Suspension Air Springs
The air springs in your vehicle are what keep it at the proper ride height. Using pressurized air, they support the weight of your car or truck and cushion your ride. In this article we explore how air springs work, how to tell when they are failing, and how to find the best replacement air springs when you need them.
How Air Springs Work
Knowing how your air springs actually function can help you learn how to spot problems and what to look for in replacements. When it comes to the air springs themselves, they operate simply by inflating and deflating. But how they get there is a more complex process:
- Ride height sensors detect a change in the road surface and send that information to the suspension control module.
- The control module sends instructions to the compressor to generate more air.
- Air from the reserve tank gets pushed to the air springs via the supply lines.
- The air springs inflate to provide the resistance needed to smooth out the ride.
As you can see, there are many points at which things can go wrong. However, leaking air springs are one of the most common air suspension problems. They will almost certainly need to be replaced at some point.
Early Warning Signs of Faulty Air Springs on Trucks and Cars
If the problem in your air strut becomes bad enough, you’ll see a suspension warning light come on on your instrument panel. This message varies by brand, but it all means the same thing — your suspension is unable to maintain the proper ride height. And more often than not, the air springs are to blame.
But there are a few ways you may be able to spot air spring problems before your car’s computer does, helping save wear and tear on your vehicle. Here are some of the telltale early warning signs of air spring failure:
- Sagging or leaning: If your vehicle sags or leans to one side — most commonly the rear — this is almost certainly due to the suspension, and more than likely due to the air springs.
- Nose diving: When your front air suspension is worn out, your car will sometimes dip down in the front and lift up in the rear when coming to a stop. This is known as nose diving and it usually means your car isn’t able to stop as efficiently as it should.
- “Drifty” feeling: A working suspension will feel responsive and “tight” going through turns. When air springs start to wear out, they don’t do as good of a job of distributing the weight of the vehicle through turns and it might feel like it is drifting when it does.
- Failing the bounce test: You can actively test your air springs by walking to each corner of your vehicle and pushing down hard. If any corner takes a long time to return to the right height or bounces up and down before settling into it, there’s probably an issue with that air spring.
How to Replace Air Springs
Replacing the air springs in your vehicle isn’t a terribly difficult job. In fact, a competent DIYer can usually handle the work on their own with just a few standard hand tools, sturdy support to lift the vehicle, and about an hour per wheel.
Even if you decide to take your vehicle to the mechanic, installing new air springs is typically a fairly simple job. That means you shouldn’t have to pay too much to get the benefit of having them installed by a pro.
What to Look For In Replacement Air Springs
Unfortunately, not all air spring replacements are made to the same standards. Some manufacturers make high-quality components that offer solid performance for years to come. Others cut corners to try and maximize profits at their customers’ expense.
Here are some of the ways you can tell the difference between air springs that are worth the money and ones that aren’t:
- Precision engineering: Some manufacturers repurpose parts meant for other cars as a “close enough” fit. Your air spring replacements should be designed to fit your vehicle, ensuring perfect fit and optimal performance.
- Performance materials: Air springs made of cheaper alloys and rubbers may look the part but don’t perform as well on the road. Be sure your manufacturer uses the proper materials for the job.
- Reputable manufacturing: While many quality manufacturers exist overseas, companies that produce their goods here in the USA can keep a closer eye on the process, ensuring manufacturers meet their standards consistently.
- Everything included: Your air springs require hardware to mount them and other accessories. Any good provider will include everything you need to install your new air springs. Some companies may not include them as a way to get to a slightly lower price point, passing that cost onto you.