Anyone install Air Helper Springs on their CX-5?

[Kedis82ZE8]

I probably push load carrying at times and some have posted before these can help.

Anyone install air helper springs? If so, how difficult to install? Do parts of suspension have to be dropped?


http://www.etrailer.com/susp-2015_Mazda_CX-5.htm

 

[Srad600]

Albeit not on a CX-5, I installed a similar kit on a Jeep Grand Cherokee. It was super simple to install.

Basically all I needed to do was lift up one corner of the truck with a jack so that the suspension was at full droop. Compress the air spring with my hand and slide it in between the coils of the steel spring. Release it and it will fill back up with air. Cut the provided air line in half (make a clean cut) and push one side into the air fitting at the top/bottom of the air spring(your orientation may vary based on OEM bump stop). It will lock in place. Repeat for the opposite side. Then carefully route the air lines to where you want to mount your schrader valves. Watch out for pinch points, moving bits and hot items. Mount the schrader valves (I believe the kit I had came with a small alum plate, but if this one doesn't just make one) and mount to your hitch or other nearby spot. Then connect the free ends of the air lines to the valves. Ziptie any excess, and you're done.

Of course you'll need to read the directions as fitment on the CX-5 may differ slightly. But all-in, this install only took about 30minutes, including a beer or two and some QC. The system worked well for about five years before it went bad. For the price, I won't complain about that, I more than got my money's worth out of it.

 

[Chris_Top_Her]

I bought these for my old cx5 and ended up returning them as I totally overlooked the fact I was on H&R's. Very easy to install, bike pump to inflate ( or electric)

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

Thanks guys!!! Might pick these up... pretty cheap and even easier to install as I notice bottom of springs are open so no drilling necessary (as per instructions). eTrailer... (IMO: Great customer service) already sent me the generic install manual.

http://www.etrailer.com/instructions.aspx?pn=F4178

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

I went ahead and ordered a kit.

 

[Srad600]

Nice! One tip, don't overfill these. They take very few psi to give you all the spring help you need. Post some pic's of your install.

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

I see instructions recommend 5-35 psi. That will probably take some testing over time to find the right pressure. Bags themselves have a lifetime warranty but the other hardware is two years.

Instructions show putting air lines out bottom but all videos and what I would feel comfortable with show one taking it it out the top. If I take out through the top I will have to run back through the frame rails but that should not be too big of an issue as I see a small plastic access port I could remove to fish them through. I'll probably encase in something through this part to ensure there isn't any chaffing of lines.

Here is an install on a Sienna as an example of general install for those who haven't seen these before.

EDIT: I haven't decided yet where I plan to install the air line fill valves. I like that deflated basically takes you back to stock suspension.

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

I bought these for my old cx5 and ended up returning them as I totally overlooked the fact I was on H&R's. Very easy to install, bike pump to inflate ( or electric)

I thought about setting up with an automatic pump but not gonna go that far. I can plug my portable 12V compressor into the rear outlet if I need to increase pressure away from my air compressor.

 

[MikeM.]

I like that deflated basically takes you back to stock suspension.

It looks to me, even deflated, the air bags will come into play near the bottom 1/3 of suspension travel. Even with zero psi, the bag stays approximately the same shape and, if the suspension tries to compress the bag, the air can't exit so it will offer some resistance.

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

Not sure... I've never looked how far the springs will compress in an aggressive articulation of the suspension. I could try pulling some of the air out with my vacuum pump in a deflated scenario.

Hopefully the pros outweigh the cons...

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

It looks to me, even deflated, the air bags will come into play near the bottom 1/3 of suspension travel. Even with zero psi, the bag stays approximately the same shape and, if the suspension tries to compress the bag, the air can't exit so it will offer some resistance.

Looks like I will need to keep at least 5 psi in them.

http://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Suspension/Mazda/CX-5/2015/F4178.html?vehicleid=201514655

"Firestone specs them at an operating range of 5-35PSI. If they drop below 5PSI there is risk that the bags will not hold their shape and pressure and be prone to damage because they are inside of a moving coil spring.
Patrick B - 5/29/2013-Etrailer"

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

I did a little work this morning putting a fishing line in so I can pull air lines through later.

I did email eTrailer about a concern I have. The version I received was as pictured but looking at top of coil area I would think the metal piece sticking down in picture from top of coil will be abrasive to the bag. Most kits I have seen installed have spacers that come with the kit.

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

I emailed Firestone as well. If these don't last long due to wear issues I'd like some feedback from vendors for warranty or refund. Almost without exception all installs show the air line going out the top which makes sense to me for the afforded protection but the actual generic install document recommends going out the bottom. I will probably move forward with install in a couple weeks. I plan to encase the air lines in wire loom.

This kit appear to also fit the Lincoln MKS & MKT, Dodge Dart and Scion IQ.

 

[Srad600]

You could always buy some generic rubber mat and cut your own shims to protect the bags. Seems like a very easy mod if you're really concerned with longevity.

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

You could always buy some generic rubber mat and cut your own shims to protect the bags. Seems like a very easy mod if you're really concerned with longevity.

Good point... I might do that. Now thinking of material to make shims out of

EDIT: I really want to make this work as I know they will make a noticeable difference trailer towing or full cargo.

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

Firestone response: "You shouldn’t run into a issue. In most cases the air spring doesn’t fill the entire length of the coil so it wouldn’t touch. Also when these air springs get aired up they don’t spread length wise so they don’t push up and down. I don’t see you running into a issue."

 

[piotrek91]

It looks to me, even deflated, the air bags will come into play near the bottom 1/3 of suspension travel. Even with zero psi, the bag stays approximately the same shape and, if the suspension tries to compress the bag, the air can't exit so it will offer some resistance.

Firestone response: "You shouldnt run into a issue. In most cases the air spring doesnt fill the entire length of the coil so it wouldnt touch. Also when these air springs get aired up they dont spread length wise so they dont push up and down. I dont see you running into a issue."

Did I match the question with the response correctly?

I like the idea of these helper springs for leveling the car out/restoring ground clearance when fully loaded, but I would be concerned about the non linear nature of the air spring.
It seems like with the inflated air bag, the bottom half of the suspension travel would become pretty much unusable.

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

Did I match the question with the response correctly?

I like the idea of these helper springs for leveling the car out/restoring ground clearance when fully loaded, but I would be concerned about the non linear nature of the air spring.
It seems like with the inflated air bag, the bottom half of the suspension travel would become pretty much unusable.

I'll definitely report back on how they work. I'll yank them out if results are undesirable.

eTrailer just gave me a price match refund since I found the kit cheaper here.

I won't be installing for 2-3 weeks.

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

I can't remember if specs showed up anywhere but they are right around 7.75 inches long

 

[Chris_Top_Her]

I don't think quality is much of an issue here, these things have been around for a long time used in applications from light to heavy vehicles (rvs). At least you can say your on bags LOL.