DIY Network

Honda Accord: Adjustable Air-Ride Suspension Andrew Totolos installs an adjustable suspension system that will raise (and lower) the show-car profile of a Honda Accord. From "Tricked Out" episode DTRK-410

(Continued from page 1)

The new strut and strut-tower bar, installed

Phase 1: Install Front Air Struts; Install Sensor to Level Suspension

To get the upgrade started, Andrew first removes the old struts and installs new high-performance air struts and the front of the car. He also installs a sensor that will allow the computer-controlled system to automatically level the car.

Materials and tools:

air struts
control unit
sensor (included with control unit)
air hose
standard shop tools
drill with bits

advertisement

	Strut-tower nuts removed
	Figure A

Remove Factory Struts

• In order to get the new system in the old struts first have to be removed. To remove the strut, back out the three bolts that attach it to the tower.

• Behind the wheel, remove the pinch bolt that' s behind the bottom of the strut (figure A) and remove the bolt that attaches the wishbone to the lower control arm.

• After all the bolts are loose, slide the wishbone off of the bottom of the strut and wiggle the strut down and out of the car.

• Now the new air strut, which is designed to be a direct replacement for the old strut, can be easily installed.

	The air lines to the new struts

Front Air Struts Installation

• Even though the air strut fits in the same hole as the old strut, they do mount a little differently, so first put in a new top hat and tighten it down.

• Drill a hole next to the strut mount for the air line to pass through. Pop a grommet in to protect the hose from the jagged metal edge.

• The air strut goes in next. Tighten it at the top, slide a wishbone over the bottom, reinstall the pinch bolt, and reattach the fork to the lower control arm.

• To finish up, spin the strut so the air fitting lines up with the hole drilled for the strut tower.

• Feed the air hose through the grommet, and slide the end into the quick-connect fitting on the strut.
  

• Next, Andrew installs a control sensor inside the car that will allow the computer to electronically level out the car according to the preset desired suspension. It gives the driver the ability to control the whole system with a push of a button.

• The ride level sensors mount in different locations depending on the suspension setup in the car.

• Mark where it needs to bend around the components before bending the bracket to fit and attaching it to the fender well.

• Connect the sensor arm to the upper control arm with the hardware that comes in the kit.

  Sensor arm

  Sensor arm

  
  

• Route the wiring for the sensor through an existing grommet.

• Plug the wires into a weatherproof connector, and then plug that into the ride-level-sensor harness.

• Repeat the process on the passenger side.

• Tuck the air supply lines down behind the engine to complete the front strut and ride-level-sensor install.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5