Hi all, I've got a 2010 3.6 V8 in Stornoway with 103k on it. It has full LR history and is in fantastic overall condition, but I do have a really wallowy, bouncy ride that just doesn't feel right. It has the DSC or ACE stability control system. I understand that the fluid and filter can be replaced, but does this sort the issue? I would have thought that once knackered the dampers are just that- knackered, and will require replacing. West 4x4 who serviced it last noticed that the ride wasn't right, but we didn't have time to look into it any further on the day. The air bags are good all round as is the compressor. Do I just need to do the fluid and filter service, or do I replace just the dampers and re-use the bags, or am I looking at four new DSC/ACE struts, and if so any ideas on cost? Thanks in advance.

Not sure you have the right idea behind ACE and DSC what happens if you put the car in Dynamic? Does it improve? It should become firmer in the corners and give a stiffer ride. With it off mine willows a little but not badly. I don’t think it would help with a bouncy ride as it’s not really designed for that purpose.

If you do a DIY fluid change it can be a ball ache getting the shields off and you may need to make/buy a kit to do it. There is the alternative which is swop the oil over and over again till you’ve done 90% or so. 2019 5.0 SC SVA (Current)
2012 5.0 SC AB. Sadly written off by a campervan
23 plate Focus ST (Current)
1942 VEP Ford GPW Jeep (Willys) (Current)
1943 Whites M16 Halftrack (Current)
16 plate Eurofighter Typhoon, 2 x Eurojet engines with 20,000lbs thrust each. 1380mph

Brit, yours probably has continuous variable damping, my old sc didn't have it, and was slightly firmer. My 2012 has CVD damping (vast improvement on old dampers)and sometimes feels slightly spongy until I apply dynamic. (It definitely improves cornering)
Dave, it's Probably worth checking if you have CVD dampers ( has a cable attached to the top of the damper.
The ace is only applicable on cornering or off-road, it should not make the vehicle bouncy. Check the dampers the old fashioned way, bounce the corners and see if it recovers immediately. MY12 RRS HSE
Gone 4.2 supercharged RRS
Gone 90
Gone s2000

At 103k, I'd imagine you would benefit from a new set of dampers. My 2010 has done 98k now and I noticed the ride was a bit bouncy so I installed new Dunlops on the front and wow! What a difference!

I've now bought another pair for the rear that will be going on this weekend...

 Kev

MY2014 L405 RR Vogue SE 4.4 SDV8 in Corris Grey
MY2010 L320 RRS HSE 3.0 TDV6 in Stornoway Grey

shepp wrote:

Brit, yours probably has continuous variable damping, my old sc didn't have it, and was slightly firmer. My 2012 has CVD damping (vast improvement on old dampers)and sometimes feels slightly spongy until I apply dynamic. (It definitely improves cornering)
Dave, it's Probably worth checking if you have CVD dampers ( has a cable attached to the top of the damper.
The ace is only applicable on cornering or off-road, it should not make the vehicle bouncy. Check the dampers the old fashioned way, bounce the corners and see if it recovers immediately.

Hi guys, yes I have the CVD dampers as I have a cable at the top of each one. Am I getting confused with something else here as in the fluid and filter replacement is clearly for a hydraulic system, whereas the cable is an electrical circuit? The hydraulic system is the DSC/ACE, yes?

Either way, at 103k the struts would appear to need replacing. I've looked at Arnotts but threads on other forums seem to suggest the strut itself is only checked and they just add a new bag- hardly confidence inspiring. If I go for OEM struts where's the best place to get them for a good price? Island 4x4 seem to come up a lot on the U.S. forums.

Advanced Factors.  2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

I got my Dunlops from Craddocks for:
£139+VAT for the fronts
£150+VAT for the rears

I buy from forum sponsors when they are cheaper, but they were significantly more expensive when I checked them out. Kev

MY2014 L405 RR Vogue SE 4.4 SDV8 in Corris Grey
MY2010 L320 RRS HSE 3.0 TDV6 in Stornoway Grey

PompeyDave wrote:

Hi guys, yes I have the CVD dampers as I have a cable at the top of each one. Am I getting confused with something else here as in the fluid and filter replacement is clearly for a hydraulic system, whereas the cable is an electrical circuit? The hydraulic system is the DSC/ACE, yes?

He asked about OEM. Dunlop aren't OEM so they will be cheaper. Also his are variable dampers and I'm betting you didn't get variable dampers + airbags for the price you quoted. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Correct.

I'm just saying that the Dunlops were very much more expensive at AF....

For the fronts: £139+VAT (JC) vs £170.15+VAT (AF)

OEM or not, it's always worth shopping around  Kev

MY2014 L405 RR Vogue SE 4.4 SDV8 in Corris Grey
MY2010 L320 RRS HSE 3.0 TDV6 in Stornoway Grey

Last edited by knwatkins on Thu Jun 06 2019 11:55pm. Edited 1 time in total

Looks like the cheapest option is a Chinese set of four at £948 inc delivery via eBay. Hell of a gamble though as they could be useless, or they could be very well made. If I went for Arnott versions they'd be reasonably priced but only if you order and have them delivered in the states. Hmmm, this isn't going to be a cheap fix!

I wouldn't take the chance. I would always recommend buying good quality, known brands for aftermarket parts, especially suspension components.

You can buy OEM parts from LR Direct for the following prices for your model:
Fronts: £321.52+VAT
Rears: £356.84+VAT

One thing to note on OEM parts is that they aren't necessarily the actual parts that were fitted to the vehicle originally. For example, the original units on the non-CVD dampers were manufactured by Delphi. AF are advertising BWT manufactured units as OEM.

Edit: Island4x4 are actually a bit cheaper on the rears at £350+VAT Kev

MY2014 L405 RR Vogue SE 4.4 SDV8 in Corris Grey
MY2010 L320 RRS HSE 3.0 TDV6 in Stornoway Grey

Ok, cheers Kev- I can't see those parts on the LR Direct site- do you have part numbers or links I can search by? Thanks.

Sure....

Your fronts are: LR052867 (LH & RH)

And your rears are: LR032651 (LH) and LR032652 (RH)

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge