DIY for front air struts

[LeMansX5]

Having hard time finding a 2 mm thin 18 mm wrench at a local store. On hold till I find.

[TwinTurboGTR]

S,

Do you think you can get Needle nose pliers in there? At least to give you some leverage to break the bolt free?

[SlickGT1]

Go to a bike shop. A bicycle shop. Get said wrench there.

And yes, needle nose will work taking it off, putting it back on is going to be the issue. You really don't need much force to get it off.

[civdiv99]

Originally Posted by SlickGT1

Pull the emergency chord in trunk to open hatch. Then insert relay from the back. Lol.

So civ where is that relay. I must know this for future.

If you have EHC2 (4whl self-level), then your system doesn't use the 30 amp fuse. If you have EHC2, then your compressor system is a 50 amp fused circuit. In front of the spare tire is a fuse block. Pop off the white cover and note the 50 amp fuse (designated F204) with red/blue wire. Trace that wire and you will see that it goes to your air system compressor assy, no detours. If you have this system then your relay (designated K126) is under the compressor housing. It is still removable, just more work.

See the attached pics; note the red/blue wire.

Note: If you have EHC2 AND your sticker on the back of the passenger side rear cover (fuse block and subwoofer cover) says that fuse 87 (30A) is your air suspension, it's lying to you. Very easy to pull the white cover in front of the spare and see for yourself.

[LeMansX5]

Thanks guys. Found the wrench at bicycle store.

The bottom bolt is a bitch to unscrew.

[SlickGT1]

Which bottom, the endlink?

[TwinTurboGTR]

Yeah I think thats what he is referring to. Now I can't remember where it connects to.

[LeMansX5]

Originally Posted by SlickGT1

Which bottom, the endlink?

The bottom of the two rusty ones on left in the pic below. Tight room there.

[TwinTurboGTR]

Ahh, strut on to hub carrier. Yeah those are on there tight. Spray PB blaster on them and let sit. Use a breaker bar and some pipe to break it free. Sometimes the bolt will turn without taking the rest of it with it. If the whole thing starts spinning, then use 6 pt socket and wrench to counter the spin and crack the bolt off.

[SlickGT1]

Turn your wheels baby. Get an extension to clear the rotor. Put wrench on. One hand to steady the extension, one hand on the wrench. Should have enough leverage to break it loose with a 2' breaker.

If you have impact gun. Turn wheels, put on impact. Done.