Hi Guys, The front suspension just dropped to the floor as i was driving, where would be the first place to check for a leak,
I understand the front pair are joined so presumable a leak on either front air bag or pipework would see both sides collapse ??

 

There are only about 147 places to check... You'll need a code reader to get any useful troubleshooting information. I have an iCarsoft LR II that reads everything in the car and can clear codes so you can tell if a code is old and no longer applies, or recurs and therefore does apply.

You might have a bad strut, bad fittings on a strut, a failed level sensor, or something stuck in the valve body, just to name a few things that could cause it. You didn't mention if you saw a dashboard message about the air suspension, but if you did, be aware that once the air suspension module posts an error, it gives up and stops trying to correct anything until the car is shut off and restarted.

 

Cheers Wfooshee, There was a suspension fault message on dash.
I will plug in a code reader and start the engine, hoping the pump will put air in the system allowing me to listen/look for a leak, but i read somewhere that the pump only activates over 40mph, is that correct ??

 

 

Thank you Jaroslav

 

"I understand the front pair are joined so presumable a leak on either front air bag or pipework would see both sides collapse ??"

Correct

It sounds lie an air bag burst (like a balloon).
Usually there is a bang and a hole in the side of a strut.
Have a look.
Not a big job to replace but you may need an impact driver on the bottom bolt

Be sure of the fault before buying parts etc.

 

BTW when shopping around for a replacement, if you choose to stick with the air-suspension (and not going the coil-over route), keep in mind that not all products support CATS.
I believe Arnott does not, Bilstein does, Aerosus seems to be suggesting they do but I would not bet on that being the truth.
I myself do not know if I can tell the difference with vs. without CATS, as I had to replace the rear shocks on day one. (They died as the car was being delivered to me: I saw them working, and couple of hours later they refused to go up and I could hear them leaking.)

Arnott is now offering their eRide for Jaguars, but I have no clue what that does and whether it is compatible with x350/x358. (I hope not, I purchased their regular air-shocks for my front not even a month ago.)

 

A sudden drop like occurred is almost certainly failure of one of the air spring diaphragms. These don't last for ever unfortunately, and in theory are replaceable, but just find a firm that does them ! In the USA, lots of owners have converted to coil spring units. However I don't know what the situation is in the UK, but replacing the whole unit is wildly expensive when only a rubber "bag" is necessary that probably costs about £30. Jaguar originally intended for the air springs to be an option but went for air for all X350s in the end. A bad decision ! When a coil spring fails you just go down to your local shop and ask them to fit another one at not too much cost. On the later and last XJ saloon, air suspension is only on the rear wheels, so there must at least be front units availble for the older X350s, because I don't think the suspension was altered in any way.

 

My front suspension "suddenly dropped". I mean "suddenly". A popped Bilstein, Indy replaced both front struts, with Bilstein though not sourced through Jaguar.
(had to say "replaced with Bilstein" just to wind wfooshee up )
-Popped suddenly: Not likely to be pipes or height sensors unless you went over a pothole. (theory)
-Could be the valve block, I always suspected the valve block until nah it's the Bilstein.
-My Indy didn't seem familiar with Coil-Over, anyway I'm personally happy to keep the car "honest" ()

When my front suspension dropped, I could start the car in Park and the compressor runs and would partially-raise the car (for a few minutes before the compressor stopped).
Whatever the conditions are for "25mph or above" to run the compressor DO NOT APPLY when started in Park. Compressor runs immediately.

Yeah, it cost me $NZ4000 ($US2500) for 2 front Bilsteins, fitted.

Your rubber suspension bushes might also be stuffed front and rear. Might cost as much as the air suspension struts overall or It did me. But then, I'm a Jaguar nut had a Merc at one stage and it just didn't do anything for me.

 

Actually on the previous drive on the way to the pub suspension was ok but did hit a bad pothole near start of journey
When returning all was ok for first 6 miles but 1/2 mile from home it was on the bump stops
Will get it in the air and have a good look round them first
Ta

 

Well sort of good news. The front level sensor had snapped off the wishbone.


Temp. refixed it but back on the ground, the car is still on the floor and wont pump up with engine running and park brake off.
Its obviously remembering where the suspension was sitting when i parked it last night.
How can i fool the brain into putting air into the front bags again ???