Air assisters in rear suspension

[Jillygumbo]

Since carrying two adults in the back of Tonto since conversion, I have decided that air assisters should be considered. Jon and Gema had a very bumpy ride to Stratford and back!

I've looked on the net and can find Air Lift at £83.33 exc VAT (and delivery presumably) and MAD-Suspension for £217.56.

Other than cost, what is the difference between these 2 please? Anyone know?

[g8dhe]

They look fairly similar ;
http://air-lift.co.uk/product.php?unique_id=341
and
http://mad-suspension.co.uk/index.php?r ... ory&path=3

we used the Air-lift ones on ours.

[cushers]

I have just fitted the air lift set to my side conversion this afternoon. I'm no mechanic and took about 90min / side. I have rigged them to be independent of each other.

Seriously consider getting a set of Spring compressors. Easy DIY job.

Graeme

[Jillygumbo]

Thanks for the replies.

[Bob]

I've got spring squashers ready to fit mine, let me know if you want to borrow them, Jilly.

[Jillygumbo]

I've got spring squashers ready to fit mine, let me know if you want to borrow them, Jilly.

Thanks for the offer, but I'm gonna get Allan to fit them but ssh he doesn't know yet!

[Bob]

Good plan.

[windywatson]

Hi,
I fitted air lift a couple of years back. The type that use the bladder within the coil spring. The Way I did it was very simple. Jacked up the van removed wheel. I found that removing the bolt from the bottom of the shock absorber allowed the axle to drop further by about 2 inches. Ensure that you have an axle stand under the there to give some support to the axle during work. With this extra clearance I found that I was able to pull out the coil spring from its seats with out using a spring compressor. Insert the lift bag and reassemble as required. I found that some double sided tape was useful to help hold the additional rubber discs that fit/seat on ether end of the bladder in place whilst fitting it. Now reverse the procedure to reassemble.

The difference made to ride is brilliant, plus also adjustable if you tow a caravan like I do.

[Bob]

Splendid tip, thanks.

[Jillygumbo]

I bought some AirLift assistors and Allan is going to fit them in September. Fingers crossed it will stop the bottoming out over bumps!

[Gasy]

I've just fitted airlifts.co.uk bags to my rear springs
1 hr each side
Very very easy
Just jack it up take off wheel and there is enough room to push in flattened bags and the plastic seat plates

Cut a short section of hose supplied attache to bag end before pushing in
Pull out the hose at the bottom of spring
Then push bag in with jack handle
Pls don't use fingers just in case
Attach Schroeder valve to other end of hose once pulled out through bottom of springs ( this is upside down to the supplied instructions) but works fine
Tie wrap hose out of way in wheel arch
Inflated mine to 20 psi
Put wheel back on
Drop of jack
Do other side
Go for a test ride and be amazed at the difference
The road to the farm where I keep my caravan is very bumpy befor I had air bags even with out caravan on I could do no more than 10 mph or bottom out
I can now do 50mph with caravan bouncy behind me and it don't bottom out any more
Reduces the roll on corners / roundabouts loads aswell
Best £100 I've ever spent on a vehicle

[mikeonb4c]

I've just fitted airlifts.co.uk bags to my rear springs
1 hr each side
Very very easy
Just jack it up take off wheel and there is enough room to push in flattened bags and the plastic seat plates

Cut a short section of hose supplied attache to bag end before pushing in
Pull out the hose at the bottom of spring
Then push bag in with jack handle
Pls don't use fingers just in case
Attach Schroeder valve to other end of hose once pulled out through bottom of springs ( this is upside down to the supplied instructions) but works fine
Tie wrap hose out of way in wheel arch
Inflated mine to 20 psi
Put wheel back on
Drop of jack
Do other side
Go for a test ride and be amazed at the difference
The road to the farm where I keep my caravan is very bumpy befor I had air bags even with out caravan on I could do no more than 10 mph or bottom out
I can now do 50mph with caravan bouncy behind me and it don't bottom out any more
Reduces the roll on corners / roundabouts loads aswell
Best £100 I've ever spent on a vehicle

Hmmm. May have to give these a go. Were did you buy yours?

[Gasy]

Airlift .co.uk
I got mine from direct £99 inc I think

Really worth it
I was at motorway speeds 70+and had to swerve badly to avoid a sack in the road
My heart went
I was ready to fight the steering wheel to get it inline again
And the bongo just handled the big forced swerve fine
With out them bags I'm positive I would of lost controll
Maybe rolled over

I really had to swerve violently and I panicked as we were 70 mph +

The bongo with the bags just took it with hardly any roll at all
I was amazed
That's why I says best £100 I've ever spent on any car
Think they might of saved our lives then

[mikeonb4c]

I had to do a swerve like that not long ago - i've made a note of what you say and thanks for the info on airlift.