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!
