Procedure for removing and replacing the rear air spring (air bag) suspension component on a 1966 Chevrolet Corvette with independent rear suspension.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Air spring assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification or equivalent aftermarket
• Air spring mounting hardware kit × 1 — Includes upper and lower mounting bolts/nuts
• Air line fitting O-rings × 2 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid ground and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks in front of front wheels
3. Locate air suspension compressor (typically mounted in passenger-side rear compartment) and disconnect power to prevent accidental pressurization
4. Release all air pressure from the rear air spring system using the manual deflate valve or by running the compressor dump cycle
5. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts while vehicle is still on ground

Procedure

1. 1

   Raise and support vehicle
   Raise the rear of the vehicle using a floor jack at the differential center section. Once raised sufficiently, place jack stands under the frame rails just forward of the rear suspension mounting points. Lower the vehicle onto the jack stands. The suspension should hang freely with the air spring in an unloaded state. Remove the rear wheel on the side being serviced.
2. 2

   Disconnect air supply line
   Locate the air supply line connection at the top of the air spring assembly. The line connects to the air spring via a push-to-connect or threaded fitting. If push-to-connect, depress the collar and pull the line straight out. If threaded, use a 1/2" wrench to loosen the fitting at the air spring. Cap or plug the open air line to prevent contamination.
3. 3

   Support the trailing arm
   Position a floor jack under the trailing arm near the spring mount location to provide slight upward support. This prevents the suspension from dropping excessively when the air spring is removed and helps align components during reinstallation. Apply only enough pressure to barely contact the trailing arm, not to lift it.
4. 4

   Remove upper air spring mounting fasteners
   Locate the upper mounting bracket where the air spring attaches to the frame. Remove the 2 mounting bolts securing the upper air spring bracket to the frame using a 9/16" socket and ratchet. These bolts pass through the frame mount and into the upper air spring bracket. Support the air spring assembly as you remove the final fastener.
5. 5

   Remove lower air spring mounting fasteners
   Access the lower air spring mounting point on the trailing arm or lower control arm. Remove the 2 mounting bolts securing the lower air spring bracket using a 9/16" socket and ratchet. The air spring assembly should now be free from the vehicle.
6. 6

   Remove air spring assembly
   Carefully lower and remove the air spring assembly from the suspension. Maneuver it out through the wheel well opening. Inspect the mounting brackets on both the vehicle and the old air spring for damage, corrosion, or wear. Clean mounting surfaces with a wire brush if necessary.
7. 7

   Prepare new air spring
   Unpack the new air spring assembly and verify it matches the original in size and mounting configuration. Check that all mounting brackets are properly attached and that the air fitting port is undamaged. Install new O-rings on the air line fitting if provided in the kit.
8. 8

   Install lower mounting point
   Position the new air spring assembly into the suspension, aligning the lower mounting bracket with the holes in the trailing arm or lower control arm. Insert the 2 lower mounting bolts and thread the nuts on by hand. Do not fully tighten at this stage. Use the floor jack under the trailing arm to adjust height as needed for alignment.
9. 9

   Install upper mounting point
   Align the upper air spring bracket with the frame mounting holes. Insert the 2 upper mounting bolts and thread them into the bracket by hand. Adjust the position of the air spring as necessary to align all mounting points properly before tightening.
10. 10

    Tighten all mounting fasteners
    Using a 9/16" socket and ratchet, tighten the upper mounting bolts securely. Then tighten the lower mounting bolts. Fasteners should be torqued to manufacturer specification if available, otherwise tighten to 25-30 ft-lbs. Ensure the air spring is properly seated in both mounting brackets and is not twisted or misaligned.
11. 11

    Reconnect air supply line
    Reconnect the air supply line to the air spring fitting. For push-to-connect fittings, push the line firmly into the fitting until you hear or feel it click into place, then tug gently to verify it is secure. For threaded fittings, thread the line fitting into the air spring port and tighten with a 1/2" wrench until snug. Do not overtighten and damage the fitting.
12. 12

    Remove jack and reinstall wheel
    Remove the floor jack from under the trailing arm. Reinstall the rear wheel and thread the lug nuts by hand. Lower the vehicle from the jack stands to the ground. Torque the wheel lug nuts to 70 ft-lbs in a star pattern.
13. 13

    Pressurize and test system
    Reconnect power to the air suspension compressor. Start the vehicle or activate the air suspension system to pressurize the new air spring. Listen for air leaks at the supply line connection and around the air spring body. The air spring should inflate evenly and the vehicle should rise to proper ride height. Spray soapy water on all connections if leak detection is needed.

Reassembly

1. Ensure all mounting fasteners are torqued to specification and properly secured
2. Verify air supply line is fully connected with no air leaks
3. Check that the air spring inflates symmetrically without bulging or binding
4. Verify proper ride height on both sides of the vehicle after pressurization

Verification

• With the vehicle on the ground and air system pressurized, verify the rear ride height matches the opposite side and meets factory specifications (typically 6-7 inches from ground to bottom of frame rail at rear)
• Perform a visual inspection of the air spring for proper inflation, no twisting, and no contact with suspension or frame components throughout the travel range
• Test drive the vehicle at low speed and verify normal suspension operation with no unusual noises, leaks, or handling issues
• After test drive, re-inspect all air line connections for leaks using soapy water solution

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