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Post by redheadmetalhead on Jul 11, 2013 21:38:07 GMT -6
Trying to figure out the best way to fiddle with the rear air struts on a 2G to possibly adjust ride height. Anybody have any ideas? Is there a way to correct a height sensor so it'll only inflate to a certain height?
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Jul 11, 2013 22:49:41 GMT -6
Lowering ride height is limited by the coil springs. Even if you relieved all pressure from the shocks, the drop wouldn't be remarkable and your car would ride like crap. You need shorter springs. ;D
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Randy T.
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Post by Randy T. on Jul 12, 2013 6:20:48 GMT -6
The rear coil springs are also super easy to change, so if you did find a shorter one, or cut one, it would be an easy swap. You just have to unbolt the rear shock on the bottom, press the a arm down, and the spring falls out. I would like to lower my rear a couple inches, but have not taken time to research it, so if you figure it out. Good.  All Auroras have the same rear suspension, 2G has a slightly thicker sway bar, I think that's the only difference. |
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Post by redheadmetalhead on Jul 12, 2013 10:24:37 GMT -6
Alright. So provided I had shorter springs, either cutting or finding a shorter set, I'm still not sure how to adjust the air on the rear struts.
Could I replace the rear springs with an air bag? That would give me more adjustability. And I have a set laying around...
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Post by awehlage on Jul 12, 2013 11:55:36 GMT -6
I believe on the driver side to the left of the caliper/rotor you will find a small 1/4" thick metal arm connected to some linkage. That is the adjustment arm for the electronic shock adjustment depending on the weight over the back end. There was a member on the forum by the name of "Pitt" who successfully lowered his 2G by modifying the little metal bar in the rear with a zip tie (shorter I believe but don't quote me) and spring compressors in the front.
I have searched for replacement front and rear suspension but there is absolutely no aftermarket or even OEM equipment from a different year/make/model vehicle.
I would be leary about safety with spring compressors for the front end. An air bag system seems to be the most logical but also most expensive unless you have stuff laying around.
Sent from my XT901 using proboards
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Post by sall on Jul 12, 2013 12:06:15 GMT -6
98-04 STS Eibach springs. Lots of places say they have them but who knows.
EIB-3872.140 IRRC.
Yes, you can modify the ride height sensor arm for the rear.
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Jul 12, 2013 12:25:54 GMT -6
#3.  |
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Post by awehlage on Jul 12, 2013 14:05:26 GMT -6
98-04 STS Eibach springs. Lots of places say they have them but who knows. EIB-3872.140 IRRC. Yes, you can modify the ride height sensor arm for the rear. I have seen those for the STS however they are discontinued from Eibach so you will pay a price to find a set. If you are willing to spend $300 go to cadillacloweringsprings.com Sent from my XT901 using proboards |
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Post by redheadmetalhead on Jul 12, 2013 20:29:01 GMT -6
That is SUPER helpful. Thank you SO much, tigger I have my front air suspension figured out. I'm making air struts for the front, I was just curious if I needed to heavily mod the rears or not to see if I had to make another set of air struts for the rear. Guess I don't! Thanks guys! |
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Jul 12, 2013 22:56:17 GMT -6
Glad it helped. Don't forget to shoot us some pics when you get done.
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Post by redheadmetalhead on Jul 12, 2013 23:41:58 GMT -6
Glad it helped. Don't forget to shoot us some pics when you get done. Once I get tires on the new wheels, I definitely will! ;D |
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Post by sall on Aug 27, 2013 10:30:35 GMT -6
I have my front air suspension figured out. I'm making air struts for the front. Hmm... any progress? You should know you can't just make claims around here  I know we can make custom coil over for front and rear like one guy on riviera forum did. However, all the way around is hefty price and some custom fab. |
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Post by awehlage on Aug 27, 2013 16:41:59 GMT -6
Lowering ride height is limited by the coil springs. Even if you relieved all pressure from the shocks, the drop wouldn't be remarkable and your car would ride like crap. You need shorter springs. ;D ^^That is correct. I purged all the air from the rear shocks and the car sits at 29" from ground to fender well lip. I also shortened the right height link about an inch but the rear shock is already at max compression so the back end won't go lower....I think. There are a couple of choices to achieve a lower rear IMO: 1. Custom setup (bags or coil over) 2. Shorter spring *but the OEM strut is already maxed out so that solves lowering the rear but ride quality will suck as their will be no air present in the shocks 3. Find a strut that is shorter in length with more compression travel and use a shorter spring I do have to do one more test and that is finding out if the coil spring is preventing the car from lowering or the shock. If the coil is preventing the car from lowering and their is still travel left in the shock = swap out spring with aftermarket or make shorter. If the shock is maxed out = custom setup. Sent from my XT901 using proboards |
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Post by sall on Aug 27, 2013 17:58:57 GMT -6
Lowering ride height is limited by the coil springs. Even if you relieved all pressure from the shocks, the drop wouldn't be remarkable and your car would ride like crap. You need shorter springs. ;D ^^That is correct. I purged all the air from the rear shocks and the car sits at 29" from ground to fender well lip. I also shortened the right height link about an inch but the rear shock is already at max compression so the back end won't go lower....I think. There are a couple of choices to achieve a lower rear IMO: 1. Custom setup (bags or coil over) 2. Shorter spring *but the OEM strut is already maxed out so that solves lowering the rear but ride quality will suck as their will be no air present in the shocks 3. Find a strut that is shorter in length with more compression travel and use a shorter spring I do have to do one more test and that is finding out if the coil spring is preventing the car from lowering or the shock. If the coil is preventing the car from lowering and their is still travel left in the shock = swap out spring with aftermarket or make shorter. If the shock is maxed out = custom setup. We will figure it out! |
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Post by redheadmetalhead on Sept 5, 2013 0:49:13 GMT -6
Wow, I haven't checked in the performance section in quite a while!
Sorry to disappoint, but I don't have the front air struts fully complete yet, but I can share my method for the front set.
I used UAS bags to fit over a set of KYB's. Had to cut the spring perches off, grind them [very carefully] smooth, and sleeve what is basically a spacer over where the perches were. Then I just mount the bottom plate for the bag on the strut, slide the bag on the strut, bolt up the top plate, and that'll do it. I'm still working on permanently attaching the parts together, but I'm afraid to weld too much on the strut. I might just tack it in place, because all the pipe and plates have to do is make sure the bag doesn't twist.
Other than that, I'll snap some pics when I get my new phone. I should be getting my tires mounted on the wheels soon, and the car will go in for bodywork and paint.
For the rears, if I were to shorten the rear springs alone, do you think that would influence ride height? I'm thinking the only way to make the rears adjustable is to mount a bag where that rear spring is. But then what about the air strut?
I'm just confused, and I don't have experience with factory air on cars.
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Post by sall on Sept 5, 2013 6:42:25 GMT -6
Awesome! Whicg bags in partuclar from UAS? You would likely be the first here. What compressor setup will you be running?
For the rear.. smaller springs and use the coil overs bag and brackets from UAS. Should work fine. Ditch the factory air ride.
Or smaller springs and keep the factory air ride.
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Post by redheadmetalhead on Sept 5, 2013 12:53:09 GMT -6
The bags are Aero Sports from Universal Air. They're meant to slide over coilovers and rest on top of the height adjustment nuts. I think I just might be the first to fully bag and stance an Aurora. I feel like I'm going to catch a lot of hate for it though.
I was thinking getting another set of Aero Sports for the rear and one of those rear air strut delete kits. Plus cut a cool off the lower rear spring, that should allow me to air out low enough to my liking. I'd eventually like to lay the mufflers on the ground, but I'll work on that once I get to the fine tuning.
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Post by sall on Sept 5, 2013 13:35:26 GMT -6
Hey man some mods aren't for everyone. And some people will hate but keep doing what you are doing.
I wouldn't really recommend cutting the pigtail springs though. I've got a new set of shorter springs sitting in the garage right now waiting for install. I however am only going after a 1" drop.
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Sept 5, 2013 14:41:00 GMT -6
Yeah metalhead, keep on doing your thing. To hell with whatever they might say!
Sall, that was quick! Who made up the lowering springs for you? Your specs right?
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Post by sall on Sept 5, 2013 16:27:52 GMT -6
Sall, that was quick! Who made up the lowering springs for you? Your specs right? Awhelage and I found a retailer who carried the pigtail springs in the free height and spring rate we were looking for. We both chose different rates for different drops. I am waiting on a new pair of insulators to arrive before installation. Those should be here on Saturday. Then the install will commence. Hoping for the best! Then will share a bit more most likely! I did email Eibach too with no response. Probably think I am some Chinese competitor lol. |
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Sept 5, 2013 18:56:16 GMT -6
Sounds very promising, excluding Eibach  , hope that all turns out well. Seems to be a good bit of interest in lowering our Auroras, maybe you should start a dedicated thread. I've even been thinking of giving mine a "mild" stance adjustment. ;D P.S. Any anticipated camber issues with your 1" drop? |
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Post by redheadmetalhead on Sept 5, 2013 19:35:42 GMT -6
"Pigtail springs"
Is that what those rear springs, that are not on the struts, called?
Sall, where did you find those springs at, if you wouldn't mind sharing?
With a 1" drop, there probably won't be any camber issues. I'm expecting the fenders to rest on the tires, so when aired out, I might be at -5 degrees most. But my car will be on the floor. When I dropped my Regal GS 2.5" all around, I didn't have any camber or toe issues.
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Post by awehlage on Sept 8, 2013 3:40:11 GMT -6
Sall, where did you find those springs at, if you wouldn't mind sharing? The springs Sall and I ordered were from Coleman Racing out of Wisconsin. Shipped pretty quick! Got my rear end at a modest 27.75". That's a 1.25" drop for me. Still working on the front. That's sitting at 28.75". Sent from my XT901 using proboards |
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Post by sall on Sept 8, 2013 10:17:53 GMT -6
Finished except for altering ELC link.  A nice leisurely morning project. The rear coil springs are also super easy to change, so if you did find a shorter one, or cut one, it would be an easy swap. You just have to unbolt the rear shock on the bottom, press the a arm down, and the spring falls out. This is sort of true but they won't just fall out unless your springs are completely toast. The control arm will bottom out on the rear subframe before the spring can fall out. The procedure is disconnect air line, remove lower shock bolts, support control arm, remove toe link and place crow bar under bottom isolator and pry up. Spring will come loose to pull out. Now to finish up the level control. Need to remove the ELC fuse first and take a quick ride around the block to get my camber re-set from having the rear off the ground. Although I don't think the shorter spring would fall out if I left the fuse in. |
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Post by awehlage on Sept 8, 2013 15:36:22 GMT -6
Installed Eibachs up front over KYB Excel Struts. Car is sitting .25" lower in front. Went from 29" to 28.75". Giving it time to settle.
Installed shorter springs in the rear and modified ELC link (shorter). Can get the rear down to 27.75" from 29".
Rear looks awesome, waiting for front springs to settle. Read Eibachs take a little while to come down.
Sent from my XT901 using proboards
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Post by sall on Sept 8, 2013 16:24:09 GMT -6
Mine too. Thanks for helping with this! Mathematic prevails! Try and get some pictures up soon.
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RCA1186
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Rob
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Post by RCA1186 on Sept 8, 2013 17:56:27 GMT -6
pics guys?
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Post by sall on Sept 8, 2013 18:41:01 GMT -6
Nah just keep you waiting lol. I will try to get some in the next few days. Already on to the next mod bub! |
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Post by awehlage on Sept 8, 2013 20:01:24 GMT -6
When pictures are worthy I will. Rear is 1" lower than front...looks goofy. Put the OEM ELC link back on until front settles. Sent from my XT901 using proboards |
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Post by sall on Sept 9, 2013 12:18:47 GMT -6
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, hope that all turns out well. Seems to be a good bit of interest in lowering our Auroras, maybe you should start a dedicated thread. I've even been thinking of giving mine a "mild" stance adjustment. ;D
A nice leisurely morning project.
