DIY for front air struts
 

We have threads on this topic here and there but no proper DIY in "How To's" section. I am doing mine and taking pics and will do a proper DIY in Articles section

I am replacing the passenger side air strut with Arnott's rebuilt air strut. I removed the fuses 79 and 87. I removed the wheel.

I check the air bag, feels no air inside(as against driver side which is tight), so I assume this is already done. I start removing the end link nut, and all of a sudden I hear hissing and touch the airbag and it feels tight and filled with air :confused: ???? Shouldn't the removed fuses stop the filing of air?

Arnott's (inadequate)instructions say remove yellow cable from "Air system manifold" in underbody. Where is that?

Shall I just disconnect the battery?

I think there is another fuse that needs to be pulled. I forget which one. Also, when the banjo bolt is removed, I think it is supposed to let the air release and then remove it. The fuse that is missing is the compressor fuse.

Here is the Fuse listing with fuse 79 and 87 removed.

Pull out the purple relay on left. That's it.

Pulled the relay out.
Any trick to opening the endlink nut, the whole(nut and bolt) thing keeps moving. Any thing in back to hold on to. Very little room there.

Hmmm, well I know those two bolts for the hub carrier to the strut are good. But that end link was a pain. The only combo I found that worked was using a 1 1/2" extension and a 12 point 16 MM socket. It was still tight, the a 12 point was thin enough to just get on the top of the nut. But my passenger side was more of a bear. Seemed like it was tighter up against the strut and I basically had to soak it in PB Blaster and then lightly tap the socket in and get just enough to spin it off.

Thanks guys.
Talked to member Pureveil and there are indents behind the nut as pointed with vertical arrow below and it uses 20 or 21 mm wrench. Of all the wrenches, those are the ones I do not have. Time for trip to store

The nut on the front uses 18 mm socket. Mine is 4.8is. Not sure if its different on others.

Yup 18 you are right. Did not now about the 22mm nut behind though. I guess mine was seized because it didn't spin.

Are you making a DIY on this, like all complete in the articles section? Because I need to do this to the 4.8is now, I was going to make one sometime this week..

Yes, I am taking pics and will do complete DIY for Articles section.

Endlink nut, the one you have the left arrow pointing to, is 17mm open end skinny wrench. A regular will fit, but you will rip the endlink balljoint boot. I didn't have a skinny one, so I took a spare 17mm and put it through my table grinder. That made it skinny. You will need to hold that nut when installing anyway. Pm me if you want me to send it to you. You can make this yourself too. I will check my garage later to verify size when I get home tonight. A bicycle multy wrench also fits, and might have just enough grip for you to remove.

Pretty sure it's 17mm or 19mm. Hang tight I'll let you know soon.