Lexus LS430 Air Suspension Conversion
 

2004 LS430 UL.....Air Strut is worn out, took it to lexus and the want $1524.00 to repair one side.......I would like to convert this from Air to Regular struts, but there are so mant kits out there.....was wondering if you guys recommend any......I originally was going to go with strut master, but seen a couple of bad reviews about non fitting parts, than Megan Racing MR-CDK-LL01, came up, I see one review on this site and it looks good.....anyone have any suggestions????

I personally feel that Megans are cheap parts. But thats just me. It really depends what you want to spend on aftermarket suspension. If you're looking for comfort, you may just wanna buy a OEM strut.

Check out Strutmasters! I purchased a set for my 97 LS400. Perfect fit, with no alignment issues and exactly the same ride quality. The kit also included instructions on how to redo the electrical system to disable the compressor and not throw any warning lights.

Hummmm, I'd be interested in more concerning this conversion as someday, I may have to do something for my '01 & '04 UL's with air. Brousing around like Ebay & both Megan and Strutmasters profiled. Anymore advise out there between the two? How about that stock OEM set-up from lesser models (down at my favorite wrecking yard...)? Relatively easy job (I'm an OK shadetree mech!)?
Please expound! Thanks, RW

Oem Springs, preferably sport models or Tanabe and Kyb shocks. Kyb mounts as well. Slightly more then coilovers but they have better longevity and better ride.

Lee, which air strut is worn out?

I converted to OEM springs and shocks using the sport model, but if I had to do it again, I'd use the non-sport springs and shocks but still put on the sport rear sway. LS will never be a sports car and think the ride would be a bit better with regular variety - not enough sport to make the difference worthwhile.

Interesting to hear your thoughts on the sport springs Dave. I know much of it is preference. I also enjoy my car on normal cushy mode 80% of the time. I was going to start accumulating the suspension parts for my conversion but decided just to purchase a used set of air-shocks for a lot less money. I also have the sports rear sway bar on my UL. Even the minor upgrade made a good and noticeable improvement. :thumbup:

I think you would be most happy with OEM steel springs and OEM, non-sport struts, and the price if you order through a place like Sewell would probably not be that much more than an aftermarket kit. I haven't priced it out, but my guess is it would only be a few hundred more.

On a car like an LS, I really don't think firmer shocks are going to do much of anything but make the ride harsher. And with an OEM setup, you know you're going to have the right ride height and that it will likely last 100k miles.

so I would need OEM springs and struts? I was looking to go with Megans but only because I wanted the ability to adjust the car height (the reason I brought the UL in the first place).....But Im thinking at this point, I would really just like the car to Ride like a lexus and no more air rider.................Can you point me to the parts I need? I am a little confused because I thought all I would need are the struts

The ideal package for comfort is going to be OEM standard coil springs and either OEM shocks or KYB. KYB is the OEM manufacturer but the rates may be ever so slightly different with the dealer supplied shocks vs KYB GR-2. You will also need the shock mounts and bellow. KYB makes all these as well. When converting the suspension, don't remove the height sensors or you will get the error message at your dash.

https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,c...30%2B4.3L%2BV8

Ok so if I went with KYB GR2 Front
Front Strut #341392 Strut Mount #sm5565 Strut Bellow # SB104
Rear Strut #341393 Strut Mount #SM5566 Support Bellow #SB102
And Tanabe 214 Springs

Thats it?

Your list looks good.

Edit - Check out post 26

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...n-infos-2.html

Megan Ezs r pretty good and comfy for daily, have them on my CL LS430. For 6bills u cant complain. Heard u can pull a fuse to get rid of dash lights, dunno just heard not sure if true tho.

Megans used to be crap, but they're coming around. Most of the items are made by one manufacturer who everyone else just puts their names on anyways...

i have the Sports suspension, i like the ride to be honest - but i am coming from an ISF. i always felt the 17s and oem is too soft but again, i used to have tanabes and 20s in GS400 the ride was pretty good.

Is there a coilover setup? maybe you can grab

For comfort, I don't know how you could possible beat a UL with air suspension. Just my opinion (which is biased as i drive a UL!)

I have similar problem
 

I have a strut that has a pinhole leak. Since the only LS430's that used air suspension was the UL, the places that rebuild air shocks don't have enough volume to do UL struts.

I have always driven my UL in sport mode. I am sure that the air is probably the most comfortable ride, but I don't want to keep shelling out the bucks when things go bad. The pinhole leak actually started when the car was in warranty. Lexus replaced everything except for the air strut and the compressor. Lexus hasn't been very willing to help. I told them back when they were throwing new sensors, ECU's, etc. on the car back then, that the air strut needed replacing. They insisted it was perfectly fine. For all their repairing over two years, the car was never fixed.
That's why I am thinking of a conversion.
Just want to know the best way to do it.

I went with the MEGAN RACING Street LP Series .....cost me about $860.00 shipped and $580.00 to install......So far I really like it!!!!!! Car sits even, no more worry about $1500.00 struts or $600.00 sensors..... Are the car corners great.

any pics leelos? i couldnt see myself switching from bags for the sake of adjustability in height and such, but i do see why you switched.

I have a 2001 Ls430 Ultra. I just ordered Suncore conversion kit for front and back suspension for $359 with free shipping. I will let you guys know how it rides when they are installed.

who does it
 

Mine on my 02 UL have not gone out yet, but I am getting prepared to make the change. I am not mechanical enough to do it myself and Lexus won"t do it. My Toyota dealership who does most of my work was informed by Lexus not to do it, so I'm left with trying to find an Indy to do it. Can most suspension repair places do it? I understand the rear seat must be removed.

I installed my bc coilovers and its is a pretty simple procedure the hardest part is removing the rear seat and decklid, i have bc's with 16k front 14k rear and i do not feel the ride is overly harsh at all it gets rid of that "floaty" feeling the car has stock, goes were you point it, and becomes more pedictble this is just my opinion so take it that into account.

I will let you know how the ride feels once I have them installed. Go to Suncore site. I've read good reviews. Strutmaster wants $1200 plus $83 for shipping. Labor is going to cost me $800 to have installed which includes $85 for towing. I'm having it done at a place here in Illinois called speedlube auto care. This is my fourth ultra. It has 223k miles on it. This is the first time I will be having this done. One thing i've had to have done on all of them is the wheel bearings. https://www.suncoreindustries.com/p-...ls430-rwd.aspx This company sells them on ebay also.

I am in the process of swapping out the bags for springs/shocks.
I ordered the following KYB items:
Front Strut #341392 Strut Mount #sm5565 Strut Bellow # SB104
Rear Strut #341393 Strut Mount #SM5566 Support Bellow #SB102

Well I got everything today and I am confused about the front setup.
The KYB Strut Mount #sm5565 comes with a boot attached to mount itself.
I also have the Strut Bellow # SB104. It comes with a boot and also a bump stop I presume???
My question is am I supposed to be installing SB104 below the boot that comes on the strut mount?
If so, would the end with the bump stop be facing downward?
I have attached a photo to show what I received.


.https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...bc733e04a8.jpg

I changed over from OEM air to Bilstein coilovers. It now rides like my former BMW 735i.
Bilstein makes the coilovers exactly for the LS model you have - not a generic part. They take in consideration the spring rate, weight of the car, etc, etc. They also have a lifetime warranty. Cost about 1100 for the Bilsteins plus some parts from Lexus ( a schematic will tell you what). With the coilovers you can lower the car slightly. With the lowered car it feels more planted, not so couchlike as with the air. . Labor wise you will look at approx 5 hrs from a professional. You will also need a wheelalignment.
For the DIY: you should know how to work with a spring compression tool (a VERY dangerous beast)

Defeating Error Messages after conversion
 

I have also just installed a set of Suncores. Were you able to defeat the error messages? Would you mind explaining how you went about doing that?

Tell me about these mounts. I bought OEM springs and struts from a used parts place and had them installed with new struts from mylexusparts the struts have failed twice. Now I had a shop install them so not sure if I am missing something. I have a feeling this is the case. The same shop replaced the ones on my 2001 LX470 with Strutmasters and they are wonderful. My LS430 is currently riding like a POS. Any recommendations?

what did you find out and what extra parts did you need?

Pull the fuse on the air compressor, Leave the fuse and the sensor portion in place.

How much it cost?
 

[QUOTE=DaveGS4;8463401]Lee, which air strut is worn out?

I converted to OEM springs and shocks using the sport model, but if I had to do it again, I'd use the non-sport springs and shocks but still put on the sport rear sway. LS will never be a sports car and think the ride would be a bit better with regular variety - not enough sport to make the difference worthwhile.[/QUOT

I have the Bilstein coilovers that were designed specifically for the LS model. They ride beautifully, firm, but not :sporty. The beefier rear swaybar and the 1 1/2" lowering are just the icing. Tires are 17" and act as a good shockabsorber over often miserable roads. Also saves the rims from getting damaged

What rear sways do you guys recommend?

Just ordered the Ultra Racing Rear Sway Bar. Hoping for a strong difference. Also just ordered the Monroe shock/strut/spring assembly from Rock Auto. Not sure if I will need any other parts for in the rear of the car but hoping for a direct fit. Didn't want to replace the air system but mechanic says one of the front ones is leaking and seems to be making a large popping noise when I turn the wheel. So figured I might as well bite the bullet and replace them all with the conversion. I just don't want to have to replace all of them in the future. Hoping this will all stiffen up the ride as well. Next will be choosing the right tire for this 2001 U/L with NAV beast.

I replaced the air struts w/ OEM coils/struts back in 2018, disconnected the air compressor. You really don't need the height sensors except for the AFS. My height sensors failed due to all the rain in the NE (moved there from the SW in 2019). That will throw a warning light in the dash, so I pulled the fuse for the height sensors. The problem with that is the AFS ECU relies on the height sensor input, and since I no longer drive on twisty mountain roads where I live, I put the car on level ground, stopped the engine, then pulled the AFS fuse. So far, 5 years after the suspension replacement, no issues, still OEM struts.