:roll: Here we go... :doh:
Air Spring to Coil Conversion Job
Hello, I am new to the forums. I am in the process of an Air Spring to Coil Conversion on a 99 HSE.(Bags leaking etc..) Wanted to document my findings here.
I only have hand tools so this took quite a while, but I have another vehicle to drive
I purchased the StrutMasters kit with Shocks Included ($860 USD)
Got the front up on jack stands and proceeded to remove the wheel. It was way over tourqued. So back down then off to the local tire store to have them crack it. Once I got the wheel off I removed the brake line clip. Then disconnected the air hose at the stop of the air spring. Then Removed the top spring clips, then the nut on the bottom of the shock. Then I removed the lower bolt holding the airspring pin in. and Removed the pin. I was able to remove the air spring.
I then removed the upper shock bolt, and bolted in a new shock. At this point I had to install the Strutmaster spring perches (upper and lower) The upper perches go in via a type of sandwich plate.. Fairly Simple.. The bottoms really need to be re-designed by strutmasters. There is a bottom plate with a washer and a bolt, the bolt has to get onto a nut which has to be carefully placed in a very small area below the spring perch, after much swearing I had to balance the nut on a large flat head screwdriver and carefully start threading the bolt on it. Come to find out I then need to jam a 15/16th's crecent wrench in there to secure the nut while I tighten the bolt. Not easy and cost me at least an hour fighting with it.
After that mess, I had to remove the upper control arm endlink to allow the suspension to get low enough to get the spring in there without a spring compressor. Put another jack under the chassis to relieve tension on the endlink, then remove.
I lowered the axel and was able to get the spring in. THen jacked up the suspension and installed the lower shock bolt with the washers and rubber bushings. Re-installed the endlink and tightened. And made sure everything was put back together tight.
It took me about 4 hours the first side. The other side only took about an hour and 40 minutes.. Onto the rears tonite!
I only have hand tools so this took quite a while, but I have another vehicle to drive
I purchased the StrutMasters kit with Shocks Included ($860 USD)
Got the front up on jack stands and proceeded to remove the wheel. It was way over tourqued. So back down then off to the local tire store to have them crack it. Once I got the wheel off I removed the brake line clip. Then disconnected the air hose at the stop of the air spring. Then Removed the top spring clips, then the nut on the bottom of the shock. Then I removed the lower bolt holding the airspring pin in. and Removed the pin. I was able to remove the air spring.
I then removed the upper shock bolt, and bolted in a new shock. At this point I had to install the Strutmaster spring perches (upper and lower) The upper perches go in via a type of sandwich plate.. Fairly Simple.. The bottoms really need to be re-designed by strutmasters. There is a bottom plate with a washer and a bolt, the bolt has to get onto a nut which has to be carefully placed in a very small area below the spring perch, after much swearing I had to balance the nut on a large flat head screwdriver and carefully start threading the bolt on it. Come to find out I then need to jam a 15/16th's crecent wrench in there to secure the nut while I tighten the bolt. Not easy and cost me at least an hour fighting with it.
After that mess, I had to remove the upper control arm endlink to allow the suspension to get low enough to get the spring in there without a spring compressor. Put another jack under the chassis to relieve tension on the endlink, then remove.
I lowered the axel and was able to get the spring in. THen jacked up the suspension and installed the lower shock bolt with the washers and rubber bushings. Re-installed the endlink and tightened. And made sure everything was put back together tight.
It took me about 4 hours the first side. The other side only took about an hour and 40 minutes.. Onto the rears tonite!
1 - 20 of 24 Posts
Where are you Ragj?
I'll give you $50 for that unreliable EAS box under the bonnet and the big thing under the sill.
I'll give you $50 for that unreliable EAS box under the bonnet and the big thing under the sill.
Not a fan of coil conversions I surmise?Rich998a said::roll: Here we go... :doh:
I'm in the states.. that may be a deal breaker..Tim (Scotland) said:Where are you Ragj?
I'll give you $50 for that unreliable EAS box under the bonnet and the big thing under the sill.
Whereabouts?ragj1976 said:I'm in the states.. that may be a deal breaker..Tim (Scotland) said:Where are you Ragj?
I'll give you $50 for that unreliable EAS box under the bonnet and the big thing under the sill.
I'm sure there will be somebody else willing to give you $50 for the box and the tank.
Whereabouts?Tim (Scotland) said:I'm in the states.. that may be a deal breaker..ragj1976 said:[quote="Tim (Scotland)":3jw3g9ue]Where are you Ragj?
I'll give you $50 for that unreliable EAS box under the bonnet and the big thing under the sill.
I'm sure there will be somebody else willing to give you $50 for the box and the tank.[/quote:3jw3g9ue]
Rhode Island, Maybe I will craigslist it.. Thanks.. Didn't know they were in demand.
Too easy.. Get yourself a Defender and convert that to airsprings! Pffff.... :wink:
Well there's plenty of cheap air kit floating around...Stephen J said:Too easy.. Get yourself a Defender and convert that to airsprings! Pffff.... :wink:
Well there's plenty of cheap air kit floating around...[/quote:n39fjwo1]Tim (Scotland) said:[quote="Stephen J":n39fjwo1]Too easy.. Get yourself a Defender and convert that to airsprings! Pffff.... :wink:
:lol:
The rears are really killing me. I can't get the drivers side airspring out of the top mount.. it just doesn't want to give.. I'll have to get the roto zip and try to cut the top mount from the bottom. Of course the cotter pin holding it in snapped. More to follow.
Pardon the lack of sympathy, but this thread is like you talking us through the gory details of hacking off your legs (slowly) as ur sneakers were worn out and in you infinite wisdom you thought it best to invest in some prosthetic limbs.
I give up :doh:
I give up :doh:
Fair Enough. No more updates.
updates or downdates?ragj1976 said:Fair Enough. No more updates.
No more updates??!! Darn, I was about to be convinced to change to springs! //bashmode off//
not that I like conversions, but I am willing to help those in need.ragj1976 said:The rears are really killing me. I can't get the drivers side airspring out of the top mount.. it just doesn't want to give.. I'll have to get the roto zip and try to cut the top mount from the bottom. Of course the cotter pin holding it in snapped. More to follow.
I use an 18" 3/8 extension, set it sqare against the bit sticking through the frame and whack it with a wooden mallet (the 18'' bar keeps the hammer away from the bodywork..) that should jar it lose, then you can bend the remaining part of the R clip out of the way to pull it down.
Make sure she's on sturdy stands or it may drop on your arm/head as vengance for the castration...
Ragj you can keep updating us, but expect to get a lot of hate mail. Most of us on this forum are against switching to standard coil springs.
Personally I can't blame you, the air ride can be unreliable (just like the entire vehicle!) it's easier to eliminate the EAS and avoid any furthor headaches. I was left stranded by my EAS 500 miles from home. That was not a fun sunday!
When it comes down to it, dealing with the frustrations of Rover ownership is the price of luxury! (atleast that's what I keep telling myself everytime something goes wrong with my Rover.)
I thought long and hard about switching my rover to coils, but I was able to fix my EAS rather simply. As frustrating as the EAS can be, I still love it.
That's what's great about all this, IT'S YOUR ROVER do what you want to it, and make it a project and it will easily become the love and hate of your life!
I hope you are happy converting your rover to coils. I don't know if you get a computer override system with your strutmaster setup. you can get one at http://www.roverparts.com/Parts/SD8007.cfm the override will eliminate any annoying EAS fault messages associated with the coil springs.
Personally I can't blame you, the air ride can be unreliable (just like the entire vehicle!) it's easier to eliminate the EAS and avoid any furthor headaches. I was left stranded by my EAS 500 miles from home. That was not a fun sunday!
When it comes down to it, dealing with the frustrations of Rover ownership is the price of luxury! (atleast that's what I keep telling myself everytime something goes wrong with my Rover.)
I thought long and hard about switching my rover to coils, but I was able to fix my EAS rather simply. As frustrating as the EAS can be, I still love it.
That's what's great about all this, IT'S YOUR ROVER do what you want to it, and make it a project and it will easily become the love and hate of your life!
I hope you are happy converting your rover to coils. I don't know if you get a computer override system with your strutmaster setup. you can get one at http://www.roverparts.com/Parts/SD8007.cfm the override will eliminate any annoying EAS fault messages associated with the coil springs.
All the rovers I have had, Ive done air, ive done coils. I maintained, I fixed monthly. Look dude, keep posting. Someone that doesnt have time to tinker , money, and patients to repair would be good for them to go coil. When I had mines in College full time and working a full time job you bet your GOLLY FREAKIN BUTTOCK I was riding on coils. It was one less thing to deal with in life at that time. Now that im older, yes I think differenltly but back then and depending on people situations, it Varys. I would never knock someone for doing whatever they want to make there care as realiable as possible. Whether you are on coils or air, having had both, you still have a great sense of command of the road, and for what most rovers do, great control over almost any terrain. But you do lose that cool feature, something about letting the car down to let your girl get inside always makes them go Awwwwwww.. Better than opening the door for them
you only need 2 bits of wire to do the same thing, don't spend on that computer.HSE_Rover_4_Life said:I hope you are happy converting your rover to coils. I don't know if you get a computer override system with your strutmaster setup. you can get one at http://www.roverparts.com/Parts/SD8007.cfm the override will eliminate any annoying EAS fault messages associated with the coil springs.
1 - 20 of 24 Posts
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