Air Suspension

[apole]

Hi,

My airlift 1000 spring assistors have just arrived. Looking forward to getting them fitted.

Does anyone here have these or similar on their cars and if so what air pressure do you run them at?

I'll take some pics during fitting if anyone is interested.

Andy

[MountainGoat]

I inflate mine to 151bs/ft for normal conditions putting an extra 3lbs/ft in when carrying heavy loads. Dandy also has them so it would be intresting to know what pressure he useswith them.

Tony

[mikexgough]

I think Dandy is away on holiday just now.........

[bongomike]

Hi,

My airlift 1000 spring assistors have just arrived. Looking forward to getting them fitted.

Does anyone here have these or similar on their cars and if so what air pressure do you run them at?

I'll take some pics during fitting if anyone is interested.

Andy

Hey Andy, i'm really interested looking to get some myself down the line, hope Im not being cheeky if I ask you how much they are

[scanner]

I inflate mine to 151bs/ft for normal conditions

Is that 15 lbs/sq inch?

[lev8]

I got mine from here http://www.polyair.com.au/ I run @ 5 psi normal and 15 psi loaded (over 400kg) the sliding door footwell is a neat place for the inflation valves. My bongo just loves 'em and so do the rear shocks.

[MountainGoat]

Is that 15 lbs/sq inch?

Tony

Say Lev, 5psi seems low to me, do you have a full conversion?

Tony

[lev8]

From time to time I remove all the rear seats and load up with gear, about 400KG, then when the work is done it goes back to a people mover. 5psi is a keeper pressure to stop the bladders etc falling out or getting pinched, there is very little assist and it is not needed when running in normal mode

[apole]

That is true, the instructions say always to keep at least 5PSI in there, they suggest a starting point of 35PSI, claimed max is 50, I will play around when fitted to get the best balance but it just helps alot knowing what others have set theirs to.

Andy

[MountainGoat]

8. Inflate to the required pressure, (I find 15lbs pressure satisfactory for
carrying four adult passengers in the rear, and 20lbs for towing).
Remember to deflate if putting the vehicle into the garage for repair as
manufacture recommends deflation if jacking up the vehicle from the
vehicle body – it is okay to leave them inflated if jacking up from the axle
as the air spring is still under compression

The above are the instructions from the Bongo Fury factsheet. How do your remarks about always leaving 5psi in the assisters square with deflating them as above. Should the instructions read deflate them to zero or 5psi.

Tony

[lev8]

Mine are polyair, I've used them since 1988, 5 psi is very little air. BTW your quote does not say to leave them deflated after jacking. I've used these in offroad vehicles, which often get a rear wheel off the ground on rough ground, never had one pop, but they will wear out in time and quicker still offroad

this is part of the Polyair instructions

INFLATE BEFORE LOADING
TO OPERATE THE AIR SPRING UNITS,
INFLATE THE CYLINDERS TO THE PRESSURE
INDICATED BELOW.
LOAD THE VEHICLE THEN DECREASE
THE PRESSURE UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS LEVEL
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO RAISE A LOADED
VEHICLE BY INFLATING THE AIR
SPRINGS IF LOADED.
"JACK" UP BODY OF VEHICLE UNTIL LEVEL.
AND THEN INFLATE TO THE DESIRED
PRESSURE.
MAINTENANCE TIPS: Always maintain at least
5 Ibs (38 kpa) air pressure in the Air Springs to prevent
chafing. When loading it is good practice to increase
the inflation pressure of the tyres in proportion to
the load being carried

full details here

http://www.heasmans.com.au/new_site/pdfs/11995-9810.pdf

[apole]

Hi there,

Well they've been fitted today, I took the advise and ensured they were fitted with the valves facing downwards.

Fred at discount truck did an excellent job again and fitted them with care and attention to detail.

On each side he removed the lower suspension so it was easy to clean and insert the bag from underneath. All the air lines have been carefully run to the filling points in the inside step. Anywhere where the hoses could have rubbed have been fitted with a protective sheath.

Initially running at 15PSI, so far the ride seems a bit firmer and less roll. Will experiement with different pressures but suspect what I have is pretty good, don't want too much as it would be like a pogo stick.

Pics below:

Before:



After:





Now looking forward to not wallowing and bottoming out at the slightest bump.

Not sure whether to have the drivers side slightly higher in pressure due to side conversion.

[lev8]

great news, you won't miss the wallowing and the dreaded bottoming out, but you will enjoy the new firmness and road manners. Ride height should be set level using a measure to wheel arches and adjusting pressures to suit.

[mike smith]

I am interested in fitting some , is there a U K supplier as a google search does not come up with anything and what model type is required as the Australian site does not list the Bongo. Mike

[lev8]

Ah yes, the Bongo is a strange beast, I had to take mine in to the hoist for a measure, I will dig out the invoice. I remember that you need the ID of the springs and the normal load length inside springs. Which gives the dia and length of the bladder, plus there is a top plate and bottom plate to suit. It may take a few days to find

To fit, I removed the wheel, let the axle sag and then squashed the bladder between the coils, it is pretty easy to do. Then strapped the hose to the suspension link and onto the chassis, gives minimal flexing/movement of hose. Easy then to route to the foot well.

You can contact them when you get the specs and see how they can get you a pair.