air bag struts....

[loonyrobert]

where to get air bag struts for real cheap let me know.....

[V8_Aristo]

http://www.easystreetair.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=57

[loonyrobert]

your the greatest v8 aristo ill post picks of the galant they are going on when its done!!! :uglystupid2:

[V8_Aristo]

Glad I can help, I'm actually running the same equipment on my car.

[Pagong]

Glad I can help, I'm actually running the same equipment on my car.


Which one do you have V8 aristo?

[V8_Aristo]

Which one do you have V8 aristo?


I have the Auto Pilot air management and the Chapman universal strut.

[Bigkahuna808]

How is the ride? And how much up and down can you go?

[V8_Aristo]

How is the ride?* And how much up and down can you go?


The ride is soft, almost like stock, but just a tad stiffer. I don't know if they redesigned the struts yet, but each strut has a load capacity of 900lbs. If you do the math, that's at it's limits on a heavy car. I have audio in the trunk and it takes almost the max. pressure to lift.

The bags have 4 inches of travel from full deflate to full inflate.

[Pagong]

I really think Im going to need air with where my car is going.

Thier prices are really good compared to other companies...especially the digital air management system they have.

[Caoboy]

I really think Im going to need air with where my car is going.

Thier prices are really good compared to other companies...especially the digital air management system they have.


yeha i was looking at that too....im wondering how much fabbing you have to do? v8_aristo let us know...

[V8_Aristo]

It was actually pretty simple.....

The top part of the strut just slips in to the stock spring perch, the only thing I had to fabricate there is a thicker metal sleeve since the factory strut has a bigger stud. The bottom is a little harder, I had to find a long pipe to extend the supplied pipe since the whole assemble was a little short (specially the rear). Then I welded a plate on the bottom of the pipe, I did this so I can have a solid piece that I can weld the bottom mount of the factory strut (which I cut of the factory strut).

http://www.easystreetair.com/Images/75592L.jpg

http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/medium/DSC00834.jpg

On a GS, the bag will rub on the inner part of the wheel wells. I had to cut off the old ABS bracket and relocate it, I also needed to pound a few lumps down in the same location.

[Caoboy]

i see...so if we dont have a welder...it would be better to have someone just put this in.

[V8_Aristo]

i see...so if we dont have a welder...it would be better to have someone just put this in.


Not really, to do simple work like this will cost you an arm and a leg. Just find yourself a welder/metal guy and do the work, you will save and have the satisfaction of building it. Another advantage of working on it yourself is, you will know where all the parts are and will be easier for you to diagnose all future problems.

[Pagong]

Pictures are coming up red X's.

But I agree with V8Aristo about doing it yourself.

When I installed the JIC's I found out that changing the suspension on an LS is easier than I thought. Now i can chalk that up to my
experience points. :D

With air, im pretty sure its better to do it yourself, that way you know where your lines are and like V8 said "diagnose" the car if something goes wrong.

[gato]

V8_Aristo, this stuff looks pretty good...

how long have you had it?

I'm actually in the market for air, and will consider it. nothing wrong with a little fabrication ;)

my question to you is......while actually driving the car, can you ride pretty dumped ( tucking tire) and not be bouncing all over the road?

excuse me if it's a dumb question.....but before the coilovers I had a pair of air struts on the lex and it was a night mare....if you slammed it all the way ( wich wasn't even low) it would bounce like hell...... is this set up totally diffrent?

[Dominik]

When I installed the JIC's I found out that changing the suspension on an LS is easier than I thought.


But if i recall...

Gosh dang! this JIC install was a little tougher than I thought.


:D:D:D

[Pagong]

Yeah I know, i posted the tougher because it was the same day after the install.
And I posted the other because now I know how to do it...lol

[V8_Aristo]

V8_Aristo, this stuff looks pretty good...

how long have you had it?

I'm actually in the market for air, and will consider it. nothing wrong with a little fabrication ;)

my question to you is......while actually driving the car, can you ride pretty dumped ( tucking tire) and not be bouncing all over the road?

excuse me if it's a dumb question.....but before the coilovers I had a pair of air struts on the lex and it was a night mare....if you slammed it all the way ( wich wasn't even low) it would bounce like hell...... is this set up totally diffrent?


I've had this system now for almost a year, and it seems to be holding up well. I actually had a problem the second week I had it on, but that was totally my fault. After my little incident, it's been trouble and maintenance free. I really can't try running with no air in my system since it's almost laid out at that point. I have however ran about 40% from full inflate before, and the ride is not half bad. As you know bags are basically springs as far as it's duty for the suspension. With more air, the higher and stiffer the bag gets, and less air will get you the opposite. Having less and less air in the bag will make the ride softer and softer as you release pressure.

[firelizard]

I know you already talked about how you lengthened the tube and welded to the cut off stock strut mount but was that pretty much all you did for mounting the strut?
In other words, pretty much all that needs to be done is welding the air strut between the upper mounting plate and the lower stock strut mount?

[V8_Aristo]

I know you already talked about how you lengthened the tube and welded to the cut off stock strut mount but was that pretty much all you did for mounting the strut?
In other words, pretty much all that needs to be done is welding the air strut between the upper mounting plate and the lower stock strut mount?



Yup

[firelizard]

I've got another question
Are used tanks, compressors, solenoids etc. (everything but the struts/bags) safe/cost effective?

[V8_Aristo]

I've got another question
Are used tanks, compressors, solenoids etc. (everything but the struts/bags) safe/cost effective?


The only thing I would buy used is the tank, everything else will wear as soon as it's used.

[lookinco]

I don't know why but the air suspension seems to be giving me a very stiff ride.

I am running the universal Air struts upfront and firestone bags in the rear. I usually ride at around 60~80psi upfront and 80~100psi in the rear.

I don't know if it's because my van is heavy. If I put too little air pressure, it would bottom out easily. Then if i put more pressure, it becomes quite stiff...

>:(

[V8_Aristo]

I don't know why but the air suspension seems to be giving me a very stiff ride.

I am running the universal Air struts upfront and firestone bags in the rear. I usually ride at around 60~80psi upfront and 80~100psi in the rear.

I don't know if it's because my van is heavy. If I put too little air pressure, it would bottom out easily. Then if i put more pressure, it becomes quite stiff...

>:(


Hmmm....I run higher pressure than you, and mine never really gets too stiff. Our car might have the same weight, but I'm using sleeve bags and not the bellow style.

[lookinco]

I have the sleeve type bags up front and the double bellow in the rear. I am thinking maybe it's my shocks, but then there's really no easy way to test it out.

[viplife]

It was actually pretty simple.....

http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/medium/DSC00834.jpg



Are the struts floating in the lower bracket? meaning the weight of the vehicle holds them in?

I was curious as I've noticed the more expensive ones out there offer a press-in lower "pipe."

Your strut looks like it will accept a press-in fitting, but maybe you had to use something different because the supplied piece wasn't long enough?

Thanks.

[V8_Aristo]

Are the struts floating in the lower bracket?* meaning the weight of the vehicle holds them in?

I was curious as I've noticed the more expensive ones out there offer a press-in lower "pipe."

Your strut looks like it will accept a press-in fitting, but maybe you had to use something different because the supplied piece wasn't long enough?

Thanks.



Nope, these are no frills, no thrills, kinda struts. ;D

They did suppy an extension pipe, but it was too short. I did an extension before mounting my lower bracket.

[viplife]

I had to find a long pipe to extend the supplied pipe since the whole assemble was a little short


is the extention pipe welded to the air strut body?

[V8_Aristo]

is the extention pipe welded to the air strut body?


The extension pipe I used is a snug fit on the inside of the supplied pipe and it's length starts from the bottom of the strut to the bottom mount. I then welded both pipes together.

[viplife]

The extension pipe I used is a snug fit on the inside of the supplied pipe and it's length starts from the bottom of the strut to the bottom mount. I then welded both pipes together.


got it. thanks.

[byhi]

sorry for the late and ulta noob question, but are you running only air suspension in the rear? Sorry again for the insane noob question.

[byhi]

sorry what i meant to say is that did you buy 2 strut sets and 2 air compressor kits?

[V8_Aristo]

sorry what i meant to say is that did you buy 2 strut sets and 2 air compressor kits?


Sorry byhi, I didn't know this question was meant for me since I didn't check the previous page.

Yes, I did buy 2 sets of the Chapman univesal struts, but only one Auto Pilot digital air management. It's only a couple more weeks till it's a year old and so far I never really had a problem with it.

[ramblux]

Sorry byhi, I didn't know this question was meant for me since I didn't check the previous page.

Yes, I did buy 2 sets of the Chapman univesal struts, but only one Auto Pilot digital air management. It's only a couple more weeks till it's a year old and so far I never really had a problem with it.


How much does your car weigh? I only ask because those bags are only rated at 900 pounds each.

[V8_Aristo]

How much does your car weigh? I only ask because those bags are only rated at 900 pounds each.


Curb weight is 3690lbs, I was also concerned about this spec. I did talk to a tech from Air Lift (Easy Street), and he told me those numbers are very conservative.

[Pagong]

V8_Aristo:

Is this the kit you have?
http://www.easystreetair.com/images/27630l.jpg

I think Im going with air...adjusting the coilovers everytime is not something Im looking forward to...and with my kit, i want the adjustability to be instant.

As far as air struts go, are these the ones you went with?
http://www.easystreetair.com/Images/75592L.jpg

Thanks

[V8_Aristo]

V8_Aristo:

Is this the kit you have?

I think Im going with air...adjusting the coilovers everytime is not something Im looking forward to...and with my kit, i want the adjustability to be instant.


Yup, that's what I have on the car. I'm a little concerned about you using the same struts though, since weight is already an issue with mine. I know a custom coilover strut over bag might be a little too much, but that is actually the best set-up. If you want to save a few bucks, you can also mount those AeroSport bag on factory or after-market struts.

Let me know what set-up sounds best to you and I can probably go through what needs to be done.

[Pagong]

Yup, that's what I have on the car. I'm a little concerned about you using the same struts though, since weight is already an issue with mine. I know a custom coilover strut over bag might be a little too much, but that is actually the best set-up. If you want to save a few bucks, you can also mount those AeroSport bag on factory or after-market struts.

Let me know what set-up sounds best to you and I can probably go through what needs to be done.


I forgot about the max weight of those struts....
But anyhow, how would I go about doing the aerosport bags on factory struts?
When I replaced my struts with the JIC's I found out that the previous owner actually replaced them with KYB's.... :) No wonder for a 16 year old car it rode like it was new.! I was pleasantly surprised.

[V8_Aristo]

I forgot about the max weight of those struts....
But anyhow, how would I go about doing the aerosport bags on factory struts?*
When I replaced my struts with the JIC's I found out that the previous owner actually replaced them with KYB's.... :)* No wonder for a 16 year old car it rode like it was new.!* I was pleasantly surprised.

It's actually pretty simple to do, most of your time will me spent measuring since it's going to be non-adjustable. AeroSport bags come with a lower mounting plate, the only other piece you are going to need is a collar. The collar will be welded on to the mounting plate at one end, and the other end welded to strut perch. The best way to check your measurements is to tack weld the mounting plate to the collar and have the collar sit on the perch. Then assemble everything, and check if you like the height. After that, take everything apart and fully weld the collar at both ends.

http://www.showtimehydraulics.com/art/air_strut.jpg

[Pagong]

I see how that works.... :)

Does aerosport have a site were I can order these?

[V8_Aristo]

I see how that works.... :)

Does aerosport have a site were I can order these?


Ask, and you shall receive ;D

http://www.universalairsuspension.com/store/product_reviews_info.php?products_id=29&reviews_id=3&osCsid=d43cd1e5c9a664ac8bfebc9da516e9e6

One more thing, you might want to measure around the strut to see if you have room for the bags.

[Pagong]

okay!
Do you mean, when the bag compresses?

This is going to be fun.... :D

[V8_Aristo]

This actually explains everything.....

http://www.universalairsuspension.com/pdf/bagstrut.pdf

What I mean by room, is the space you're going to need since the diameter of the bag is bigger than the diameter of the stock springs (I think ???)