I recently purchased an 04 GX a month and a half ago. I've had quite a few things to update, but overall maintenance history is great. It rode very well, but seemingly had sat for a while prior to my purchase. As my daily, I noticed the air bags leaking 2-3 weeks in to ownership. Did some research and changed out my rear bags and shocks to Arnott and Luftmeister. It was a pretty easy job, the hardest bit was getting to the line clip on top of the air tank. The Arnott bags seem very well built, and I think the keyed lower mount is an improvement over stock. The shocks went in very easily...probably the easiest install I've ever done.

All that aside, I'm not too pleased with the ride quality. It is compliant over normal pavement and dips, but any sharp bump is very firm/harsh even in comfort setting. It makes what was a very comfortable ride now seem like aN old truck. It's livable, but not ideal. Has anyone else running Luftmeister had this experience? Any troubleshooting ideas?

TIA

 

New airbags and shocks may just be stiff and need some break in miles before they feel right?

I'm assuming you replaced only the rear shocks? Fronts might be worn out/soft and make the rear feel stiff in comparison?

 

Uncertain as to whether break in is necessary. I've not heard of shocks needing that in the past, but in fairness I have never replaced mag ride previously. Coilovers do settle, but again uncertain as to how air springs behave. I will be doing the fronts, and yes they are more compliant than the rear, but it's a drastic difference. To the point I do not want to install the matching front without hearing the experiences of others...

 

Stock shocks are not mag ride, they are adjustable via dial that is controlled by a servo motor mounted on the top of the shock, FYI.

Air springs are a rubber component, and they could be stiff when new, I have never installed new air springs to know for sure, but it's a theory.

Aftermarket shocks may very well be stiffer than stock/worn out shocks, I'm a fan of a firmer ride (not harsh though) as you lose a lot of the bodyroll/pitch/squat that accompanies the stock suspension. Shocks don't really require break in, per se, but they are likely stiffer than you're used to.

 

Bumping it up. Any Luftmeister users out there?

 

Just last month I replaced my OEM air springs with ''Metal-tech 4x4 GX470 Rear Coil Conversion Stage 3 (Stock Height) w/Key Cones". We went for a ~120 mile trip yesterday and the ride was very good. The wife noted the ride was good enough and very close to the stock ride with the air springs. I kept the OEM shocks which are not leaking and seem to be working well. From your experience Luftmeister are a shock/spring assemblies that have a higher damper and spring rates than stock. Maybe they'll soften up as they break in, or seem to as you get used to them. All in all I'm happy that I don't have to worry about the OEM air springs leaking out anymore.

 

Good to know about the Metal-tech. The Luftmeister are shock only in the rear, paired with Arnott air springs. The front are as you describe, a full strut assembly. I was not aware of the higher damper rate. I'll need to look into that, thanks!