How distressing will it be when you get a bumpy ride while driving on the way to your destination? No need to worry because air ride suspension kits are convenient tools for a trouble-free experience while driving your car. The air ride suspension kits are designed to give comfort and bring a fresh look to your vehicle. These kits maintain stability and safety by adjusting the ride height based on the load weight and vehicle speed.
If you have little knowledge about this concept, then this article will be your guide to figuring out the benefits, components, and installation procedures of air ride suspension kits, and some top models to pick for your vehicle.
What is an Air Ride Suspension Kit?
An air ride suspension kit is a suspension powered by a compressor that pumps air into the vehicle instead of oils or pressurized liquids. Air suspension kits are used to decrease the vibration while riding on uneven surfaces and speed bumps.
An air suspension system generally contains components such as air compressors, air tanks, air management systems, shock absorbers, and control systems ( analog or digital).
The air compressor gathers air from the environment and creates pressure. The air tank is used for storing the pressurized air before entering into the piping system. The air management system controls and monitors the air and the temperature in the vehicle’s airbags.
Shock absorbers keep the vehicle stable when driving over a speed bump or a pothole and maintain a constant balance on the road. Control systems maintain the air in the car. The system can be analog or digital.
How it works
Air suspension allows you to make adjustments to your vehicle by using compressed air to raise or lower the vehicle however you need. Let’s get to know how the air suspension works.
- When the car is started, the air compressor starts to compress the external air.
- As soon as the compressor gathers pressurized air, it is stored in the air tank. The tank will store the air until the system needs it.
- To adjust the height of your car, the air needs to be delivered and for that you need to press a button which will give you a signal to the Electrical Control Unit (ECU). After receiving the signal , the compressor will be attached and the air will flow through the valve block.
- The compressed air will flow into a 6 millimeter air line to the air strut and raise the vehicle. To lower the vehicle, you need to release the compressed air.
This is how the air suspension will help you to have a comfortable ride with perfect speed and balance.
Types of Air Ride Suspension Kits
Air ride suspension kits give a customizable and comfortable driving experience. They allow you to adjust your vehicle’s height and stiffness on the fly. Here are some different types of air ride suspension kits available:
Based on Components:
There are two types of kits in this category.
- Complete Kits: Complete kits have all the necessary structural features such as airbags, air compressor, valves, air tanks, control systems. There are also special features like lift kit, super duty shock absorber.
- Component Kits: Component kits offer individual components that can help customers to get what they need to replace.
Based on Functionality:
- Basic Kits: Basic kits provide basic height adjustment capabilities for raising or lowering the vehicle’s ride height. Suitable for a leveled look or improved ground clearance.
- Advanced Kits: Advanced kits also offer features like adjustable ride height , load leveling for a smooth driving experience.
Based on Vehicle Type:
- Car Kits: The air suspension components including airlift, ride height sensors, valves, air compressors, etc are generally designed for cars.
- Truck Kits: The air suspension kits are built for trucks and SUVs to reduce the bounce rate over rough terrain and roads when moving with heavy weights. The suspension system maintains a height difference between the front and back wheels.
- Motorcycle Kits: Air suspension kits including air springs, air lines, pressure gauge, high-quality hardware, etc are available for motorcycles providing comfort, safety and offer improved performance, and flexibility.
Besides there are some additional types like air strut kits, air over leaf kits, load support kits, air spring kits, universal air ride kits with unique features.
Benefits of Air Ride Suspension Kits
Is it beneficial for you to use the air ride suspension kits for your vehicle?- This question might have come to your mind by now. And the answer is affirmative. Let’s get to know some benefits that you can actually get from this.
Improved vehicle handling and performance
Air ride suspension provides the quality of smooth driving performance of the vehicle. The air absorbed from the environment boosts up the handling and stability of the vehicle maintaining maximum friction between the tires and the surface of the road.
Enhanced comfort and ride quality
One of the major advantages of using an air suspension kit is that it makes your riding experience more comfortable and pleasant on rough roads. Rather than using coil springs, using air suspension on the car’s tires makes the riding quality better and secured when driving.
Customizable ride height
Air suspension is the only option that easily makes the adjustments of the ride height with a touch of a button. By increasing or decreasing the air in the shock absorber, you can customize the ride height and even bring its original ride height if there isn’t any additional weight in your vehicle.
Aesthetic appeal (lowering or raising the vehicle)
The air suspension is used in replacement of springs and with the help of the compressed air to raise or lower the vehicle if needed. You can also prevent any damage or scrapes from the vehicle when you are driving on a rough road.
Increased load-carrying capacity
Another benefit of air bags is that they can stabilize the vehicle with heavy loads and keep a good balance on the uneven surfaces of the road. By adjusting air pressure, you can raise or lower the vehicle and increase the load carrying capacity as well as decrease the risk of the loads being damaged.
Besides, there are other advantages like extending the longevity of other components of the vehicle, reducing vibration and roughness on the uneven surface, fuel efficiency, better aerodynamics etc.
How to Choose the Right Air Ride Suspension Kit
After learning the benefits of an air suspension kit, we will now explore the part providing the guidance to choose the right kit for your vehicle.
Factors to consider
Some factors including quality, functionality, budget considerations, vehicle type should be considered when choosing the right air suspension kit.
- Vehicle type
Air suspension kits are generally used in luxury cars, SUVs etc. But they are also used in buses, trucks with load carrying capacity.
- Quality
When you are deciding to select an air ride suspension kit, you should consider the right one with high quality. The quality of the kits defines how well the kits will work on the road.
- Functionality
While choosing an air suspension kit, it is necessary to check its functionality. With larger air ride kits, you will get more functionality.
- Budget
You have to consider your budget when buying an air ride suspension kit. Decide to choose the right kit for your vehicle that can be managed within your budget. Keep in mind that if the kit is more advanced and larger, it will cost more. So, make sure to get the right kit according to your personal preference.
Popular brands and their features
Companies with well known brands always try to satisfy their customers in every way possible by selling the products with standard quality including various options. If we talk about the air ride suspension kits, then you will be glad to know that there are several types of kits from popular brands available for the customers in the market.
Customer reviews and ratings
Customer feedback and ratings play a vital role in choosing the right air suspension kit for the vehicle. Customers who already bought kits for their vehicle express their satisfaction or complaints through ratings and reviews. It will be helpful for you to check the reviews before choosing a suitable kit for your vehicle.
Top Picks for Air Ride Suspension Kits
Air Lift Performance is known for their advanced control system and reliable performance. Their kits offer customisable settings, improved handling, and easy adjustable ride height. But their products have higher price points.
Firestone Ride-Rate is popular for their durability and load handling capabilities. Their kits have braking effectiveness and easily absorb road shock. They are affordable and easy to use but they have basic control options which might not be worth using for some vehicles.
They offer high performance air suspension systems with large flow air valves and excellent ride quality. The components are well designed and are high quality. They offer more options to refine the air suspension. Although they have many features, it has complex installation requirements.
How to Install an Air Ride Suspension
Here is the step by step guide for installing the air ride suspension kit in your vehicle :
- Before installing the air ride suspension kit, you need to make sure all the necessary components and equipment (safety gears, extra tire, socket, wrenches, hydraulic stand etc) are gathered for the installation process.
- Use a hydraulic stand to raise your vehicle and remove the wheels so that you can install the air suspension system without any hassle.
- Remove the suspension components from your vehicle that are attached already.
- Mount the air compressor, control system in your vehicle.
- Connect all the air lines from the airbags to the compressor. Make sure to check them after connecting securely.
- After testing the air suspension system, reattach the wheels and remove the hydraulic jack from the vehicle.
By following these instructions, you can easily install the air suspension kit on your vehicle.
Installation considerations (DIY vs professional installation)
Although it is possible to install an air suspension kit by yourself, you may face some difficulties that may be beyond your understanding. Also the specified equipment and detailed instructions for the installation process is necessary. If you are not familiar with these things then it will be best for you to seek help from the professionals, technicians, mechanics to do the installation because they have the idea of different air suspension kits and their characteristics.
Maintenance and Care of an Air Suspension
Proper and regular maintenance of air suspension kits is crucial to prolong the warranty period of the components. Here is how you can maintain the air suspension kits of your vehicle.
- Make sure to check the air lines and connections. If there is any sort of leak, the components will be damaged.
- Check air bag pressure regularly. If you don’t know how to, then bring a technician or professional to check if the air pressure is normal.
- Monitor air compressors regularly. Check its temperature and air pressure and test its performance thoroughly.
- When testing the air suspension system, make sure there aren’t any unusual noises or vibration. If there is any noise detected then address the issue immediately.
- Regular cleaning can reduce the tear and wear of the vehicle.
Troubleshooting common air ride issues
There are several common issues with the air suspension kits that you may encounter.
- Damaged airlines, damaged air tanks can cause air leaks. Due to air leaks, the compressor burns out. In that case, replace the damaged components and compressor.
- If the air leaks from the air suspension system, it can cause uneven ride height. You may encounter problems while driving. To solve this problem, use measuring tools to adjust the height of every corner of your vehicle.
- Electrical connection problems can cause damage to the compressor. If there is a problem with the compressor it will make vibration along with noises. If something like this happens, replace the compressor as soon as possible.
Conclusion
Despite having some demerits of using an air ride suspension kit for the vehicle, it has numerous benefits for your daily driving experience. It gives you a smooth riding experience along with safety, comfort and stability. So, you should understand the importance of the air suspension system and maintain it regularly in order to make sure it can ensure your riding safety for a long time. After learning about the concept of air suspension kits, now you know how useful it is that spending money on this won’t go in vain.