The 5 Most Likely Sources of Your Air Suspension Problems

ROXBORO, N.C. - Dec. 14, 2017 - PRLog -- So your car ain't riding like it used to. Maybe it's a little low to the ground. Maybe it's higher up on one side than another. Maybe the once cloud-like ride has become a little bumpy. Whatever the problem is, your air suspension is having some issues and you'd like to fix them.

While air suspensions are inherently going to fail at some point, some failures are much more common than others. Rather than going on a wild goose chase trying to identify a problem, here are five of the most common sources of air suspension issues:

5. The Air Springs

Statistically, most of you can stop reading right here. Check your air bags. Even if you think it's something else, check the air struts first. Most air suspension failures lie in these components.

Whether it's from moisture within the system, dry rot, wet rust or any other of a long list of issues, these rubber parts will ultimately degrade over time. Even a slightly improper installation or adjustment could cause them to rub up against other components in your vehicle and spring a leak.

If you are noticing a leak in the air suspension, check out your air springs first. If you can't see a visible hole, make a solution of water and soap and apply it to the surface of the air bags and watch for bubbles.

Make sure to replace all of your air bags at the same time. This will save you on inevitable labor costs. They are all made of the same material and prone to wear out at about the same rate.

4. The Air Lines

Next up on the list of "most likely to fail" is another rubber/plastic component--the air lines. The air lines in your air suspension carry the pressurized air through the system from one component to the next.

As they are made of flexible rubber and plastic, they are prone to being nicked or cut by road debris or improper movements of other components.

A leak in the air line can seriously disrupt the normal functioning of your air suspension. Use the same soapy water method mentioned above to look for air leaks. Be sure to replace faulty air lines immediately to avoid further damage to your system.

3. The O-Rings

This is where you hope the source of your problem lies.

The o-rings are located at any of the places in your suspension where the air lines connect. They are responsible for maintaining the seals in these places. They are susceptible to dry rot and other normal wear and tear that rubber components experience.

Worn out or improperly-aligned o-rings drastically reduce the efficiency of the system, either by leaking or blocking the flow of air through the lines.

The good news is that these o-rings are the cheapest and one of the easiest parts to replace. Consider yourself lucky if this is the problem.

2. The Dryer Assembly

Moisture is the number one enemy of any air suspension system. It causes damage to systems from the inside out in a myriad of ways. Therefore, the dryer assembly is a critical component of all air suspension systems.

Given that it is a mechanical part, the dryer has a limited lifespan. Once it starts to fail, moisture can build up quickly within the system and damage all of the components. It is suggested that you replace this dryer if you replace or repair the compressor.

1. The Compressor

This is the one you're hoping its not. The compressor is the "engine" of your air suspension. It generates all that air needed to keep the system inflated and pumps it into the system.

People usually notice a decline of function by the sound of the compressor. Once it starts to fail, it will make itself known by running very loudly, for longer than normal each cycle, or by not running at all. If you notice these sounds, have it checked out immediately. It won't get any better.

If you're lucky enough the compressor may just need to be oiled. The compressor is a very expensive and difficult component to replace. Use the same spray bottle method to determine whether there are any leaks.

If all of this sounds like a lot to be worried about, perhaps it's time to think about ditching that complicated air suspension in favor of a more reliable coilover suspensions. Strutmasters, one of the most trusted names in suspensions replacements, carries air-to-non-air conversions for an enormous array of vehicles. These kits allow you to change out that troublesome air suspension for a robust new coil suspension for a small fraction of the cost of replacing even a few original components.

Visit www.strutmasters.com or call the company directly at (866) 358-0127 to learn more.