Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - 12:00 am, by: Jack Oliver(Lexussc400)
i have a sc400 limited and i have a slight problem with my airbag suspension. when i park my car and turn it off the front left of the car drops right down as low as it can go i suspect it has a air leak somewere?? any ideas on were the airleak would be from?
also on my soarer hight controller sometimes it does not work unless a twist the wires that plug into the controller then it will make a click noise and work i have heard this is a common problem how do i fix this?
Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - 12:57 pm, by: Jack Oliver(Lexussc400)
ok are you guys sure it is that as it only drops about half an inch an hour. i wouldnt worry about it but i am just about to put a body kit on it and i am worryed that when it drops right down that the front bumper will get crushed. could it just be a slow leak in the conection from the line to the bag or something like that?
Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - 01:25 pm, by: Joe Russell(Joe_r)
I don't know what the problem is Jack, but there are some well priced struts on trademe at the moment, I'd be happy to assist with buying and shipping if you need mate. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=223906952 Or as previously said, you could go to coilovers.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - 08:35 pm, by: Jack Oliver(Lexussc400)
i am not going to coilovers i like my airbags they are awesome and i can get a front airbag strut for $300 so there is no way i would pay 1300 to switch to coils. but for now i dont think im going to worry about it as the leak is very slow. can someone please tell me how to find out for sure how to find out were the airleak is coming from?
Thursday, June 18, 2009 - 06:26 am, by: Scott Tolhurst(Whottwally)
Take off the tems cover on top of strut and squirt a little soapy water around top of strut and around the fitting where air line goes in on the inside of strut tower
Thursday, June 18, 2009 - 07:21 am, by: Matthew Sharpe(Madmatt)
I think you'd be surprised at how much more awesome a good set of coilovers are! Sure they aren't electically adjustable, but you can get a much better handling car out of them.
Thursday, June 18, 2009 - 08:32 am, by: Scott Tolhurst(Whottwally)
I will be able to tell you next week when i install my set of coils. For the cost there is no point replacing the air bags. if one front has worn out the others will follow before long. As they aren't able to be rebuilt you will need to replace all 4 at some stage
Thursday, June 18, 2009 - 11:10 am, by: Jack Oliver(Lexussc400)
i will do what you said today scott and see if i can see the leak. i know coils are ment to be good but my car isnt a race car im not going for handleing really just like a car that has lots of options and i really like the airsuspension with the height controller as i can drop it right down and that. also is there only one airline going into the top of the strut?
Thursday, June 18, 2009 - 04:42 pm, by: David Eberhart(Orphan)
I have the same problem, my front right has a slow leak so for now im living with it and will buy a second hand unit to get by but if another fails I will just put coils in it and ditch the air compressor equipment etc and save a good 50kg
Thursday, June 18, 2009 - 07:52 pm, by: David Eberhart(Orphan)
I'll take the lot for free shipped to my door You can get higher single unit prices selling them seperately but as a set could be easier to sell all as someone may wish to get a full new set. If you sell them as single units i'm interested in front right as well as the height controller.
Friday, June 19, 2009 - 05:51 am, by: Scott Tolhurst(Whottwally)
Air line goes in the side of strut. Between engine and strut tower you will see the line it goes thru a rubber grommet it is hard to tell if that's where its leaking will more likely be the top.
Friday, June 19, 2009 - 12:10 pm, by: Jack Oliver(Lexussc400)
i have sprayed soapy water on the top of the strut cant see any leaks there and have also sprayed water on the air line conection and doesnt seem to be leaking there. maybe as it is a very slow leak it will be hard to see i guess is there any other places it could be leaking ? maybe at ther compressor??
Friday, June 26, 2009 - 06:53 am, by: Scott Tolhurst(Whottwally)
After installing my BC coilovers last night i would not go back to airbags. I got a whole set of coilovers for less than the price of one new air strut and there is nothing wrong with the ride quality.
Friday, June 26, 2009 - 01:46 pm, by: Jack Oliver(Lexussc400)
yes i beleive that would be true but there is many downsides of having coils instead of airbags. and i agree going to coils just elimanates many problems and weight but i dont think i could let go of the airbags the car rides great with them very very smooth and with my height controller i can drop the car down so low witch will look awesome once i get my vertex kit installed. i just love them and now that i have had a good look at the bags they are all in good condition none are leaking the leaking is coming from somewere infront of the frontright wheel i would say. so gives me no good reason to get rid of them really.
also while im on the matter has anyone had problems with there front bags leaking from the filter or what not infront of the front right wheel? if so could yas give me a little idea on what it would be instead if me pulling everything apart?
Friday, June 26, 2009 - 03:59 pm, by: Andrew Duaso(Andrewd)
i got a completely new air system now, the ride is like a brandnew car, the floaty squishy feeling is gone and you can not tell your riding on bags, thing is though it rides great at all heights, and handles nothing like before even with the tems on... although i do miss the super super soft ride of worn 20yo shocks...
full accel and braking there is no squat or dive, there's barley any body roll, fells like i've upgraded the swaybars, steering is precise now... yet at a touch of some buttons it can be at any ride height you like...
get coil overs you say.... ok... but i brought my car specifically cos of the air, and wouldnt part with it for anything, the emv i liked too.... but my old 7" 2din pioneer 6dvd stacker well i think that wold be way better but anyway....
Monday, June 29, 2009 - 12:54 am, by: Jack Oliver(Lexussc400)
hey andrew i fully agree i love the airbags. i would love to get new bags all round only one thing stoping me MONEY haha how much did it set you back to get all new bags? i have a double din dvd in my car its great i like how the emv is touch screen and fits onto the dash alot better though. is your emv in jap? what are they like to use as i have never used one?
also did you replace anything else like filter compressor etc? reason im asking this is might be interested in buying some of those parts off you if you have them.
Monday, June 29, 2009 - 01:03 am, by: Andrew Duaso(Andrewd)
cost lots lol
emv is mostly in jap, but i only use it for the heating controls i have a seperate stereo...
i have 4 tems airbag struts and a height controller... i havent got around to putting it on ebay yet... i suppose the factory compressor and ecu and whatever else could come out too, but atm i cbf
Monday, June 29, 2009 - 09:56 pm, by: Jack Oliver(Lexussc400)
how is the factory compressor and that still in the car? im lost haha is it a compleatly different setup than stock? did you buy a whole kit or something?