fitting.
4.Connect pipe to top of air spring.
5.Engage top locating pins of air spring in chassis
and secure with clips.
6.Repressurise SLS air system using TestBook.
WARNING: Eye protection must be worn
during the repressurisation procedure.
7.Fit road wheel and tighten nuts to 140 Nm (103
lbf.ft).
8.Remove stand(s) and lower vehicle.