Simon
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| posted on 22/5/23 at 09:58 PM |
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airbag suspension
I am restoring a Rover SD1 (VDP efi) and toying with the idea of airbag suspension - very much a budget version.
Planning on s/h parts as hopefully they'll be cheap.
From what I've read, it's the height based system over the pressure system I should aim for.
I'm sure there are a few on here who have a bit of info/advice on the system so ......
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obfripper
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| posted on 23/5/23 at 02:58 PM |
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Are you looking at an aftermarket system, or repurposing an oe system?
Also, are you thinking of just rear bags, or a full system? The rear is easy, but airbag mcpherson struts are not a common thing, land rover, audi and
Mercedes use front struts that have the shock passing through the airbag, but they act on the lower arm so are not able to be used for this purpose as
they are not made to rotate.
There are aftermarket airbag mcpherson struts, but are far off being budget friendly.
https://intermotiv.com/air-suspension/universal-kits/stealth-universal-air-suspension-strut-package-short-23090
Dave
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Simon
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| posted on 23/5/23 at 07:37 PM |
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Yeah repurposed - there are "affordable" kits eg https://www.airmext.com/ but nothing that fits my current budget (as little as possible 
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[Edited on 1 by Simon]
[Edited on 1 by Simon]
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daviep
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| posted on 23/5/23 at 08:17 PM |
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Land Rover Discovery 2 (1999 - 2004 ish) uses a WABCO system which looks as if it would be relatively easy to transplant into something else.
“A truly great library contains something in it to offend everyone.”
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Simon
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| posted on 24/5/23 at 07:43 AM |
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Also been looking at RR P38 though a bit stuck on the front mcpherson struts but not in a rush
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nick205
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| posted on 25/5/23 at 08:53 AM |
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No knowledge of airbag suspension, so I'm curious.
What are the pros and cons over traditional springs/dampers?
Is it an easy was to lower cars?
Does converting a vehicle require and kind of inspection/certification?
Any MOT things to be aware of?
On the Rover (for example) will you have to modify the chassis/suspension components, fit an air compressor/guages?
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Mr Whippy
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| posted on 25/5/23 at 12:08 PM |
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not sur why you'd bother with this on such a car that was already decent on springs. Airbags have hardly a good reputation for reliability. If
it's to lower the car doing so rarely if ever improves the cars handling or usably.
Fame is when your old car is plastered all over the internet
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Simon
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| posted on 25/5/23 at 12:14 PM |
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Nick,
I'm hoping I can do an "analogue" version.
Rear is fairly straightforward - will get some disco 2 rear bags (and modify the axle/car mounts to match), height sensors, along with the three valve
blocks on a rr 3? The pump and tank will come from wherever cheapest secondhand. Front might be more difficult as has offset mcpherson struts so more
investigating required.
Should help with body roll so might be better to replace live axle with irs😁
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nick205
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| posted on 25/5/23 at 12:50 PM |
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Simon
Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like a "rest-o-mod" project rather than a staright restoration. Keep us posted with pictures as you go.
Mr Whippy
Have to agree, lowering a car very rarely improves things. Messes with the OEM suspension geometry (that they'll have spent time and money
developing). Often, lowering springs seem to be stiffer too, which makes for a harsher ride. Many a 205 GTI owner back in the 80-90s was into lowering
their ride. Easy enough on the front MacPherson struts, but the rear axle assembly was far more complex (beyond the scope of most home mechanics).
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Simon
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| posted on 25/5/23 at 12:58 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by nick205
Simon
Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like a "rest-o-mod" project rather than a staright restoration. Keep us posted with pictures as you go
Plan is to restore body to standard but make subtle upgrades/changes to non shell bits.
Eg, car came with nice grey leather with fake wood veneer - I may get these hydro dipped with a Barbon effect....
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nick205
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| posted on 25/5/23 at 02:11 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Simon
quote:
Originally posted by nick205
Simon
Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like a "rest-o-mod" project rather than a staright restoration. Keep us posted with pictures as you go
Plan is to restore body to standard but make subtle upgrades/changes to non shell bits.
Eg, car came with nice grey leather with fake wood veneer - I may get these hydro dipped with a Barbon effect....
Nice touch - moving on from fake wood veneer is IMHO a good step forward!
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Mr Whippy
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| posted on 26/5/23 at 06:07 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Simon
Should help with body roll so might be better to replace live axle with irs😁
changing the spring type or changing to irs will do nothing at all for body roll unless they are as hard as stone. The huge difference in old cars and
modern ones in that area is the fitment of anti roll bars, fortunately they are such simple things you should be able to find one that fits off
another similar sized car.
Fame is when your old car is plastered all over the internet
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adithorp
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| posted on 26/5/23 at 06:31 AM |
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I've used this company in Germany for air suspension parts several times. They've had parts available when dealers and parts factors here
have said they were either unavailable or only as whole units/assemblies or at ridiculous prices.
Even though you might be planning to obtain used parts, their catalog might be useful to trace suitable parts and models to get them from.
https://www.miessler-automotive.com/?lang=eng
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