1999 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY air suspension

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
Connector/Pin
No.Description Input/Output
C0504
1 Battery supply Input
2 Ignition supply Input
5 K line (diagnostics) Input/Output
12 Earth Input
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
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
brokenVehicle 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

REAR SUSPENSION
64-20 DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
SLS off-road mode switch
Air supply unit air control valves
Air supply unit compressor
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
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION 64-21
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.
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.

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
REPAIRS 64-27
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
64-28 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,
LUBRICANTS AND SEALANTS,
Lubrication.
4.Fit 'O' ring to wheel hub.
5.Apply a 3 mm (0.125 in) wide bead of sealant,
Part No. STC 50554 around drive shaft
circumference as illustrated.
6.Fit wheel hub to drive shaft and align to axle.
The sealant 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 sealant 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 64-29
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.

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.