2010 AWD air suspension- replaced rear struts only with coils
07-05-20, 02:24 PM
#1
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
07-05-20, 02:37 PM
#2
Pole Position
Just wanted to share my experience with you guys. Apologies in advance for the poor sentence structure in the following paragraphs. I’m typing this on my phone and I’m tired.
My car has AWD and air suspension. The rear air shocks were completely shot, fronts are merely worn but still usable. I replaced the rear air shocks with bargain basement brand (Duralo, rebadged Unity) ready-struts that cost me like $65 each with free shipping. I used Harbor Freight’s silicone cap kit and slipped two silicone caps on each disconnected air line, and stuck a zip tie on for good measure.
I drove the car for a few days including driving at highway speeds and want to say that it drives like a nice car for the first time. It doesn’t bounce like a riced out cut springs Civic anymore! Best of all, there are no suspension related warning lights on the dash. I didn’t disconnect the rear strut actuators; I left them as is. The front suspension that is still air ride works normally, including height high, comfort and sport modes.
To conclude: In my experience, you can replace each rear air shock with a regular coilover on an a-la-carte basis and the car won’t freak out as long as you cap off the air line and don’t disconnect any of the air suspension circuitry.
I will replace the front struts later on when I get some other front suspension parts together so I can do them all in one go.
On another topic, you can do a cheap oil change for a limited time. Mobil 1 0w20 EP High Mileage is $31.95/5qt jug at O Reilly auto parts; they currently have a $10 gift card MIR and Mobil Oil has a $12 MIR as well, making each 5qt jug cost only $10 plus tax. O Reilly’s Pennzoil-Branded Toyota/Lexus oil filter housing removal tool costs $9.99, and despite its dismal reviews it worked just fine for me to remove the filter housing.
hope this helps and be safe everyone!
My car has AWD and air suspension. The rear air shocks were completely shot, fronts are merely worn but still usable. I replaced the rear air shocks with bargain basement brand (Duralo, rebadged Unity) ready-struts that cost me like $65 each with free shipping. I used Harbor Freight’s silicone cap kit and slipped two silicone caps on each disconnected air line, and stuck a zip tie on for good measure.
I drove the car for a few days including driving at highway speeds and want to say that it drives like a nice car for the first time. It doesn’t bounce like a riced out cut springs Civic anymore! Best of all, there are no suspension related warning lights on the dash. I didn’t disconnect the rear strut actuators; I left them as is. The front suspension that is still air ride works normally, including height high, comfort and sport modes.
To conclude: In my experience, you can replace each rear air shock with a regular coilover on an a-la-carte basis and the car won’t freak out as long as you cap off the air line and don’t disconnect any of the air suspension circuitry.
I will replace the front struts later on when I get some other front suspension parts together so I can do them all in one go.
On another topic, you can do a cheap oil change for a limited time. Mobil 1 0w20 EP High Mileage is $31.95/5qt jug at O Reilly auto parts; they currently have a $10 gift card MIR and Mobil Oil has a $12 MIR as well, making each 5qt jug cost only $10 plus tax. O Reilly’s Pennzoil-Branded Toyota/Lexus oil filter housing removal tool costs $9.99, and despite its dismal reviews it worked just fine for me to remove the filter housing.
hope this helps and be safe everyone!
I was thinking about doling this but I end up changing all 4 to oem and I disconnected all actuators no dash lights but will be a code is you read the odb
07-05-20, 02:46 PM
#3
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
how can I fix my cars problem pleas?
Last edited by sdls; 05-16-21 at 08:49 AM.
07-06-20, 06:25 PM
#4
Pole Position
I actually have a set of reman air struts for the rear but my air lines didn’t survive being disconnected 
so I had to go with the cheap coils.
I’m not a rich man so I can’t spring for oem coils yet, haha. But OEM will have the best quality ride.
As far as the actuators go.. I haven’t reinstalled the rear interior yet so they’re currently sitting loose. :-/ I might try disconnecting them to see what happens if I can’t fit them and the dust cap over the new coil over mount.
update to above: thank you jdanielca for motivating me to slap the interior back together. The actuators tucked into the new struts just fine. The dust cover fits.
so I had to go with the cheap coils.I’m not a rich man so I can’t spring for oem coils yet, haha. But OEM will have the best quality ride.
As far as the actuators go.. I haven’t reinstalled the rear interior yet so they’re currently sitting loose. :-/ I might try disconnecting them to see what happens if I can’t fit them and the dust cap over the new coil over mount.
update to above: thank you jdanielca for motivating me to slap the interior back together. The actuators tucked into the new struts just fine. The dust cover fits.
its connected to the strut mount part only by rubber so that **** is not built to last the oem strut mounts for coils has bearings.
I wonder If keeping front air helps handling in anyway.
07-14-20, 05:58 PM
#5
Congratulations! You are one heck of a gentleman for doing this and providing the procedure in full details, and offering your pride and joy for the trial coil replacement. I must say it is a daring attempt to just try out replacing the rear air with coil and leaving the air in front. Your effort proves to be a successful one for the record and the mass followers of your post. I am sure this procedure offers many of us the economic choice in replacing the air suspension when they are needed without cutting a gaping hole in our pockets. I, for one extremely glad to see your post, in particular, referencing my experience with the 2013 AWD with air, the rear of which is starting to show signs of fatigue albeit at under 42K mi. (FYI. one unit part alone is at least $1,400 +/- change).
Your post gives me the comfort of looking forward to rectifying the impending failure with some relief. Please continue to update us with further development of the front end suspension improvement. I am sure you will be drawing many followers. Cheers
Your post gives me the comfort of looking forward to rectifying the impending failure with some relief. Please continue to update us with further development of the front end suspension improvement. I am sure you will be drawing many followers. Cheers
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sdls (10-07-20)
07-23-20, 05:35 PM
#6
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
thanks for help with car issue
Last edited by sdls; 05-16-21 at 08:50 AM.
10-05-20, 05:42 PM
#7
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
car has new problem pleas help!
Last edited by sdls; 05-16-21 at 08:50 AM.
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sdls (10-07-20)
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sdls (10-07-20)
10-06-20, 11:04 PM
#10
Do you have the link to the silicone caps kit?
Thanks
Thanks
Just wanted to share my experience with you guys. Apologies in advance for the poor sentence structure in the following paragraphs. I’m typing this on my phone and I’m tired.
My car has AWD and air suspension. The rear air shocks were completely shot, fronts are merely worn but still usable. I replaced the rear air shocks with bargain basement brand (Duralo, rebadged Unity) ready-struts that cost me like $65 each with free shipping. I used Harbor Freight’s silicone cap kit and slipped two silicone caps on each disconnected air line, and stuck a zip tie on for good measure.
I drove the car for a few days including driving at highway speeds and want to say that it drives like a nice car for the first time. It doesn’t bounce like a riced out cut springs Civic anymore! Best of all, there are no suspension related warning lights on the dash. I didn’t disconnect the rear strut actuators; I left them as is. The front suspension that is still air ride works normally, including height high, comfort and sport modes.
To conclude: In my experience, you can replace each rear air shock with a regular coilover on an a-la-carte basis and the car won’t freak out as long as you cap off the air line and don’t disconnect any of the air suspension circuitry.
I will replace the front struts later on when I get some other front suspension parts together so I can do them all in one go.
On another topic, you can do a cheap oil change for a limited time. Mobil 1 0w20 EP High Mileage is $31.95/5qt jug at O Reilly auto parts; they currently have a $10 gift card MIR and Mobil Oil has a $12 MIR as well, making each 5qt jug cost only $10 plus tax. O Reilly’s Pennzoil-Branded Toyota/Lexus oil filter housing removal tool costs $9.99, and despite its dismal reviews it worked just fine for me to remove the filter housing.
hope this helps and be safe everyone!
My car has AWD and air suspension. The rear air shocks were completely shot, fronts are merely worn but still usable. I replaced the rear air shocks with bargain basement brand (Duralo, rebadged Unity) ready-struts that cost me like $65 each with free shipping. I used Harbor Freight’s silicone cap kit and slipped two silicone caps on each disconnected air line, and stuck a zip tie on for good measure.
I drove the car for a few days including driving at highway speeds and want to say that it drives like a nice car for the first time. It doesn’t bounce like a riced out cut springs Civic anymore! Best of all, there are no suspension related warning lights on the dash. I didn’t disconnect the rear strut actuators; I left them as is. The front suspension that is still air ride works normally, including height high, comfort and sport modes.
To conclude: In my experience, you can replace each rear air shock with a regular coilover on an a-la-carte basis and the car won’t freak out as long as you cap off the air line and don’t disconnect any of the air suspension circuitry.
I will replace the front struts later on when I get some other front suspension parts together so I can do them all in one go.
On another topic, you can do a cheap oil change for a limited time. Mobil 1 0w20 EP High Mileage is $31.95/5qt jug at O Reilly auto parts; they currently have a $10 gift card MIR and Mobil Oil has a $12 MIR as well, making each 5qt jug cost only $10 plus tax. O Reilly’s Pennzoil-Branded Toyota/Lexus oil filter housing removal tool costs $9.99, and despite its dismal reviews it worked just fine for me to remove the filter housing.
hope this helps and be safe everyone!
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sdls (10-07-20)
10-07-20, 06:17 AM
#11
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
if u have car problem ask help
Last edited by sdls; 05-16-21 at 08:53 AM.
10-07-20, 06:20 AM
#12
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
Thanks again for the very kind words sir!
10-07-20, 06:53 AM
#13
It must have been discontinued by HF! That’s a disappointment. I bought the kit around five years ago from one of their stores. I looked it up and couldn’t find it anywhere. I will try to find the part number anyway when I get a chance. A similar kit is available on Amazon for $14.99-$20.
https://www.amazon.com/High-Temp-Sil.../dp/B00M589P42
https://www.amazon.com/High-Temp-Sil.../dp/B00M589P42
Thanks........
10-09-20, 06:37 PM
#14
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
have nice day
Last edited by sdls; 05-16-21 at 08:52 AM.
