airbag suspension very weird issue

[andrewwynn]

I get any OEM from FCP euro

[Homerlovesbeer]

I got two Arnott bags from https://spareto.com/ all up airfreighted by DHL to Australia for a total of US $262 (Aus $402) including shipping. FCP sell them for US $298.94 a pair.

Bought locally here it would be anywhere from $350 - $500 a bag.

Only four days from ordering from Europe to on my door in Australia.

I am EXTREMELY impressed with Spareto.com

This is my 3rd major order from them, prices and service are simply the best.

https://spareto.com/products/arnott-...nsion-1/a-2504
https://spareto.com/products/arnott-...nsion-1/a-2503

[Homerlovesbeer]

Guys I'm stuck. I have the rear wheel off and the airbag disconnected moving freely however there isn't enough clearance between the arm and the body to get the bag out? It's still in the collapsed position i.e. fully compressed. I cannot extend the suspension to get the bag out. I even took the shock off which made no difference at all.

Suggestions?

[andrewwynn]

I always cut the air spring to deflate it more. I never understood why I couldn't compress it enough when it was just disconnected bit every time I changed one it became simple once I stabbed it with a utility knife

[Homerlovesbeer]

I need to EXTEND the suspension, not compress.

Anyway I used a piece of timber to extent it while fiddling around trying to pull the bag out.

Now I am pretty pissed off as one of the Arnott bags was missing the C clip that goes onto the hose at the top of the bag where air goes in. I thought "no worries, I'll just use the factory clip" but it does NOT secure the Arnott bag!

FFS now I've got my car in pieces and can't drive it because 1) Arnott made the fitting slightly different and 2) the Air line retention clip was missing from my right side bag!

[andrewwynn]

You can usually make a clip. Typically from a paperclip etc.

I was saying too make the spring smaller cut it into pieces if needed. In my case the new one ear always much shorter than the decompressed old one.

I know it's futile effort but air bags go off In a crash air springs hold up a car.

I'm not sure why people use the wrong term.

[Homerlovesbeer]

The "air spring" was more than compressed enough, there simply wasn't enough clearance to pull the thing out. The gap between the body and the rear arm that the spring sat on was less than the diameter of the metal part of the bag so there was no way to get the new bag into place even if I butchered the old one up to remove.

Using a long piece of Hardwood to lever between the body and the suspension and push the hub away from the body was the only way I could make enough room.

I solved the clip problem by taking the factory clip and sanding it down so the clip was flat at the bottom. After that the clip went home and problem solved!

I pulled out a Bilstein unit from the left rear with a build date of 2019 which looked excellent. The car would be lucky to have done 10,000km. Would it be worth selling?