Air struts for lr3

[phunter]

Anyone care to comment on brands that are good or to avoid. Some less expensive ones out there I’m cheap by nature. Is it okay to go cheap ?

 

[crashnburn07]

Anyone care to comment on brands that are good or to avoid. Some less expensive ones out there I’m cheap by nature. Is it okay to go cheap ?

I've had the front Britpart ones since 2020 (replacing the originals from 2005).
Still good so far.

 

[phunter]

Thanks for the reply. Any comments about suncore or auto shock. These are cheaper ones on Amazon.

 

[LR Max]

Arnott seems to be the aftermarket standard. I bought "OEM" air struts from LRdirect and they came in Britpart boxes. I think Dunlop is OEM supplier.

The LRDirect supplied ones were a joy to have installed. I noticed the front end felt a ton better. My part number was RNB501580G.TR. Which is BWI. I think the shipping from England has become more reasonable these days. Also I would check advanced factors as well. If you need lower control arms, do those at the same time. Also replace the tie rods while there.

Some tips:

• Get new hardware. The lower bolts can seize and die. Also if you accidentally lose a top nut, its gone...forever... Have spares.
• Trim a piece of the air hose off, like 1/8" or so. You can see where the air fitting on the strut "dug in" into the hose. By trimming, you offer a new piece of pipe for the new air fitting to dig into.

 

[crashnburn07]

Arnott seems to be the aftermarket standard. I bought "OEM" air struts from LRdirect and they came in Britpart boxes. I think Dunlop is OEM supplier.

The LRDirect supplied ones were a joy to have installed. I noticed the front end felt a ton better. My part number was RNB501580G.TR. Which is BWI. I think the shipping from England has become more reasonable these days. Also I would check advanced factors as well. If you need lower control arms, do those at the same time. Also replace the tie rods while there.

Some tips:

• Get new hardware. The lower bolts can seize and die. Also if you accidentally lose a top nut, its gone...forever... Have spares.
• Trim a piece of the air hose off, like 1/8" or so. You can see where the air fitting on the strut "dug in" into the hose. By trimming, you offer a new piece of pipe for the new air fitting to dig into.

+1 on the LCA and tie rods.
I did the same thing.

 

[phunter]

when replacing front air struts on lr 3 is it necessary to remove the plastic wheel well cladding to have room to remove the air hose? Do you have to go from under the hood to get the back upper bolt loose? should I depressurize the system by loosening air hose fitting at the block or is okay to just remove the air hose on the shock directly and let the air out from there? Sorry for the dumb questions to some folks. Just hoping for a roadmap for what is needed to do this job with some jack stands , floor jack and wrenches. thanks for the advice I hope will follow.

sincerely

 

[jymmiejamz]

Arnott are bottom of the barrel

 

[phunter]

I replaced the rear air struts a few weeks ago without depressurizing the system. Perhaps this was foolish. The shock did move some.
I ordered from lucky 8. Not sure what brand they offer.
Any comments on the front and what to do there.

 

[pmatusov]

I replaced the rear air struts a few weeks ago without depressurizing the system. Perhaps this was foolish. The shock did move some.
I ordered from lucky 8. Not sure what brand they offer.
Any comments on the front and what to do there.

Could you elaborate on the process?

 

[phunter]

Thanks for your reply. When I installed the rear air struts I removed the air line directly from the shock without any depressurization at the block or with a gap tool. This led to the strut moving some once the air line was loosened. To access the line the lower bolt was removed and the strut was pulled out some.
To do the front shocks is it more prudent to take the wheel liner out? To depressurize at the block? Thanks for any words of guidance