(NON_NEON) air ride question

fearingdark · Post by **fearingdark** » Tue Jul 06, 2010 4:34 pm

i've been helping a friend out with his car. its an 08 camry se. he just put air bags (air struts) on it.

problem is, it makes an odd clunking sound when he is turning. the shop that installed it says it the bearings in the bag.

and it feels like he's driving a civic on chopped springs. very stiff and bouncy.

does anyone know how to remedy these things?

hes had them a week and already wants to go back to stock.

thanks

dtjackten · Post by **dtjackten** » Tue Jul 06, 2010 5:15 pm

what kinda setup does he have, also where did he get the kit from?? when they are bouncy how much air is in the bags???

remember more air in the bags more stiff the ride....

fearingdark · Post by **fearingdark** » Tue Jul 06, 2010 8:10 pm

its a universal air setup. he's got the ride height set about halfway up. not sure the psi

any ideas about the clunking?

SlvrACR · Post by **SlvrACR** » Tue Jul 06, 2010 10:27 pm

The clunking happens on alot of kits. Most people use needle roller bearings. He also is prob riding with way to much psi so thats why its harsh. I have bagged many cars so I have alittle knowledge, but I deff recommend the needle bearings since they are small and wont lift the car.

fearingdark · Post by **fearingdark** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 12:48 am

should he just learn to live with the clunking? or are they like regular bearings where you can fill them with bearing grease and have them act better?

and how would we figure out how low he can go and still drive normally? i figured we could just start just above pancaked and turn the wheel lock to lock and check for rubbing...good plan?

gtxtreme19 · Post by **gtxtreme19** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 1:27 am

The trick to finding a good ride height for your ride and area is trial and error. I had an s10 that laid rocker and would do it often but your idea works too just pick a height that's comfy and sexy.

I'd figure out what's clunking before I go throwing parts at it it could be something in the suspension hitting something static that should have been cut/notched/removed

fearingdark · Post by **fearingdark** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 2:00 am

how could i figure out whats hitting? put it on jacks and run it lock to lock?

any ideas are helpful at this point

SlvrACR · Post by **SlvrACR** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 8:45 am

The noise is prob the bag binding like I said because on the bearings. Here is a pic of what we used on most of my buddies cars and mine.

dtjackten · Post by **dtjackten** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 9:01 am

SlvrACR wrote:The clunking happens on alot of kits. Most people use needle roller bearings. He also is prob riding with way to much psi so thats why its harsh. I have bagged many cars so I have alittle knowledge, but I deff recommend the needle bearings since they are small and wont lift the car.

the bearings will almost pop... sometimes it almost sounds like a bag is "poping" or binding then poping back into place when the wheel is turned back, if this is what u r hearing then go with a different set of bearings and the problem will be fixed.