Hello everyone! Gotta question about my 2004 xj8. I just bought this recently and I'm working on some issues that it has. Just finished with the headlight problem and before I go much further I kinda need to know about my suspension systen as I am at a loss on this currently. The struts on the front appear to have only 4 holes on the sides for the bolts but the pictures I've seen of the air shocks show 4 bolts holes and a fifth for the air line and the left shows the connection in the middle I'm assuming connect to the air control module? Now if someone has switched the air ones out for regular ones, my question is why am I only seeing the 4 bolts holes? I've read various comments regarding this and I KNOW I want air but what is up with these 4 holes instead of 5? I need to know what I'm missing here b4 proceeding. I love this car and it's one of my dream cars. I have no problem investing my money into it as it's pretty darn immaculate but I'm no expert. I can do anything with help from my uncle or someone giving me direction. I can't really afford to pay someone to do the work so. If any can give me any tips, I would much appreciate it. Thanks, Larry

 

Hi, Larry, Welcome to forum!
Your car is modified to have coil overs. Pervious owner took out air spring and replaced them with what you have.
What you see is remains of air connection. Here is what functional air suspension with leaking valve looks like driver side:


4 nuts hold shock on the top; air valve is to inflate airsprings; yours's have been removed and replaced with coilovers
there is one electrical connection in functional airspring. That is CATS adjusting suspension stiffness when/as required. Not available with coilovers.
Good luck an enjoy your car!

 

Hey thanks! Soooo, lol, is it possible for me to switch this back to the air suspension? Not tooooo concerned about the price of the air shocks but worried about what I would have to do to switch back what they modified up top. Can I do it with what they did up top without changing it? Thanks, Larry p.s. the ride is terrible with those coilovers, Kinda bums me out actually, really want that air ride back. I kinda remember when I was a kid didn't they sell like a standard air shock you could buy, maybe I can buy better shocks? Thanks again Big K!

 

Well just did some quick research and I guess switching back isn't happening although everything IS still there with the air system lol. So I guess now I need to find out which shocks are the best and offer the best ride because I don't think the coilovers that were used were very good. I'm gonna try to find out what ones they used but if someone can point me to some of the best I would appreciate that. Thanks, Larry

 

There are few different manufacturers for coilovers.
Large number of users, that switched to coilovers installed from Arnott but there are options including Europeans and Asian origins. To read up on subject search this forum for ARNOTT or coilover reviews.

I am sure someone with first hands experience will chime in.

 

Thanks man!!

 

Original Airstruts are Bilstein ( model B4) specific for the x350/56/58 two different sorts either comfort with a green dot or sport ( tinier airbag inside )with red dot. Can find them at a breaker and if you are lucky brand new for about a 1000 a piece
Bilstein
other brands would be Arnott Miessler Suncore

 

There must have been trouble so the decision was taken to swap to coilovers . I love the airsuspension and worked on a good 8 cars all with original air struts. Sdd on a laptop is almost a must . There are code readers that do read airsuspension codes and hight calibration. Icarsoft Lr 3.0 from 2005 suppose x356 on apparently ok . I have 2003 cars does not work on them.
arnott or cheaper compressor ,wabco is oe up to 14bar
referb kit for compressor by Miessler automotive or bagpinigandy new piston ring.
4mm nylon hose towards valveblock in the boot then air reservoir . 6mm nylon going from there towards front color coded. 4mm hose going to rear struts. Module wabco is behind rear seat back.

 

Bc racing fully adjustable hight and comfort seem to be the hit

 

Arnott have some coil overs as well