Air suspension how does it work

Similarly, air suspension replaces a conventional steel spring suspension in heavier vehicle applications, like trucks, tractor-trailers, passenger buses, and even passenger trains. Air suspension has also become popular in low-riding trucks like this gorgeous Dodge D Camper Special. The electronically controlled air suspension also features height sensors that are based on sensing resistance in contact with the terrain on all four of the vehicle's corners to provide height reference for all corners.

Additionally, further advancements are beginning to feature some Electronic Control Units ECUs that are able to fit under the vehicle's floorboard, making air suspension more widely featured in everyday driving.

So whether it's a manual or electronic air suspension system, the benefits can greatly improve the ride of the vehicle. Take a look of some of the benefits of air suspension:. Air suspension increases the transport capabilities of trucks and trailers by providing a better grip that levels the entire suspension. An air suspension system can also be adjusted for feel, so drivers can choose between a softer feel for highway cruising or a harder ride for improved handling on more demanding roads.

In the case of hauling heavy loads, air suspension offers more consistency and keeps all wheels even. Substituting the steel coil spring with a cushion of air this is what air suspension essentially is introduces a useful degree of adjustability. In place of the spring is a bellow usually made from rubber filled with air. Under load, the bellow is compressed, causing a decrease in volume and an increase in pressure.

If more air is pumped in, the bellow is reinstated to its normal volume or, more crucially, its normal height. As an air spring, the increased pressure means increased stiffness, which is necessary for the added weight. Air suspension systems now feature in numerous upmarket saloons, sports utility vehicles and station wagons. Some of them have air suspension only at the rear. The advantage of this is even when the boot or load bay is fully laden, the vehicle stays level.

Supporting the air-filled bellows or air suspension are a number of components not present in the regular steel-sprung suspension system. One of them is an electric or belt-driven compressor to supply air into the bellows when called for.

This sounds more complicated than it is — the setup is actually simple and sturdy. They cost more than conventional steel springs, and hence are commonly found only in higher-end cars. But they are also used in many trucks and buses. When you consider that an entire vehicle sits on rubber tyres filled with air, it will come as no surprise that a pressurised rubber plenum is capable of suspending a vehicle.

Feeling technical? Click here to learn more about air suspensions in greater detail. Skyactiv: What is it and how does it work? Porsche utilises 3D-printing technology for better bucket seats.

Similarly, a race driver would be looking for a different level of performance than the driver of a touring car. Top-of-the-line kits use a four-way system coupled with an advanced controller. Each air bag is controlled separately, but they're linked together by the electronic controller for dynamic and static control. When choosing a kit, consumers also need to understand the differences between pressure systems and ride-height systems.

Pressure-based systems monitor only the air pressure in the bag. This is fine in most cases when you want to do something like preset a pressure to lower a low-rider at a show. However, adding ride-height sensors into the electronic mix brings the kit to a new level.

Ride-height systems monitor how much a car raises and lowers while monitoring the pressure needed to reach each level. Ride height and pressure come into play in performance applications as well as work applications, like keeping suspension up on a pickup truck loaded with a few tons of mulch. The Internet offers a wealth of information, but it's better to talk to an expert, figure out what's needed, and set up a budget for a system that will work rather than one that's simply inexpensive.

Kit prices can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. In a little tongue-in-cheek attempt at reverse psychology, RideTech, one of the industry leaders in air suspension systems and components, placed the phrase "Do Not Open" on their installation instructions.

The biggest problem people faced in installing their new system was that they never read the instructions. The company felt that maybe people would actually open the manual if they were told not to. RideTech illustrates a very valuable point. Installation of even complex systems is possible, but people need to read the instructions and follow them. However, an installation should not be attempted by someone with little knowledge of how to work on cars; someone who has never worked on a suspension; or someone who lacks the tools and facilities to do the job safely and competently.

RideTech estimated installation for their muscle car bolt-on kits at 12 to 15 hours for the undercar suspension components, and an additional 10 for the compressor system. Add another five to six hours if you are adding a leveling system.

That said, proper installation will go a long way toward saving money by making sure all of the components work right and are set up to avoid the chafing that most often kills an air suspension system. Air suspension systems are designed to be airtight. Most problems arise when an installer doesn't take the proper precautions, usually outlined in the directions, to ensure the system is as airtight as possible.

RideTech approximates that 90 to 95 percent of leaks could be prevented if installers used sealer tape on all threads where advised, and routed lines away from possible chafing points.

The company also emphasized being sure that the bags themselves had the proper clearances so they didn't rub against part of the car, and that they were clear of hot components like exhaust pipes and mufflers. A careful and diligent installer would provide a system that could easily last more than a decade.

Another thing to consider during installation is tuning. Among the additions suggested by most companies is to change the car's shocks at the same time you change the coil springs to air bags. The change is relatively simple, but it adds another layer of tuning to the entire project. Air suspension systems are complex and daunting, but they can yield impressive looks and performance if installed and tuned correctly.

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