Air suspension system '92 Legacy

[steveb]

Hi, I'm new on the forum. I have a '92 Legacy with air suspension. 

In ref. to the manually pumping up the struts/shocks: can I just connect

to each air line (the line right out of the strut) an adapter (probably

what is on the rim of a tire) and then just fill each strut with air?

If so, then what is the max. pressure for each strut?

OR

If changing to regular struts I've noticed that the configuration

near the top of each is way different. Looks like an air chamber as

opposed to a coil spring.

Can use some help on this as the struts have a mind of their own. Sometimes they fill with air sometimes not.

[Olnick]

Most folks just ditch the air suspension systems and replace with standard struts and springs.  I doubt that you could pump up the system externally and expect it to hold air for long. 

 

I found a number of posts about the swap procedure over the years--but for some reason I can't post the links here!

 

Try this:

 

Look for the "search box" at the top-right of this page.

Click on the gear icon to the right of the box (That gives you "advanced search").

Enter "air suspension" (with the quotation marks)

Part way down the page select "1990 to Present Legacy . . ." forum.

Click search.

 

There are a few posts around 2012/13 that describe the swap.

 

Good luck.

[idosubaru]

just convert it to regular coil over struts.   the bag/coil difference doesn't matter - the chassis of the car is identical in both.

 

if you want to - yes you can manually inflate each strut.

 

i've got two different styles:

1.  with a couple adapters you can thread right onto the strut where the hose threads onto it.  remove hose and screw on adapter - and then thread a schrader valve into that.  that's sort of ideal because that's direct and doens't utiliize the old air hose/oring at the strut.

 

2.  they make T-connectors that splice into air hose line - these would be the simplest as you don't have to measure/figure out thread size/adapters needed.   but if you splice the T connector between the solenoid and strut into the air line hose you need:

A.  the solenoid to remain closed (easy disconnect it) and to know the solenoid doesn't leak - they do leak sometimes as they age - there's just a spring inside of it that can get weak and allow internal bleeding.

B.  the air line fitting oring at the solenoid needs to not be leaking (soapy bubbles will verify or just install a new oring - a standard sized oring at any auto parts store with fit - some 1/8" variety.

C.  same thing on the strut side of the air line - the oring there neeeds to not be leaking.

[idosubaru]

for the swap - the top of the strut - bolt spacing/fitment - and the bottom strut mount bolts are identical - so it's all the same. 

 

 

if you can swap a coil over - you can swap air suspension to coil over.

 

1.  remove air strut

2.  install conventional strut

 

it's that easy - there's nothing to it.

[heartless]

swap to standard coil over and be done with it. I did on my 90 Legacy that had blown out rear air struts.

 

just source the parts for complete coilover assemblies, pull out the air struts, install the coilovers and done.

[steveb]

Ok thanks everyone. I will initially try to valve stem it as  $ is a bit low. I will 1st look directly at the hose where it connects to the strut, then maybe where the 4 lines connect (by the compressor) If this all fails then onto coil struts.