Mad1stGen
Registered
Some of you might find this helpful. Below are photos of the 2nd gen front struts disassembled. After removing the top nut, the whole air bag assembly slides off the shock portion, just as I expected.
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jeremi/images/2n_gen_strut_1.jpg
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jeremi/images/2n_gen_strut_2.jpg
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jeremi/images/2n_gen_strut_3.jpg
The shock portion of the strut looks very similar if not identical to the shock from a Thunderbird. Many folks used the t-bird strut/spring assy and replaced the shock portion with an insert from Koni. It appears the same can be done with the air strut. Until I have the Koni insert in front of me, I can't be sure, but it looks like it is possible to replace the shock portion of a 2nd gen strut with a better shock. I don't know if this is true for the 1st gen struts as the bottom assy is made out of steel on them.
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jeremi/images/2n_gen_strut_4.jpg
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jeremi/images/2n_gen_strut_5.jpg
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jeremi/images/2n_gen_strut_6.jpg
Below, just for comparison purposes, are some photos from the archives. I believe this is the spring conversion done by ashman5 to his mark viii using front T-bird struts. Notice that the bottom spring stop is at different height, but the shock sleeve apears to be the same. As long as the inside diameter is the same (???), I think we can use the Koni inserts designed for the T-bird.
http://webpages.charter.net/aarichardson/Lincoln_Pics/Koni_Install/03.JPG
http://webpages.charter.net/aarichardson/Lincoln_Pics/Koni_Install/01.JPG
http://webpages.charter.net/aarichardson/Lincoln_Pics/Koni_Install/04.JPG
http://webpages.charter.net/aarichardson/Lincoln_Pics/Koni_Install/06.JPG
Any input greatly appreciated.
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jeremi/images/2n_gen_strut_1.jpg
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jeremi/images/2n_gen_strut_2.jpg
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jeremi/images/2n_gen_strut_3.jpg
The shock portion of the strut looks very similar if not identical to the shock from a Thunderbird. Many folks used the t-bird strut/spring assy and replaced the shock portion with an insert from Koni. It appears the same can be done with the air strut. Until I have the Koni insert in front of me, I can't be sure, but it looks like it is possible to replace the shock portion of a 2nd gen strut with a better shock. I don't know if this is true for the 1st gen struts as the bottom assy is made out of steel on them.
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jeremi/images/2n_gen_strut_4.jpg
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jeremi/images/2n_gen_strut_5.jpg
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jeremi/images/2n_gen_strut_6.jpg
Below, just for comparison purposes, are some photos from the archives. I believe this is the spring conversion done by ashman5 to his mark viii using front T-bird struts. Notice that the bottom spring stop is at different height, but the shock sleeve apears to be the same. As long as the inside diameter is the same (???), I think we can use the Koni inserts designed for the T-bird.
http://webpages.charter.net/aarichardson/Lincoln_Pics/Koni_Install/03.JPG
http://webpages.charter.net/aarichardson/Lincoln_Pics/Koni_Install/01.JPG
http://webpages.charter.net/aarichardson/Lincoln_Pics/Koni_Install/04.JPG
http://webpages.charter.net/aarichardson/Lincoln_Pics/Koni_Install/06.JPG
Any input greatly appreciated.