air spring DIY

[Hit Redline]

Originally Posted by bdriven

Alright, so one of my airsprings sounds just like a flat tire, so obviously is toast. I bought the two airsprings from Tischer for about $300.
I would like to replace them myself, has anybody here ever tried that??
Need some input/tips/help, cause brothers, I'm doing it....sometime next week that is....but doing it.
Thanks!!
2000 4.4i (E53)

What was the part number from Tischer? I just tried placing an order with them and its $337 for one air spring. I do have a 02 4.6 but assumed the air spring would be the same regardless of the model.

[Hit Redline]

Never mind. Some issue on there end. The part number I need is 37126750355 and it is 157.99. My local dealer wants over $300 for this part.

[Flying Dutchman]

Hi, can anybody tell me if changing this "pneumatic (air) spring" is a DIY job and do you need any specialized tools? Any idea how big of a job this is (time)? My rear left has got a leak and I need to change this, were thinking of doing it myself.

Thanks,
Raimond

[scchang]

Originally Posted by Flying Dutchman

Hi, can anybody tell me if changing this "pneumatic (air) spring" is a DIY job and do you need any specialized tools? Any idea how big of a job this is (time)? My rear left has got a leak and I need to change this, were thinking of doing it myself.

Thanks,
Raimond

I just completed this work yesterday thanks to the support of this thread. It is definitely a DIY. It took me two hours. Most of my time was spent removing the rear trim panels, jacking up the vehicle and removing the wheels. The TIS pdf on the first page of the thread is all that you need. Anything that is slightly unclear will become clear to you once you get started.

As far as tools, you need:

jack
jack stands
torque wrench
socket wrench
socket extension
10 mm socket to remove trim panel nuts
19 mm socket to remove wheel lugs
phillips head screwdriver
small adjustable wrench or box wrench for "banjo bolt"
small flat blade screwdriver to help remove retaining clips holding air spring from above
pliers to remove air spring retaining clip from below

Good luck!

EDIT: Don't forget to chock your front wheels before jacking!

[Flying Dutchman]

Thanks Scchang, that's a great help will keep you posted on the progress.
Raimond

[scchang]

Originally Posted by Flying Dutchman

Thanks Scchang, that's a great help will keep you posted on the progress.
Raimond

You're welcome. Please see edit to my post.

[Hit Redline]

OK, just replaced the driver side air spring today. This thread was a great help. It was very easy except for getting the new spring in, would help to have another person but I managed with my long arms.

Someone mentioned they didn't even need to remove the wheel for this job, but I don't see how that is possible. I tried with the wheel on and found no way of guiding the old spring out.

The spring is basically held on by 2 clips on top of the spring and one on the bottom.

[scchang]

Originally Posted by Hit Redline

OK, just replaced the driver side air spring today. This thread was a great help. It was very easy except for getting the new spring in, would help to have another person but I managed with my long arms.

Someone mentioned they didn't even need to remove the wheel for this job, but I don't see how that is possible. I tried with the wheel on and found no way of guiding the old spring out.

The spring is basically held on by 2 clips on top of the spring and one on the bottom.

I agree that doing this without removing the wheel would be very difficult if it were possible.

I was able to place the new spring by myself by compressing the spring, pushing it up and supporting it from the bottom with a roll of duct tape. I placed the upper two clips then removed the roll of tape, pulled the lower part of the spring down to engage the plastic bottom piece in the hole and placed the lower clip.

[rogerkiu]

Originally Posted by scchang

I agree that doing this without removing the wheel would be very difficult if it were possible.

I was able to place the new spring by myself by compressing the spring, pushing it up and supporting it from the bottom with a roll of duct tape. I placed the upper two clips then removed the roll of tape, pulled the lower part of the spring down to engage the plastic bottom piece in the hole and placed the lower clip.

What is the roll of tape? I just bought a pair of air spring and plan to do it in coming days, but I do not find any roll of tape on the new air springs. Please give me s hint on this. Thanks!

[Hit Redline]

Originally Posted by rogerkiu

What is the roll of tape? I just bought a pair of air spring and plan to do it in coming days, but I do not find any roll of tape on the new air springs. Please give me s hint on this. Thanks!

The roll of tape was just to temporally raise the spring so he could attach the top clips, this will be clear when you do the job. Its not a needed part to complete the job, just what he used to assist in the install.

Just follow the DIY on this thread and anything that is unclear will become clear as you proceed. GL