Monday, October 30, 2006 - 06:16 am, by: Gary Chasney(Pommie)
Hi guys, i know it has probably been covered in heaps of other posts but i have a couple of problems,
1. the compressor on the drivers side front makes unhealthy noises when pumping, 2.the rear raises quickly, followed by the passenger front, but the drivers side front takes a while to raise. 3.when it is on low setting the drivers side front is a lot softer than the passenger side front?
i took it to a local well known place and he said all my airbags are shot,but when i adjust the ride height both sides stay exactly the same height, just a little curious as to why they would think all 4 airbags are in need of replacement, i can understand that maybe the drivers front does as it is a lot softer when lowered than the other three, just looking for a little advice, as he told me i might as well go with coilovers all round than replace all 4 airbags??
Tuesday, November 07, 2006 - 03:17 pm, by: Gregg Holden(Xzotic)
I'd also take some of these suggestions from "suspension experts" with a grain of salt. Most don't understand the airbag setup/capabilities on the Soarer and seem more interested in selling you a set of coilovers than dealing with something they either don't know enough about or don't want to know...
I personally was surprised that a well known and respected suspension workshop in Perth this week admitted that they don't know how to diagnose the Soarer airbags and said that all they ever do is take them out and swap them with coilovers...
They seemed totally perplexed why anyone would want to put the airbags back in, which again in my mind is merely showing their ignorance.
After that experience I ran it past Joe (Mobile Masters - Soarer specialist) and of course he was more than happy to accommodate. I don't know why I didn't just ask him first...first class service and advice every time...
Thursday, November 09, 2006 - 06:27 pm, by: Damian Ware(Frozenpod)
One thing to remember is how good the car will be once you do a suspension rebuild. If you calculate that into your cost it will probably be very good for the remaining life of the car and if you are planning on keeping it I think it is well worth while. You will have a great car to drive that is smooth and quite. You will also know that nothing is going to go wrong because it was already fixed.
I personally think buying any car older than about 10 years and not expecting to need to rebuild the suspension is unrealistic. Your 30 probably needs new shock and bushes at least so going all the way and doing the bags as well probably wont cost a great deal more.
Thursday, November 09, 2006 - 06:30 pm, by: Peter Nitschke(Pen)
I had the shocks tested on my 30 a few years ago, pretty much perfect condition. I then had them tested again earlier this year, no deterioration according to the bounce graph. Both tests done on the same machine.
Don Bagnall Moderator New Zealand I have WAY less Soarers than Hayden :-(
Thursday, November 09, 2006 - 06:37 pm, by: Don Bagnall(Baggs)
Mike Beck wrote on Thursday, November 09, 2006 - 10:17 am:
Sorry Im not contributing anything, but ahhh thank God I did not buy a UZZ31 and stuck to the 30s :-)
Yeah, well done Mike..........TOOK YA LONG ENOUGH!
People, get it through ya thick heads............THESE CARS ARE YEARS OLD!!!!
If the air-struts haven't been replaced in that time.............they're gonna be rooted, with a capital Z,..........STOP being a "Whinge Puppy", and fit some NEW ones.
If ewe's is lookin at buying a 31.........FFS make sure that that the struts are in spiffy condition..........otherwise, bargain the price down to allow for the replacement cost...............Which, is NOT insignificant!!
Friday, November 10, 2006 - 06:56 pm, by: Mark Paddick(Sparks)
Despite what any critics may say the best handling of all Soarer models is an airbag car with new 'bags and it's suspension controller(s) sorted and the suspension set up intelligently i.e. heaps lower than either coil sprung or Active cars can go (and no over-the-top bodykits hampering suspension travel). ...AND with 50mm offset wheels. This makes up for all sorts of other shortcomings and ultimately makes them handle better than either. This can only be done with new airbag struts; old worn ones will not take it.
Friday, November 10, 2006 - 07:07 pm, by: Mike Beck(Gold_40gt)
Yeah, I would love to see what a 31 with new airbags is like. From what Ive heard makes them like a new car. Well worth it if you willing to invest the money.
Its just the general idea of forking about the money were talking for the 4 stuts and all the extras to go with it such as installing that puts people off.
Take this Airbag soarer on trade Me for example http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Toyota/auction-77198654.htm $5000 is the standard sort of price for a 1991 soarer with that milage, however you really need to factor in the extra 4k or so just for the new bags and installation costs other wise your just going to have a loose, soft handling car thats probably going to 'poof' like most 31s at higher miles so that makes that instantly a 9k car...
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