lev00221

iTrader: (28)

Hello everyone,
Well, I got lucky and found a set of new Eibach springs for my LS430 on eBay. Thus, I purchased OEM sport springs, tophats, etc. and had the air suspension converted to Eibach/OEM sport. I am extremely pleased with the results! The car still rides very comfortably without the floating feeling that was so obvious before. I previously had a 2004 LS430 Premium and the ride is just as comfortable as it was in that car but the handling is much better. There is absolutely no noise from the suspension. I am riding on OEM 5 spoke Chrome wheels with 245/45/18 Bridgestone Turanza Serenity tires.

I will post pictures soon. It is too dark to take any right now.

Anyone that is interested in four nearly-new air struts from a 2005 LS430 with 24,000 miles please let me know. They will be listed in the classified section very soon.

docpls430

Hi
That sounds great! I am looking to do this on my 2001 ls430. Was it easy to do?

Would you be able to give a list of parts that are needed for the conversion?

Thanks!

ancdmd

What kind of noise were you hearing from the suspension before the swap?

cpcc

Really, is the ride as cushy? I would have thought that it would be stiffer closer to a bimmer.

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

I can tell you, that if you lower the car and increase the spring rate it will make the car feel more planted and it will also handle better. It definitely changes the nature of the ride. Into more of a sports sedan vs luxury feel. Depends on what you are going after.

cpcc

looking to keep the old man Cadillac ride. I ask because my front shock on the UL has started to weep a little. Wondering if its going to be an air suspension money pit or not. So, considering changing it over to a conventional suspension simply to save burning money for nothing.

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

Or just buy a set or pair of nice used air-shocks. I paid $450 for 4 1.5 years ago. The next best bet is to convert to oem coils and KYB struts. Even coil-overs will be more comfortable then lowering springs.

lev00221

iTrader: (28)

Cpcc,
You can purchase my used air struts (24,000 miles) if you are interested.
Let me know,
Luis

lev00221

iTrader: (28)

I wasn't experiencing any noise before the swap. I made that comment because some people have noise issues when they change suspension.

Ride is very comfortable but taut. No undulation as before when going over dips on the highway at 70mph.
Feels much more controlled and safe.

tiger02

I did the swap as well at 146,000 miles as my air compressor was coming on more and more with both front air struts leaking fluid. This forum was a big help in the swap during the Columbus Day weekend as I referred to it often. Ride is improved overall with the cornering being the most noticeable positive effect.

I used non-sport stock springs, struts, dampeners and mounts ordered from Lexus. Car sits about 1/2" lower than the stock air struts. I gauged that based on how my floor jack rolls under the front of the car where it now slides against the plastic underbody panels where it used to have a quarter inch clearance.

Overall I'm very happy with the swap and the soft yet planted ride feel. Now I just need to change out my drivers side ball joint and the annoying clicking sound it's making.

Vince

MX5

Does anyone know the reasoning behind the factory offering a "raised" setting but not also a "lowered"? Seems like they kinda left half the benefit on the table there....

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

You can manually adjust the ride height via the height sensors. I'm sure they were worried about clearance. Going lower could be problematic.

TTBomB

iTrader: (2)

Hi Vince,

Could you take a few photos of your car as it sits now with the conversion?
I may be doing this in the future and would like to see how it looks prior to diving in.

Thanks, Tom

Saucana6

Hi Luis , how much do you want for your air struts ?

Andrey3000

For those that have done the swap from air to standard coil spring, do you have any warning lights, vsc? traction? and how do you go about getting rid of those? I'm looking to swap from air to standard suspension, so just curious if the gauges will light up like a Christmas tree lol.