MattLS400

Team,

From the attached photo, it is clear that my Left Rear Shock is leaking on my 96 Celsior.

I need further advice whether I can simply replace the shock itself and attach the electrical/ air suspension components from the damaged shock onto an after market individual shock itself. Is this possible ?

If not, can I be directed to someone who has this left rear shock in its entirety i.e with air suspension components..

Gene01

Since no one else has posted, I will give my opinion.
My understanding is that the air suspension (bag) cannot be separated from the shock.
I would love to be wrong, because that would mean a far cheaper repair.

Yamae

Unfortunately you need to replace the whole unit 48090-50090. It costs nearly $1000 here in Japan. Another idea might be to change to spring suspentions.

MattLS400

Thanks Gene and Yamae. The consensus from you both seems that I will have to locate another unit complete. Just a question, has anyone ever tried to repair these shocks ?

OBSERVATION subsequent to the pic in post #1.
This happened today. Keep in mind I always drive with the car Air sus on "norm" .

This first pic in this post shows when I parked in the car park at work today and switched off the engine.
- I heard air being deflated like air out of a ballon on this same left rear wheel which shock is leaking.
-Only this left rear side dropped this low


The latter pic I took when I started the car and left it for 2 minutes;
-It came back to its original height
- No deflating of air sound.


Questions
A) It actually looks good when its drop low like that when its parked up (engine off).
Im thinking, how can I get all 4 wheels to look like this when the car is parked up, but back to normal optimum driving height when im ready to drive?

B) Is my 96 Celsior dropping so low when the car is off because the left rear shock has gone completely?

Gene01

It sounds like your left rear air bag is leaking, but slowly so that the compressor can keep up with it.
It is likely that the leak will get worse, making the compressor run more and more to keep it inflated.
So, ultimately, you will have to replace the compressor as well as the shock+bag.
You cannot deflate the bag completely with the stock controller. Even on "LOW", the ride is higher than in your picture.

One more thought - look at the relevant threads in the LS430 forum. Lots of posts on the LS430 Ultra Luxury which has factory air suspension.

MattLS400

You are right about the Compressor for air suspension on my 96 LS400

I have noticed that I am not hearing my compressor turn on when i start the vehicle. I am also noticing the rear very low to the ground. BUT the front suspension is VERY HIGH .
One can only imagine how that looks.
Given that my compressor is not working, Is there any other way that I can reduce the height of my FRONT SUSPENSION ? lets say by removing the 14mm bolt for the air inlet ?


I would like to drop it as low as the back, so that it wont look as funny as it does now