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  #1  
Old 03-14-2019, 06:17 AM
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Air struts converted to springs

Hi guys...I have a 2005 4.8is...four corner air suspention and its driving me nuts ...and broke...so have decided to convert to conventional struts and springs....here in New Zealand I have good access to second hand parts...so what I'm looking for is a list of exactly what I need...and any additional help from anyone who has done this before.

The front replacement seems easy enough...just buy the whole stut/spring assembly and bolt it in...for the rears I will need the springs...and the mounting rubber bits top and bottom...it that correct..??...any experience and confirm would be awesome...cheers

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Old 03-14-2019, 09:00 AM
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You will need software to code out the error message
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Old 03-14-2019, 10:16 AM
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As CF says above, you will need the software to code the air suspension out so the light goes off once you remove it but with regard to the change it’s pretty straight forward.

Not suggesting that you buy this kit but looking at it should give you a good idea what you’ll need to grab off the donor car:

https://m.autozone.com/suspension-st..._0_0?location=

Looks like the top mounting plates, bump stops and mounting hardware for the rear and as you said, the front is pretty mush straight forward.

I also found a handful of videos on YouTube that may help you out.

I would also say take some good pics under your car and take those with you to the parts yard, you can compare those to the donor and help yourself out a ton with what you may be missing that it has.

All in all it’s a pretty “easy” job - good luck!


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Old 03-14-2019, 06:32 PM
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Im currently in the same boat and as much as id like the Bilstein and Eibach setup on a rather tight budget currently !


I didnt know if all the OEM front struts were the same (different engine weights and different wheels sizes).


If they are ill get down my scrap yard and get a full front setup !
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Old 03-14-2019, 07:42 PM
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I believe that they are all the same.

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Old 03-15-2019, 04:39 AM
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Has any one done a spring conversion...some first had experience would be great...and my local indy is also the local BMW service agent....so BMW serive at half the price...so they day coding out the inactive message is no problem.

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Old 03-18-2019, 12:41 PM
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So front strut/springs should arrive in about a week...but an having trouble finding rear springs...so does anyone know if it is possible to replace just the front air struts and leave the rear air springs until I get some normal springs..???...any advice or help would be great...cheers

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Old 03-18-2019, 01:35 PM
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I know I was all for swapping out the rear air on the 2001 I bought since it wasn't working but I am SOOO glad I didn't after fixing it.

Even with just the rear air it rides so much smoother over bad sufaces than the normal springs to me. Something to consider before swapping out.

I have an E53 with all normal springs and the rear air 2001 E53 rides much better. I can just imagine how well the 4 wheel air suspension rides.
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Old 03-18-2019, 02:37 PM
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I have replaced it with Strutmasters, it rides well and sits in medium setting.
I have not coded the software so it does show the self level suspension error message.

hope this helps.
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Old 03-18-2019, 03:24 PM
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I do love e the air suspention...but after speeding $2000 dollars in the last month...and things keep going wrong one after another...I have to swap them out....its my wife's daily driver ....happy wife happy life...she is over all the hassle.

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