soupratt Posted June 8, 2005 Share Posted June 8, 2005 Hi all, Well since I couldn't get replacement airbag suspension cheaply (<$1100 AUS each) I bought some second hand (but low km) strut setup from a 1992 Celsior/LS400. 2 of new struts (non airbag) have a plug at the top and some wires which go into the top of the shock. Is some kind of sensor or stiffness controller for the stock shocks ?? (on the bottom of the other 2 they say KYB and a toyota part number). Then other pair look like stock struts. (got the spring/shock and top plate all together so I don't have to compress the springs). I though they would be a straight swap for the airbag but that plug worries me. Anyone have an idea about the plug ???? Cheers Andrei Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilfred Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 No but through my research its not a straight swap over Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soupratt Posted June 9, 2005 Author Share Posted June 9, 2005 No but through my research its not a straight swap over ← hmm. Thats a problem. What is the difference that makes it a difficult swap ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soupratt Posted June 9, 2005 Author Share Posted June 9, 2005 I had a chat with the wrecker and he said the plug at the top is for the TEMS shock controller that was available in some Celsiors/LS400. Apparently, appart from the airbag suspension and basic shock/spring setups there were also adjustable front gas shocks. If you don't plug it in the shock just runs at the comfort level. Hmm.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soupratt Posted June 12, 2005 Author Share Posted June 12, 2005 I had a chat with the wrecker and he said the plug at the top is for the TEMS shock controller that was available in some Celsiors/LS400. Apparently, appart from the airbag suspension and basic shock/spring setups there were also adjustable front gas shocks. If you don't plug it in the shock just runs at the comfort level.Hmm.. ← Just finished installing the front shocks to replace the not so functional airbag. The installation guide in the tech section was very useful... many thanks LEXTREME. However I did a couple of small modifications. As I noted in an earlier post I got a set of second hand Celsior/Ls400 shocks/spings/top-plates. The front shocks were apparently from a non-airbag but TEMS Celsior (so there are adjustable shocks around in the specifications also). Obviously without the controler the shocks will run at default comfort level. The order of installations was 1) Remove wheel 2) Remove airbag plug on top of shock and loosen shock bolts. 3) Undo the air inlet hose (14mm) and let all the air out - if the airbag is fully deflated and the shock free to move easily it makes removing the strut much easier. 4) Remove lower shock bolt (19mm on each side) 5) Remove lower stabiliser bar bolt (near the bottom of the shock) 17mm- It actually helps to have another jack (like a tyre jack) under the suspension setup to stop it sagging when everything is loose 6) Once the shock is compressed (all the air out) it can be easily removed with the upper control arm still in place. 7) I couldn't get the upper control arm bolt out of the lower section - it just wouldn't come off and I did hammer the s...t out of the lower bar. So after a few minutes of panic I though.. Why not remove the whole upper control arm from the car. 2 x 17mm bolts that are not too hard to remove with a torque wrench. That was MUCH easier and just tilt everything forward. If the airbag wasn't removed so far then remove it now/ 8 ) Insert the new/used spring strut. Put on the upper screws in the strut but don't tighten them until you fix the lower section of the shock. 9) Replace the stabiliser bar bolt. 10) Replace the upper control arm bolts - You may need to use a spanner if the wrench doesn't fit. 11) Tighten everything and spary with WD40/Silicone spray etc. 12) Wheel goes on. Drive - MUCH MUCH Better. Like a new car. No shaking of the steering wheel. No instability at high speed. And it was a DIRECT SWAP !!!!!!!! Going for another drive now !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lextreme Posted June 13, 2005 Share Posted June 13, 2005 Great Job Bro, I try to tell everyone about the conversion. I love the conversion.... solve my problem forever. david I had a chat with the wrecker and he said the plug at the top is for the TEMS shock controller that was available in some Celsiors/LS400. Apparently, appart from the airbag suspension and basic shock/spring setups there were also adjustable front gas shocks. If you don't plug it in the shock just runs at the comfort level.Hmm.. ← Just finished installing the front shocks to replace the not so functional airbag. The installation guide in the tech section was very useful... many thanks LEXTREME. However I did a couple of small modifications. As I noted in an earlier post I got a set of second hand Celsior/Ls400 shocks/spings/top-plates. The front shocks were apparently from a non-airbag but TEMS Celsior (so there are adjustable shocks around in the specifications also). Obviously without the controler the shocks will run at default comfort level. The order of installations was 1) Remove wheel 2) Remove airbag plug on top of shock and loosen shock bolts. 3) Undo the air inlet hose (14mm) and let all the air out - if the airbag is fully deflated and the shock free to move easily it makes removing the strut much easier. 4) Remove lower shock bolt (19mm on each side) 5) Remove lower stabiliser bar bolt (near the bottom of the shock) 17mm- It actually helps to have another jack (like a tyre jack) under the suspension setup to stop it sagging when everything is loose 6) Once the shock is compressed (all the air out) it can be easily removed with the upper control arm still in place. 7) I couldn't get the upper control arm bolt out of the lower section - it just wouldn't come off and I did happer the s...t out of the lower bar. So after a few minutes of panic I though.. Why not remove the whole upper control arm from the car. 2 x 17mm bolts that are not too hard to remove with a torque wrench. That was MUCH easier and just tilt everything forward. If the airbag wasn't removed so far then remove it now/ 8 ) Insert the new/used spring strut. Put on the upper screws in the strut but don't tighten them until you fix the lower section of the shock. 9) Replace the stabiliser bar bolt. 10) Replace the upper control arm bolts - You may need to use a spanner if the wrench doesn't fit. 11) Tighten everything and spary with WD40/Silicone spray etc. 12) Wheel goes on. Drive - MUCH MUCH Better. Like a new car. No shaking of the steering wheel. No instability at high speed. And it was a DIRECT SWAP !!!!!!!! Going for another drive now !!! ← Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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