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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 2)

Phase 2: Rear Air Struts Installation; Run Air Lines to Trunk; Control Unit Hook-Up

With the front air struts installed, Andrew now installs the rear struts in the same manner. He then hooks up the control unit inside the car, and he gets ready to mount all the air-ride components to a base plate in the trunk.

Materials/Tools:

standard shop tools
air struts
wire ties
split loom
standard shop tools

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Install Rear Air Struts

• Installing the rear struts follows the same basic procedures as for the front struts. The only thing to do for the rear install is to push the rear seat forward to get to the mount.

• The ride-level sensors in the back are just like the ones in the front.

• In the project car, Andrew found that the Accord had been converted from a dual exhaust to a single exhaust system. He found some exhaust brackets that weren't being used. He mounted the sensors to those brackets, and then he mounted that whole set up to the lower control arm. This will allow for a full range of movement without getting in the way of any moving parts.

	Securing the air lines
	Air lines and sensor cable, installed in the trunk

Run Air Lines

• Once all of the struts are in, it' s time to start running lines to the trunk, where the compressors and tanks will be housed.

• Using wire ties, bundle the front half-inch air lines toward the driver' s side, along with the two front sensor harnesses. Begin running them towards the trunk.

• Protecting the air lines in the system is very important. If one of the lines leaks, one of the struts will drop and make the car difficult or impossible to drive. Make sure to keep the lines away from moving parts like the steering system, and also away from any hot exhaust pipes and any parts that might touch the ground when the car is riding low.

• In the project car, Andrew found an existing safety track that shields the brake lines. He attached the air line to that to keep it up close to the car and away from anything that might cause a leak.

• Once you get close to the trunk, knock out the main drain plug. Line the hole with split loom before running the lines through.

Air-suspension control unit

Control Unit Installation

• Once the air lines and the sensor wires are safely routed, it' s time to hook up the control unit inside the car.

• In the project car, Andrew decides to leave the control unit loose rather than mount it to the dash. Doing this allows the system to be controlled from the driver' s seat, the passenger' s seat or even from outside the car.

• To keep the controller free, just tuck the wiring down between the front seats, under the rear floor mat, through the back seat and then into the trunk.

• In the project car, the battery has been moved into the trunk to allow for better weight distribution. This works well with the project because Andrew can mount all of the air ride components onto a base plate in the trunk and tap into the battery instead of running lines all the way up to the front of the car. Having the components on a base plate makes it easier to maintain the system and perform any repairs if need be.

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