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Suspension System Troubleshooting

What Is an Air Suspension System?

An air suspension system is a style of vehicle suspension that's powered by an electric

pump or compressor that pumps air into flexible bellows that are typically made out of a
textile-reinforced type of rubber. Additionally, Pro Car Mechanics describes air
suspension as a replacement to the leaf suspension or coil spring system with airbags
composed of polyurethane and rubber. A compressor inflates the bags to a certain
pressure in order to behave like springs. Air suspension also differs from hydropneumatic
suspension because it uses pressurized air instead of pressurized liquid.

What's the Purpose of an Air Suspension System?

In most cases, air suspension is used to achieve a smooth and constant driving quality,
but in some instances, sports suspensions feature an air suspension system too.
Similarly, air suspension replaces a conventional steel spring suspension in heavier
vehicle applications, like trucks, tractor-trailers, passenger buses, and even passenger
trains.

What Is Electronically Controlled Air Suspension?

According to the company now known as Dunlop Systems and Components, at the start
of the 1990s, Dunlop developed and installed the Electronic Controlled Air
Suspension (ECAS) system on the 1993 Range Rover Classic and again on the Range
Rover P38A. The United Kingdom-based company developed the ECAS to include several
key features:

• Vulcanized, heavy-duty rubber air springs at each of the vehicle's wheels

• An air compressor in the vehicle's trunk or under the hood of the vehicle
• A storage tank for compressed air, which allows you to store air at around an
average of 150 PSI
• Valve blocks which direct air to the four springs from the storage reservoir through
a set of solenoids, valves, and o-rings
• ECAS computer that communicates between the vehicle's main computer to
calculate where to direct air pressure
• Air pipes connecting from the storage tank to the air springs that channel the flow
of air throughout the suspension system
• A desiccant-filled drier canister to keep the internal recesses of the system dry

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.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Air Suspension Systems

According to Future Marketing Insights, the total value of the air suspension market
at the end of 2017 was around $4.3 million. 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:

• More driver comfort due to the reduction in noise, harshness, and vibration on the
road that can cause driver discomfort and fatigue
• Less wear and tear on the suspension system due to reduced harshness and
vibration of heavy-duty driving
• Trailers last longer with air suspension because the system components don't take
on as much vibration
• Air suspension reduces the tendency of short wheelbase trucks to bounce over
rougher roads and terrain when the vehicle is empty
• Air suspension improves the ride height based on the load weight and a vehicle's
speed
• Higher corner speeds due to air suspension being better suited to the surface of the
road

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. The air suspension system keeps trucks level from side to side, especially in
cases where cargo is difficult to level. This results in reduced body roll when turning
corners and curves.

Even with the benefits of an air suspension system, Driving Tests New Zealand
suggests several drawbacks. Some of these disadvantages that so and so reports include:

• The initial costs of purchasing and installing an air suspension system — air
suspension can also sometimes reach three times the cost in repairs as a leaf
suspension system over 10 years' time
• Fuel overheads for running compressors for occasionally pumping air to the
correct pressure
• Fuel efficiency can suffer from the heavier weight of air suspension over the weight
of leaf suspension
• An air suspension system's vulnerability to air leaks can result in malfunctions

Some of the drawbacks of air suspension systems are because of some of the mechanical
issues they can be vulnerable to. Several of the common issues with air suspension
systems that can require repair include:
 • Rust or moisture damage from the inside that can lead to the air struts or bags to
malfunction
• Failure of the air suspension tubing connecting the air struts or bags to the air
system
• Air fitting failure resulting from initial fitting or infrequent use
• Compressor burn out due to air leaks in the springs or air struts from the
compressor constantly engaging to maintain the proper air pressure

Even with these common mechanical problems, the benefits can far outweigh the
drawbacks.

Sources:

https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/articles/air-Suspension-systems

https://procarmechanics.com/is-air-suspension-better-than-regular-suspension-
systems/

https://www.drivingtests.co.nz/resources/advantages-air-suspension/

https://www.dunlopsystems.com/product-range