Slow Paddler
SILVER Star
I had a local independent shop install my Firestone airbags for me this week, as I don't have access to a lift. He's a Toyota guy, and well respected in the T4R and Tacoma community, but here in northern Ohio, there are very few Land Cruisers.
I sent him a link to the install threads here, strict instruction NOT to unscrew the KDSS valve more than three turns, and links to a couple very thorough Airbag Man videos. He said he was able to install the bags without having to open the KDSS valve at all, by disconnecting the shocks and rear sway bar, letting the suspension hang.
I was in a rush returning home, and while I noticed the rear was higher, I attributed into a need to settle, and that's all the further I looked. Once home, I checked and realized the rear left was 2" higher than the right (measured at the sharp inside corner of the bottom of each reflector by the tailgate.) The pressure in the airbags was 8-9 PSI. In hindsight, I really should have measured all four corners beforehand. But...
I reduced the pressure to 5 PSI as indicated on my gauge (I have a good 0-15 gauge coming) and took it for a short drive to settle the suspension. Not far, and no real suspension loading, but I did some low speed pretty violent turns to induce some roll. Measuring again, I was 1-3/4" higher on the left than right. I'll be taking it to visit family for about 350 mikes, and will measure again when I get home early next week.
Since he didn't open the KDSS, does this just sound like the suspension still needs to settle? Or, maybe something was over-tightened, not allowing it to settle? Or, could the KDSS get out of whack just by him lowering and manipulating it during the airbag install?
Other than that, he did a really clean install, with the valves under the tailgate flap as @TeCKis300 has shown. I also had him put Fluid Film on, and he really coated things well, and got in every nook and cranny. That'll make it fun working under there if something other than suspension settling is needed.
Thanks for any input, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
I sent him a link to the install threads here, strict instruction NOT to unscrew the KDSS valve more than three turns, and links to a couple very thorough Airbag Man videos. He said he was able to install the bags without having to open the KDSS valve at all, by disconnecting the shocks and rear sway bar, letting the suspension hang.
I was in a rush returning home, and while I noticed the rear was higher, I attributed into a need to settle, and that's all the further I looked. Once home, I checked and realized the rear left was 2" higher than the right (measured at the sharp inside corner of the bottom of each reflector by the tailgate.) The pressure in the airbags was 8-9 PSI. In hindsight, I really should have measured all four corners beforehand. But...
I reduced the pressure to 5 PSI as indicated on my gauge (I have a good 0-15 gauge coming) and took it for a short drive to settle the suspension. Not far, and no real suspension loading, but I did some low speed pretty violent turns to induce some roll. Measuring again, I was 1-3/4" higher on the left than right. I'll be taking it to visit family for about 350 mikes, and will measure again when I get home early next week.
Since he didn't open the KDSS, does this just sound like the suspension still needs to settle? Or, maybe something was over-tightened, not allowing it to settle? Or, could the KDSS get out of whack just by him lowering and manipulating it during the airbag install?
Other than that, he did a really clean install, with the valves under the tailgate flap as @TeCKis300 has shown. I also had him put Fluid Film on, and he really coated things well, and got in every nook and cranny. That'll make it fun working under there if something other than suspension settling is needed.
Thanks for any input, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
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