Rear suspension sleeve install

[svcglobal]

Here the diagram of my Fiat Tipo rear suspension.

Its curb weight is about 2700 lbs after the turbo mod I did.
The weight distribution is 65% front and 35% rear since it is a front wheel drive.

So, I did some maths and found Firestone 9000 tapered sleeve (plus a two inches aluminum cup and with 40-50 psi in each sleeve) is about right for the coils (4) replacement since the coils have 11.8" of fully extended length and 7.5-8" for ride height .

Could someone please check if that figures are correct? Thanks in advance.

Sergio

[svcglobal]

I am starting to believe that Firestone 9000 is not a good option. Looking now for a good 2500 double bellow bag. Is Airmaxxx any good?

[Oh Damn, it's Sam]

What information have you found to lead you to the conclusion that the 9000 isn't what you want?

I'm not familiar with Airmaxxx's products other than that they appear to make them primarily for the truck market. If you're looking for a double-bellows bag, I'd have a look at what Slam Specialties offers. Their SS-5s might fit well in there.

The only issue I see with a bellows bag in your application is that with how little weight is over the rear axle and the motion ratio of that rear suspension, I suspect your bag pressures are going to be very low. 20-30 psi would be my guess with a small bellows bag like an SS-5. I'd really like to see those pressures a little higher. Firestone 9000s would get you at least into the 35-40 psi range, which is a little better. Bag Riders also offers the Firestone 7076, which I've never personally used, but they're very narrow and would push you to 70 psi or so.

[svcglobal]

Hi Sam, thanks so much for your comments.

See, besides the fact of little weight on the back, the space I found last day to mount the bag is too short.
I need something with 6" high on ride, 7.5" up for bumps and 4.5" for low ride.
The 9000 works maximum compressed with 6.25" so, I think it is impractical.
Everything I am saying is theoretical since the first shipment of the components will arrive next week with a pair of 9000.
I need things in hand to think better, you know.

Yes, the fact of having only 20-30 psi on back is not good at all.

But, as I said, am I worried with the little spawn of the 9000.
I saw the PDF of the 7076 and with ride height of 7", compressed at 4" and fully extended at 10.5" looks good but I think it was developed for cabin handling with 1000 lbs per air spring.
Could be a solution? In the worst case the weight on each one will not exceed 500 lbs.

Bellows offer more stroke but I don't imagine how they will react with low weight.

I am completely blind in this matter so I really count on the help coming from this great forum.

[svcglobal]

BTW, the front system will be more easy to setup.
I bought a pair of 75561 Air Lift from my friend Richard of MDI Perfomance with an excellent discount.
Should arrive in 15 days.
But first I must finish the back.

[svcglobal]

[svcglobal]

Great tip, Sam!
Pair for $180 + $13 shipping @ eBay

[Oh Damn, it's Sam]

I'll be interested to see how those SS-5s work out for you. I have them all around on my car, and I think they're superb, but I'm still very concerned about how low your bag pressures are going to be.

Keep us updated with how it works out.

[svcglobal]

I'll be interested to see how those SS-5s work out for you. I have them all around on my car, and I think they're superb, but I'm still very concerned about how low your bag pressures are going to be.

Keep us updated with how it works out.

Found cheap at Amazon and due the distance two weeks or more of waiting time.

But of course I will. My bet is around 35-40 psi.

In the mean time I will open another thread about the 75561 that obviously will lead now the installation.

[svcglobal]

Great info for those of us just starting to get into air suspension! vaobong

The guru is Sam. I am starting from scratch about the mysteries of slamming.


Sam, just got today the Firestone 9000. In hands is more obvious to understand how this devices work and I realized that they will work ok with 6.5" of ride height.
So, from there I can go down to 5" and up to 7.5" (to avoid road bumps).
Will start to mount these on rear in a couple of days.
Please any comments are welcome.

This is the sleeve approx. at my rear ride height of 6.5 inches:






Sleeve at approx. 7.5 inches:






Sleeve at bump stop 4.1":

[svcglobal]

Rear spring removed.

There are already two cups in place where the coil was installed.
The one of the bottom already have a hole for the 3/8"-16 bolt.
Upper cup is about right dimension to do two holes for the installation of the sleeve.
Piece of cake...

ps.the low rider dog (John) is my supervisor.

[Oh Damn, it's Sam]

Looks like this rear suspension is pretty much a perfect fit for those Firestone bags!

Just make sure that the standoff on the LCA has enough height that the bag where it folds isn't going to contact any metal, even when fully-compressed. Sleeve bags are thin enough as-is; you don't need to help the situation with any rubbing

[svcglobal]

Looks like this rear suspension is pretty much a perfect fit for those Firestone bags!

Just make sure that the standoff on the LCA has enough height that the bag where it folds isn't going to contact any metal, even when fully-compressed. Sleeve bags are thin enough as-is; you don't need to help the situation with any rubbing

Yes, the bottom only needs a spacer of 1"3/4 to avoid any contact between rubber and steel.

If the final result with the 9000 will be not that good I can try the 9001. Exactly the same but with one inch less in the ride height.

[svcglobal]

More characteristics of the Firestone 9000:

[svcglobal]

Installed the sleeve bags in rear suspension.

Soon I will report how it worked out.