Question regarding Air Lift Universal struts

[CubbyChowder]

So I'm bagging two BMW's here pretty soon, a friend's 1972 Bavaria and a 1973 2002. We are both using the Airlift 75561 Universal Struts for the front. Upon reading a few write-ups regarding the universal struts, I have a few questions.



All the write-ups mention that you should measure where you want full lift or aired out to be and weld from there. That makes sense to me, but none of them mention any sort of modification to make it all line up. For instance, the "sleeve" that is supplied has the rectangular cutout for the dampening adjuster knob on the strut assembly. Since it is crucial for those two to line up, doesn't that mean that in order to get a specific overall length of the assembly when everything is welded up, then the sleeve would either need to be shortened or lengthened appropriately to achieve that given length? It seems in every write up, they just weld the sleeve on as it came out the box and everything works fine. There is no mention of modifying that sleeve. It seems so simple to me, I just want to make sure I'm on the right track here.

Also, when the bag is at max lift, does it physically look the same as how it looks right out of the box? Meaning when the assembly has no weight on it whatsoever, is it appropriate to use that as your "max lift" measurement? Might be a confusing question, I'm just not sure if the bag extends more once air is involved.

Is it better to measure from an "aired out" or "full lift" standpoint?

Any help would be appreciated.

[NegativeCamber]

Yes, you will need to trim the sleeve if necessary to achieve the overall desired length of the strut. I didn't mention it in my write up because it was trivial. The max extension is 19" for that model you posted. It should be close to the same length right out of the box. fully aired up, that would be the length, and the bag should be at its max diameter.

Keep in mind, there is a minimum length the bag itself should be at for normal driving height. It's in the documentation. The correct way to set it up would be to measure at a desired driving height and leave a certain amount of clearance under the car when fully aired out. That measurement again is in the documentation. Because my setup as well as many others are for the extreme, ie: laying out, then those measurements for the length of the strut are derived at a fully collasped strut, in order to achieve maximum drop.

[CubbyChowder]

Yes, you will need to trim the sleeve if necessary to achieve the overall desired length of the strut. I didn't mention it in my write up because it was trivial. The max extension is 19" for that model you posted. It should be close to the same length right out of the box. fully aired up, that would be the length, and the bag should be at its max diameter.

Keep in mind, there is a minimum length the bag itself should be at for normal driving height. It's in the documentation. The correct way to set it up would be to measure at a desired driving height and leave a certain amount of clearance under the car when fully aired out. That measurement again is in the documentation. Because my setup as well as many others are for the extreme, ie: laying out, then those measurements for the length of the strut are derived at a fully collasped strut, in order to achieve maximum drop.

Thank you, exactly what I needed to know. It only seemed logical to me, but I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something. It seems there is quite a bit of room for shortening the sleeve.

So the "16.1 Mid Stroke" measurement would be what we set the car at driving height at?

[NegativeCamber]

No prob. Yea there is excess length, which is good though. I can't wait to see the 02 on bags

[CubbyChowder]

No prob. Yea there is excess length, which is good though. I can't wait to see the 02 on bags

Thanks man!

And sorry I edited my response to you probably after you read it. So the "16.1 Mid Stroke" measurement would be where we try to set the car for driving height at?

[NegativeCamber]

Yea, mid stroke leaves enough travel to allow damping. Then see how much length of the sleeve is necessary in order to give you the desired fully collapsed height.

What you could do though, is measure the current strut with the weight of the car on it, take note of the current height, and subtract from that measrement how much lower you want to be when fully aired out. That new measurement will be the length of the fully collapsed air strut. Then work backwards to see how high the car will be at mid length, and fully aired up.

[CubbyChowder]

Yea, mid stroke leaves enough travel to allow damping. Then see how much length of the sleeve is necessary in order to give you the desired fully collapsed height.

Cool, I just now discovered the installation manual PDF from Air Lift so I will definitely be reading through that a few times as well. Thanks for the help dude, expect another video of Shea's Bavaria when it's all done!

Also, can't wait to see the finished product of your e23, that thing is so sick!

[NegativeCamber]

Thanks man. Check my post again. Just added another 2 cents....

[CubbyChowder]

Thanks man. Check my post again. Just added another 2 cents....

Gotcha, we'll definitely try that.