Hi all

First ever post, so go easy on me please! I recently purchased a 2006 Range Rover Sport 4.2 SC. I absolutely love the car, but there are so many issues cropping up now. The biggest concern is the ACE bar. Its leaking HEAVILY. I have to top up the dynamic fluid literally every few hours if I want to drive and not have the red suspension warning (goes away if i top up fluid).

I’ve last topped up with Smith and Allan cold climate and the leak has started, surely it can’t be the fluid?

Anyway i crawled under the car today and think I’ve found the cause, not any pipes or hoses. It seems to be the unit itself that’s not sealed shut?. Can I seal this with metal sealant/ epoxy?

See pics below. Sinking feeling here that this car will drive me crazy.

Is it me, or does the outer casing look distorted?

Active ARB leaks are a common point of failure on the L320. Some have performed some temporary fixes using power steering stop-leak fluids with success. Note use of the word 'temporary' because the sensible advice is to always fix the issue properly and replace. Kev

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

You can't seal it as it's a hydraulic ram - it moves in and out a bit as it works. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Unfortunately looking at the outer casing of the ram those "indentation" around the circumference indicate to me the end cap is crimped in so it is not possible to remove it to replace the seals without re-engineering, assuming you could even get replacement seals. Conventional rams those caps are/were screwed in and when I worked with heavy construction equipment we were for ever resealing hydraulic rams, fitting new piston rods etc. So at L/R prices that will be £1500.00 please, thank you very much Sir.

Cheers
Col

RRSTDV8 wrote:

You can't seal it as it's a hydraulic ram - it moves in and out a bit as it works.

Moore Automotive Ltd in Chertsey
Rovertune in Reading
Vogue Autos in South Ruislip (heard about them but can't vouch)
Dartford Transmissions and Autocare - Martin Hind (top lad)
 Visitor from fullfatrr.com
* GONE. 2012 RR Sport HSE SDV6 Orkney Grey. Now being piloted by RRSTDV8
* GONE: 2011 4.4 TDV8 Full Fat. Amazing piece of kit.
* Current. 1974 Lightweight 2.25L petrol. Old skool
* GONE. Freelander GS TD4 Manual MY2013. Orkney Grey with privacy, cold and clearview packs, armrests (a must!) and a spoiler.
* GONE. Range Rover Classic '93 200Tdi Factory fit
* 1949 80" in family since 1975

knwatkins wrote:

Is it me, or does the outer casing look distorted?

If you need to replace the bar it's a body off job. Id check the pipes supplying the bar and if they aren't in great nick get them replaced at same time body is off

Took the plunge and bought a new ARB from Advanced factors.

Col wrote:

So at L/R prices that will be £1500.00 please, thank you very much Sir.

Cheers
Col

Tilz wrote:

Took the plunge and bought a new ARB from Advanced factors.

The right thing to do. These things never really "mend" properly so replacing means that at least you'll have that part out of your mind for a good while onwards.  2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

^^^ Agreed. Do it once and do it properly.

You replaced your front ARB on your TDV8 yourself didn't you, Wayne? Kev

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

Yeah agreed. I’d otherwise always worry about it. Hopefully have it fitted next week. Steering felt heavy so hopefully this is the fix that was needed.

Next jobs are the fluid changes for the transmission, transfer case and diffs!

knwatkins wrote:

^^^ Agreed. Do it once and do it properly.

You replaced your front ARB on your TDV8 yourself didn't you, Wayne?

Good lord, no! I'm not set up to do stuff like that. I've had a rear one replaced before now but done by a garage.  2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Ah fair enough. I don't know why I thought that  Kev

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