Adding air suspension to your vehicle is a smart upgrade for a variety of reasons. Depending on the application, it can help a car meet aesthetic criteria, improve performance, and boost ride quality. For work or recreational vehicles, an air suspension setup can enhance functionality and even increase safety.
Like any modification, however, it's essential to understand air suspension thoroughly before installation. You want to know the ins and outs of its function, exactly why it's a worthwhile upgrade, and, most importantly, how to properly tackle maintenance.
As complex as they may seem, air suspension systems are pretty easy to get a grip on. While professional installation is recommended, even the average DIYer can build up a solid understanding and learn to manage air suspension maintenance with ease. We're here to help with that.
What is Air Suspension?
Suspension systems found in cars come in a variety of configurations, but the key components will always be the shocks and springs. The spring's job is to support the vehicle while allowing the suspension to articulate as conditions change. The shock's job is to control the spring rate. An air suspension differs by incorporating air bellows into the system that can either assist the springs or take the place of them altogether.
The specifics of the configuration depend on the selected kit and the application. In many situations, the air bellow is placed between the frame and the axle. In others, it’s installed inside of the spring. Sometimes, it's built right into the shock, sort of like an air strut. The latter is typically used to bolster performance, ride quality, and ride height while the former two are used to correct an offset in the suspension due to a payload. Of course, some applications may see a combination of both depending on the limitations and demands of the vehicle.
How Does Air Suspension Work?
Regardless of the type of system on your vehicle, all air ride systems work in the same basic way. A compressor fills the bellow with air, directly impacting suspension characteristics as intended by the designers. Performance and ride-quality-focused kits use specific air levels to stiffen or soften the ride. Ride-height-oriented vehicles use air suspension to raise or lower the vehicles, while load-leveling systems use it to reinforce the springs.
The method of adding air to the bellows depends on the selected kit. Kits can be set up with or without an onboard compressor and tank. Those without an onboard compressor have a valve stem (similar to a tire valve) that is filled by an external compressor. This setup is simple and affordable but lacks the ability to adjust air pressure on the fly.
Kits with an onboard compressor allow for in-cabin air pressure adjustments, providing more convenience and control. However, they are more expensive, take longer to install, require considerable space for the compressor and tank, and demand more attention to air suspension maintenance.
Air Suspension Maintenance Tips
Taking care of air suspension systems is nowhere near as complicated as you might be led to believe. There's really not a whole lot to them, nor is there really much for you to do.
An air ride suspension is comprised of the bellows and some air line. And depending on your setup, those lines will run to a simple port or a compressor and tank setup. That's it. (Really.)
Maintenance of an air ride suspension is as simple as periodically taking a look around and making sure the bellows, lines, and wires are clear of rot and abrasion. If the components are showing signs of damage, you simply replace them. You also want to make sure all the fittings and wires have good, solid connections, even if they check out on a basic visual inspection.
If the system has an air tank on it, you do need to inspect that from time to time as well. The biggest issue here is that they will collect condensation, as moisture from the air builds up within. All that entails is draining them about once a week to every two weeks, depending on how often you use them. Doing so is made super easy with a simple valve at the bottom of the tank. In the wintertime, add about an ounce of antifreeze to the tank to prevent the water from freezing.
Buying a vehicle with an air ride suspension already installed can be a bit nerve-wracking if you don't know who installed it or how well it was cared for, but the process of inspecting it is equally as simple. You want to repeat the process we just covered, with the addition of ensuring everything is mounted in the right location. It's especially important to ensure the bellows aren't contacting the frame or springs, as that will accelerate wear.
Picking the Right Air Suspension
Making sure your air ride suspension is up to the task starts by picking the right kit for your application. Considering it's our most popular segment, we're willing to bet a load-leveling type system for a truck is what you're really interested in. Firestone is the leader in that segment, producing bellows and components for work vehicles since it introduced the concept back in 1938.
For performance applications, Air-Lift is another brand to consider, offering excellent kits for controlling ride height on the fly. Ridetech is another solid contender in the performance division, especially for adding this feature to your muscle car.
In any case, don't just take our word for it. If you want air ride suspension on your vehicle, always be sure to research who makes the best system for your application and why. We trust the brands mentioned here and are proud to represent them. Remember, choosing the right kit is just the first step—proper air suspension maintenance is crucial to ensure long-lasting performance and reliability.