If the engines are generally very solid in the
L322 Range Rover
, the running gear can be more problematic. The car tips the scales at anything from 2435kg up to 2710kg, depending on the model. This means the air-sprung suspension - with MacPherson struts at the front and double wishbones at the rear - gets a real work out.
The first thing to check is that the air suspension works properly. There are three height settings, chosen with the selector on the console behind the gear lever. When chosen, the car should rise or fall accordingly quickly, smoothly and quietly. The suspension should also lower automatically at 60mph to make the car more stable and aerodynamic. Also make sure the suspension stays at the chosen height when parked to prove there are no leaks in the system.
If the suspension is not working as it should, the most likely culprit is the air compressor that lives in the boot. It’s buried under the boot in the spare wheel well and difficult to see to assess its condition. Water can get into it and cause faults, so many owners regard it as a service item that needs replacing every four years.
Next up, check the rear hub bushes for wear, which is usually heard as a clonk over bumps. Specialist tools are needed to separate the bushes from the hub, but replacement will improve the drive of the car noticeably. Also look for signs of worn ball joints in both the front and rear suspension. Fitting larger wheels is common among Range Rover owners, but anything over 20 inches will quicken wear in the suspension.
One of the most common problems with the L322 is front differential wear or failure. However, it’s not the differential at fault but the propshaft’s coupling that wears, leaving the car with no drive to the front axle. Many will have been replaced under warranty or goodwill, but check the service history to be sure a new flexible joint that cures the problem.
Every L322 has disc brakes all round, with 344mm front discs and 354mm rears fitted until 2005, then 360mm front discs with 354mm rears from then on. The supercharged models gain six-piston Brembo front calipers and 380mm front discs with 365mm discs at the back. The discs and pads should last around 30,000 miles on most Range Rovers, though harder driving will significantly shorten their lifespan.
The rack and pinion steering should be trouble free and accurate, though it’s worth bearing in mind the Range Rover is a large SUV rather than a sports car when assessing its feel. Some owners find it vague while others reckon it’s very precise, but much depends on your experience and expectations. A turning circle of 11.6m is okay for an SUV of this size.
Wheels started off with 18-inch alloys for the original 2002 models with 255/60 R18 tyres. Land Rover has offered 19-, 20- and even 21-inch wheels as optional equipment, with the Vogue and Autobiography versions gaining larger wheels as standard. A replacement set of tyres will cost between £600 and £1200 depending on size, make and intended use – mud and snow, off-road or on-road sports.
Owner's view:
"Keep your cool with dealers and they will get the jobs sorted out eventually, but don’t let them mug you off. Ring various approved Land Rover dealers for service prices and you can save an easy £100."
Paul Colton