Ofcourse I firstly asked ChatGPT

 

I crewed on a fast racing sailboat recently, and the skipper asked ChatGPT how tight to tune the rig before the race. It would have brought the mast down and overstressed the hull, destroying the boat, but luckily common sense prevailed and we didn’t follow what it suggested.

Anyways, you’ll want OEM VW air struts.

 

Are other brands all really that bad? I thought Arnott is going to be good based on price but I guess not?

 

Honestly, I remember in my youth how we were told to not depend on calculators for math.... as it would make us all stupid and unable to do basic math.... I used to think how dumb this suggestion was.... now I see it in real life... not only if I pay at a store with cash and some window-licker on the other side of the counter needs to "make change", but just look around.... I mean people ask ChatGPT for the dumbest crap ever these days! FML

 

I don't think it is that dumb, especially if you know how to use it and use it safely. It's a tool and of course the tool works as well as the man holding it can use it.
At least it gave me an answer (which I ofcourse fact checked and saw what other people think)... you didn't even give me an answer 😆

 

Your leaks are likely the seal at the top of the strut. Air up your car to the max ride height and mark the fender in reference to the wheel. Let the car sit for 24 hours and see which corner drops. Spray soapy water all over the top of strut and where the air line connects. Look for bubbles and you will likely find your cuplrit.

 

Thank you so much! All corners drop except maybe rear right. The front lowers quick, I think in less than a day and the compressor is so run out it takes a day of turning the car on, letting it pump for a few minutes and when the red running gear fault light comes on, I turn the car off and do it again in an hour. It takes 3 "cycles" to lift the car up to normal mode but even then I don't think it's really where it shout be at... do I need to remove anything in the engine bay to get to the top of the strut or where is the easiest to get to it? I checked the bag itself and the line with soapy water to see if there is any bubbling and there wasn't.... except if it could be the rear of the bag?

 

There is not a lot of info out there about air suspension brands for this particular case use. I have yet to install as still getting a few items, but I went out on a limb and bought Bilstein air struts. Not sure if they made them for the T1's. I am hoping this was not a mistake, but Bilstein generally has good quality and reliability. So hopefully they prove to a reliable option with good ride quality. From what I was told by a north American Bilstein rep, they are discontinuing production on these and only going to make enough for warranties or direct orders until materials are gone. So not even sure if this is a viable option now.

 

Wallmart sells them.

 

Oh shug

 

If your Air Suspension is leaking, it will NOT be a problem with the actual air struts, it WILL be the control/check valves on each strut. Usually the "O" ring sealing between the valve and the strut. Worth checking as they are cheap and simply replaced. You could find your problems solved.

If the suspension is dropping when parked, it can only be the above valves if it was a compressor problem the suspension would not lift. I know, I have had a pump failure.

 

Thanks man, will check it out. Just curious... are you talking about the valve where the air comes in the bag or are you talking about the o-ring on top of the strut itself?

 

The two seals are 5 & 6.

 

Amazing. Thanks. Can i remove the 1,2,3,4 parts at home while the car is sitting or does the air need to be let out of the system?

 

If you are looking at replacing 20 year old airstruts i did this with my front and went for Miessler in Germany for the stuts. they were replaced in Dec2022 with new pressure relief valves and still going strong. If you VCDS your compressor you can see health IE : how much pressure it is giving which will give an indication of health / performance if not that great do a rebuild. Kits are found online ie ebay etc. I then rebuilt my old front struts for emergency spares.