EvaResto AirSistive '60- Rear Air Kit install Guide

                       

 

Thank you for purchasing an EVA air suspension kit. This guide should tell you everything you need to know about fitting and operating your kit, but if you have any questions or are unsure of anything, feel free to email or call us and we’ll assist as soon as possible!

This kit is designed as an easy to fit, well performing and highly practical air ride system for Swing Axle rear on ‘60- T1 cars. It must be used as assistive only, and Torsion Bar pre-load must be present to allow for proper and safe operation. Do not operate this kit without torsion bar assist! 

Installation is simple with the use of this guide, however we do recommend installation by qualified mechanics familiar with Air Suspension systems and Aircooled Vehicles!

Please note: This kit is designed for use with independent management types (4-way), and will perfom it’s best if used as so.

 

Parts list

Our kits are comprehensive and come with everything you need for proper installation.

We recommend you take some time, lay out all of the components and make sure you have everything listed present.
This familiarises you with the components and avoids confusion down the line during fitting.

Parts supplied:

  • 2x Lower Shock Relocators
  • 2x Air Sleeve Shocks
  • 2x 15mm Shock Mount Spacers
  • 2x 1/8” NPT to 1/4“ PTC Air Fittings
  • 1x Fastener Kit (see below)

Fastener kit:

All Necessary fixings are packed together.
Metric tools are required for install.

  • 2x M20 Lower Mount bolts
  • 2x M12x90 Factory Shock Mount upper fixings
  • 2x M12x70 Factory Shock Mount lower fixings
  • 4x M12x50 Springplate / End casting bolts
  • 2x M12x50 Button-headed bolts (Springplate / End cast fit)
  • 10x M12 Nyloc nuts
  • 26x M12 Washers

     

    Preparation

    Get yourself and the car ready for the job.
    Ensure vehicle is safely lifted and supported, using safe and correctly graded equipment. Wheels off, tools at the ready.

    Note: Your kit may differ slightly in visual
    design to the kit depicted in this fitting guide.

    Car Preparation

    To allow for this kit to be fitted, the car should be suitably ‘set up’ and ready for the kit to be fitted. As the kit works as an assist to your stock style suspension, it’s advisable to first re-index your springplates (EVA dropped/adjustable style are recommended) to a level you are happy with as an ‘air’d out’/minimum ride height.

    A good start point would be 1 outer spline down with our drop plates. Once this height is decided and suspension suitably level (one side not noticeably higher than the other) the kit can be installed. 

     

     Now for the install guide...

     

    Step 1

    Remove original shocks, and remove 3x M12 bolts holding the springplate to the driveshaft tube. 

     

    Step 2

    With original fixings and shock absorbers out of the way, fit the lower shock relocator. These are sided, so make sure you have the right one. Offer it up and make a start getting the new M12x50 Bolts through the assembly, with a washer used on either side.

    Use the special Button Headed M12x50 bolt in the hole closest to where the shock will fit (front-most). This special bolt is necessary for proper Airsleeve clearance. Fit the nuts the other side and leave loose for now. Note Orientation - the bolts must be fitted thread facing OUT!

     

    Step 3

    With the relocator loosely in place, fit the lower OG shock mount fixing (M12x70) in place, again with a washer either side and nut, loosely.

     

    Step 4

    Tighten down the 3x M12x50 fixings fully, 108NM is the official torque setting. Once these are sorted, then move on to the M12x70 fixing that passes through the OG lower shock hole. Tighten that down fully to 67.8NM. The lower relocator is now fitted.

    Step 5

    Now our attention can go to the shocks. Find the air fitting port, and the 1/8” NPT to 1/4” PTC Air fittings. Install these with PTFE tape or other thread sealant to MAX 10NM. They are a tapered thread and do not need to be tightened fully ‘home’.

     

    Step 6

    Now, we need to fit the shock. The shocks are not sided, but the bag section of the shock absorber can be rotated for optimal air fitting location. Offer the shock in to position, and fit first the M20 lower fixing. The shock must be fitted with the ‘shiny’ side of the lower bush sleeve (shown in image) facing the relocator. Spin this fixing in until hand tight.

    Go ahead now and fit the M12x90 Top Shock fixings. These pass through the top eye mount of the air shock, and into the OG shock mount of the chassis. Use the supplied spacer to fit between the shock and shock tower, like shown.

    The shock should fit without extra work, but in some cases, the metalwork of the body may need to be trimmed to allow for fitment. If this is the case, ensure adequate clearance is given, and the shock will not contact the body during operation. 

    Tighten these down fully to 67.8NM, and then the lower M20 fixings down to 110NM. 

    The hard brake lines may require ‘tweaking’ inwards for clearance from the air sleeve. It should not be necessary for the lines to be remade, unless they have been previously done in such a way that doesn’t allow full clearance. 

    Step 7

    Now repeat this process for the other side. 

     

    Step 8

    Once both shocks are fitted, the air lines can be connected and piped into your management system. As with every install, ensure lines are routed safely with no excessive movement and wont get trapped or crushed under normal suspension operation. The Air Sleeve section of the shock can be rotated by hand, and can be adjusted to a position where the airline exits in the best possible place. I find that running the airline along the axle tube securely clipped works well. Also, running like shown is also acceptable, as long as the line is allowed full clearance during suspension travel.

    Step 9

     

    Now that the system is fitted, the wheels can be refitted, vehicle can be lowered to the floor and tested out. First inflate the bags to 50psi, and then let it down to 0.
     With 0psi in the bags, the axles should be allowed to move into their lowest position. Sometimes rolling the car backwards to allow the suspension to ‘settle’ is necessary. Try 50psi in the bags and roll forwards. This should give around 2” of lift from the lowest position. 70psi should give around 3” of lift, and 90- 115psi should give up to 4” of lift.

    Please note: The system should not be driven on for extended periods of time at more than 100psi. It is also not recommended to drive on the system at less than 5 PSI, as this can cause chafing of the deflated air sleeve bag. If the lowest height isn’t low enough, an adjustment to the spring plates is needed. Either just wind them down a little (if adjustable type) or try dropping another spline.

    Before finishing up totally, ensure all of the fixings are fully tightened down and the air lines are free to move with the suspension. Also, check the bag isn't fouling on any components while pressured up.

    If the bag is allowed to fowl, premature failure can be expected. Do not allow the air sleeve section to come into contact with any components during drive pressures/height!
    If you’re unsure of anything please don't hesitate to get in contact.

    Now that you’re done...

    Have fun playing around with the system and get used to the way it acts under different pressures. Roadholding and general handling should be improved over a static dropped setup.

    Pictured here is a customers car fitted with this kit in the rear. Shown fully dropped, and then at 100psi for max lift.

    My own car I drive at 60-65 psi in the rear (5psi more in the drivers side to account for my weight), and then at around 70psi for me and a passenger, or when higher clearance is needed. I usually raise the pressure to 90-95psi for getting on and off of my very steep driveway without scraping the floorpan! 

     

    Just to recap on Recommended pressures:

    Minimum operating pressure: 5psi

    Maximum operating pressure: 100psi

    Ideal operating range: 40-90psi

    Dropping to 0psi is completely fine, for full drop when parked.

     

    Thank you very much for choosing an EvaResto suspension kit! We hope you’re totally happy with your purchase, and of course, would love to see/hear how you got on with everything so drop us a line if you feel like it!